Law of Triviality (Bike-Shedding)
We spend disproportionate time on trivial decisions because they're easy to understand, while glossing over complex, important ones. Committees debate the color of a bike shed for hours but approve a nuclear reactor in minutes.
Why it happens
Complex topics require expertise and effort to evaluate, so we defer to experts or avoid engagement. Trivial topics are accessible to everyone, so everyone has opinions and wants to contribute. Participation feels good.
How to counter it
Allocate time proportional to importance, not ease of understanding. Ask: 'What's the actual impact of this decision?' Defer to expertise on complex matters. Limit discussion time on trivial issues. Focus energy on high-leverage decisions.
Real-World Examples
Spending hours debating office kitchen supplies but minutes on major budget decisions
Lengthy committee discussions about trivial details while rushing important topics
Focusing on easy-to-understand minor issues while avoiding complex important ones
Quick Tips
- Allocate meeting time based on importance, not accessibility
- Ask: 'Are we debating this because it's important or easy?'
- Set time limits on trivial discussions
- Focus on high-impact decisions even if they're complex
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