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brilee comments on On Journaling - Less Wrong Discussion

8 Post author: RobertLumley 10 February 2012 09:43PM

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Comment author: brilee 10 February 2012 11:57:22PM 1 point [-]

“A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked. A complex system designed from scratch never works and cannot be patched up to make it work. You have to start over, beginning with a working simple system. - John Gall

In other words, the things you record should not be an exhaustive list of everything you can think of; rather, it should build itself out of necessity.

Also - don't measure things simply because you can measure them. (for example, you're counting calories because you can count them, but it's really a waste of time when you can instead recite to yourself every morning, "I will eat healthier foods")

Comment author: rlp10 11 February 2012 09:14:06AM 2 points [-]

I instintively agree, but wonder what evidence exists (beyond anecdotal) for asserting successful systems which are complex only evolve from simple systems.

Comment author: RobertLumley 11 February 2012 12:09:17AM 0 points [-]

Did you misread that? I'm not counting calories. I said I'd like it, but it would take too much work.