The Value of Inefficiency

I like the general thought.     Pure efficiency can make us miss things.   Its why  had second thoughts about optimization methods,  they could rarely be implemented directly, and their methods where often   did not give you enough hints at creative alternatives in context.  Podcast and transcript in K@W:

Edward Tenner discusses his new book about how too much efficiency kills creativity, innovation and problem-solving.

Technology is the undisputed champion of efficiency. Tasks that were once complex and time-consuming are now completed in the blink of an eye. But there is a downside to an abundance of technology. In his new book, scholar Edward Tenner explains how too much efficiency can kill creativity, which can turn off avant-garde thinking, innovation and problem-solving. He believes there is a better way to improve our lives through a combination of technology and intuition, and by exploring the random and unexpected.

Tenner, a distinguished scholar at the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation at the Smithsonian, spoke about his book, The Efficiency Paradox: What Big Data Can’t Do, on the Knowledge@Wharton radio show on SiriusXM. (Listen to the podcast at the top of this page.)

 An edited transcript of the conversation follows. ... 

Knowlege@Wharton: What’s so terrible about efficiency?

Edward Tenner: The problem with efficiency is that algorithms let us really learn from experience, they let us codify experience, they let us benefit, they recognize patterns. They are really tremendous at that. For example, I use the Google navigation program Waze. I first started out as a critic of it, but then I got into it more and more. However, the problem with Waze is that every once in a while, it will make a terrific blunder. If somebody relies completely on a system like that, no matter how brilliantly engineered, sooner or later some glitch is going to bite back. However, if they keep their awareness of where they are, if they keep their common sense, and if they keep trust in their common sense, then they can get the most of the program while avoiding those little disasters.

Knowlege@Wharton: Because we are so reliant on technology, are we losing something as a society, as a culture?    .... "