GlossaryConcepts, paradoxes, and mental models worth knowing.Economics & SystemsPhilosophy & LogicTechnology & EngineeringCognitive & OrganizationalAI & IntelligenceEconomics & SystemsJevons ParadoxEfficiency gains increase total consumption.Rebound EffectEfficiency savings partially offset by increased use.Tragedy of the CommonsShared resources depleted when individuals act in self-interest.Goodhart's LawWhen a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure.Campbell's LawThe more a metric is used for decisions, the more it gets corrupted.Metcalfe's LawA network's value grows with the square of its users.Philosophy & LogicParadox of AnalysisDefining a concept changes or loses its meaning.Paradox of ToleranceTolerating intolerance destroys tolerance.Ship of TheseusIf every part is replaced, is it still the same thing?Chesterton's FenceDon't remove something until you understand why it's there.Technology & EngineeringConway's LawOrganizations design systems that mirror their communication structure.Brooks's LawAdding people to a late project makes it later.Gall's LawComplex systems that work evolved from simple systems that worked.Streisand EffectTrying to suppress information makes it spread more.Cognitive & OrganizationalDunning-Kruger EffectLow competence overestimates ability; high competence underestimates.Survivorship BiasFocusing on successes while ignoring failures skews conclusions.Peter PrinciplePeople rise to their level of incompetence.Parkinson's LawWork expands to fill the time available.Lindy EffectThe longer something has survived, the longer it's likely to survive.AI & IntelligenceAgentAn AI that can use tools.Causal InferenceDetermining whether X actually causes Y, not just correlates.
