When I’m not near the girl I love, I love the girl I’m near
Frank Sinatra says that clearly, and Rolf Dobelli, the author of a book titled: “The art of thinking clearly,” quoted that song to explain the concept of the availability bias — something that happens daily but too often goes unnoticed and could be disastrous for people.
The bias stems from the way people approach problems. They try to analyse and solve problem, depending on their preconceived mind. Which means, they figure out things whether or not the tools are apropriate for the problems. The minds will work with the familiar methods. It does not mean the methods you store are the correct way to approach problems.
Instead, the unknown treatment could be the better ones but since you don’t have ones, you never use them.
When you do not use the appropriate tools, it is as if you used your hometown map when you were in foreign country.
That’s why collecting more inputs is a productive way. You can’t rely on your existing mental models when the problem is new for you. New competencies can overcome the availabilty bias to bring you powerful solutions.
Lesson learned: you shouldn’t love the girl you near when you aren’t near the girl you love.
