Overcoming Bias

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Overcoming bias at work for engineers

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This is a blog on why we believe and do what we do, why we pretend otherwise, how we might do better, and what our descendants might do, if they don't all die.
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Overcoming bias at work for engineers

Bruce Britton
Nov 10, 2007
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Overcoming bias at work for engineers

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While I am only an interested hobbyist when it comes to the theory and practice of overcoming bias, it looks like I will be gifted with the opportunity to explore this interest as a side project in my day job at a large tech company.  Specifically, to help design and deliver one or more classes in what I think of as the self-help side of behavior economics – what are the common human biases, and how can we work around them in our everyday lives?

So I thought I’d take advantage of the collaborative filtering aspect of blogging and ask you for thoughts about the most common biases that affect engineers at work, and pointers to information on the best ways of learning to overcome them.  Preferably at a fine granularity – blog posts rather than full books.  An example of the type of approach I’m looking for is Andy Hunt’s talk (and upcoming book) "Refactoring Your Wetware", which is about how the brain works, how engineers misunderstand it (focusing on the logical serial processing and ignoring the intuitive parallel processing), and how that applies to being a programmer.  Sadly it is not yet available as a book or online video, but I’ve requested a copy of the talk he gave at work so perhaps I can fix that.

I’ll post my own model for what I see as the key realization and skills in another entry, but I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject.  And if my investigations prove fruitful and I successfully develop some material, in a few months, I may even be able to put up some of the materials.

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Overcoming bias at work for engineers

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Overcoming Bias Commenter
May 15

What happened to mixed strategies and diminishing return ?

I don't think that the donors/investors should put all their resource on the climate change problem, or all on the malaria problem, or all on the malnutrition one.

A balanced "portfolio" is always best. On this I think all GWB (the Global Warming Believers, I mean) that have overcome their bias would agree, as would those of the anti-GWB that have overcome _their_ bias.

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Overcoming Bias Commenter
May 15

Hi Stuart:

I think we have made excellent progress.We agree that if the cost/benefit analysis is correct, and they do not benefit from the extra funding you expect, then they will go for the options with the highest cost/benefit ratios.

The whole exchange with you has been helpful in clarifying several matters for me. Thanks very much.

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