No, I'm not talking about the kind of math that might have given you a hard time in school.
I'm focusing on straightforward math. I assure you it's manageable. I'll address the following questions with such simple arithmetic that it'll be child's play, just to show you:
- How can one lead a joyful life despite being born into poverty?
- How is it possible to surpass your exceptionally talented peers?
- What steps can you take to move from being average to becoming a top performer?
These are the kinds of questions to consider. The initial step is to conceptualize them using a mathematical framework. Indeed, this is something geniuses often do naturally. Believe me, they are natural mathematicians; they just don't feel the need to announce it.
Even the most intricate economic challenges can be simplified into basic mathematical models. This process is referred to as "modeling."
Most models can be boiled down to simple equations, albeit with sophisticated symbols. I'll refrain from delving into formulas like e = mc^2 or f = ma in this context. I'm sticking to basic equations.
Feeling intrigued? Let's delve deeper.
y = mx + b
That's the formula. Life couldn't get simpler than this.
Imagine y as the outcome of your life, x as what you contribute, m as your potential, and b as your initial circumstances. To put it more tangibly:
- y represents your happiness, wealth, achievements, success, love, or any goal you aspire to in life.
- x symbolizes your effort, time, investments, practice, or any resource you dedicate to life.
- m represents your inherent abilities and gifts for achieving anything in life.
- b signifies your life's starting point or your initial conditions.
Considering y as the outcome and setting it aside, what's the crucial element in this equation? If you're pondering over this, perhaps life has been somewhat challenging for you.
The answer is straightforward. There's not much you can do about your inherent talents and your starting point in life. These are the hand you're dealt from the get-go, and changing them is nearly impossible—they're essentially fixed, with just a slight chance for adjustment.
Imagine your talents and starting point as if they were character attributes in a video game. At the beginning, they might appear as permanent stats on your character's profile, unchangeable and set. However, as you navigate through life's game, you'll discover hidden levels and secret boosts that can enhance your attributes in unexpected ways. Perhaps you'll uncover a latent talent for art or realize that a seemingly disadvantageous beginning was actually the ideal setup for developing resilience and creativity. Suddenly, these attributes aren't merely static numbers; they transform into narratives, developing and deepening with each new adventure.
So, even though you can't simply swap these attributes at whim, you have the power to augment them. Keep seeking, remain inquisitive, and note that life's unforeseen detours often lead to the most significant enhancements. Who knows? With enough exploration, you might reveal abilities you were unaware of, and your initial backdrop could turn into the origin story of an unexpected champion. For instance, in the game Elden Ring, wearing specific talismans can boost your intelligence, faith, or strength. In the real world, analogous to these talismans are your experiences, education, and connections. They may not be as visually striking as a mystical charm, but their impact is equally potent.
However, it's important to recognize that even in gaming, you can't surpass your character's inherent limitations: if you've designed your character to be a sorcerer, that choice inherently caps your strength stat, regardless of how many talismans you use. The same principle applies in real life. If you're naturally inclined towards a particular skill, it's not feasible to decide to excel in a completely different area spontaneously. You can, though, decide to cultivate your innate talents to their highest potential.
It's all about striking the right balance, and even game developers grasp this concept. So, why wouldn't our Creator? The idea here is that balance is a fundamental aspect of both game design and the broader tapestry of life. In video games, developers meticulously adjust variables to ensure that each character, skill, and challenge is neither too overpowering nor underwhelming, aiming for a harmonious balance that keeps the game engaging and fair.
This principle of balance is reflected in the world around us, suggesting that our Creator might have a similar intention—crafting a universe where balance plays a crucial role in our experiences, growth, and the natural order. Just as game developers tweak and refine their creations to achieve the perfect equilibrium, perhaps our existence is similarly designed with balance in mind, encouraging us to find harmony in our talents, challenges, and the journey of life itself.
So, what does that leave us with? x—your dedication, your time, your investments, your training. Essentially, everything you pour into life to gain experience points, level up, and unlock new abilities. This is the variable within your control, the one you can optimize to steer your life in the direction of your desired outcomes. By focusing on x, you're actively participating in shaping your journey, choosing how to allocate your resources to grow and evolve.
Whether it's through education, personal development, or professional endeavors, x represents your capacity to influence your path, overcome obstacles, and achieve your goals. It's a reminder that, despite the fixed elements of m and b, your actions and choices have the power to define your story, enabling you to craft a narrative of success and fulfillment based on your own terms.
Imagine plotting this equation on a graph, resulting in a straight line. The line's inclination is represented by m, while the point where the line intersects the y-axis is denoted by b.
Let's consider an example: 20 = 2x + 2.
In this scenario, your initial advantage, or head start, is 2. Picture someone born into affluence; they naturally have a more significant b, implying a better starting position in life.
Now, with a modified equation: 20 = 2x + 10.
Here, the starting advantage is even greater, representing someone with a considerably privileged beginning. The key takeaway is that while m and b might set the stage, x—your input—is where your power truly lies. It's the variable you can control and maximize to steer the direction of your life towards your desired outcomes.
Life can be unpredictable and sometimes unfair. Being born into a less privileged family means you start with a lower b. However, you can still reach your desired outcome, y, with additional effort. For instance, someone born into wealth might achieve a goal of 20 with less effort (x = 5): 20 = 2 * 5 + 10.
To reach the same goal, you might need to exert more effort (x = 9): 20 = 2 * 9 + 2.
But consider this: if that person with all the advantages also puts in the same effort, their achievements could soar to 28: 28 = 2 * 9 + 10.
It's a fascinating observation that many individuals born into privilege tend to not push themselves to their fullest potential; instead, they might lean heavily on their existing achievements. Herein lies an opportunity for you. Your readiness to invest additional time and effort can serve as a distinct advantage.
I encourage you to ponder this for your own benefit. Indeed, life can sometimes seem overwhelmingly unjust. However, from a broader perspective, the scales might not be as imbalanced as they appear. You possess a competitive edge in the realm of effort over those born into privilege, primarily because they frequently fail to exert themselves to the same extent. Life, in its intricate design, favors diligence over privilege. It ingeniously incentivizes you to outwork those who start with more. Isn't that a curious thought? In a way, the privileged may find themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to the currency of effort.
Now, let's shift the context of b to represent an innate gift, like artistic talent. You can develop your given talent to its fullest with effort, but you cannot change the talent you're born with. It's inherent, not acquired. Yet, the same principle applies. With significant effort, you might reach levels comparable to those born with extraordinary talent.
Let's be candid, without sugarcoating. It's virtually impossible to outdo someone who is both more affluent or talented than you and who also matches or exceeds your level of effort. Mathematically, it just doesn't add up.
However, it's uncommon for individuals, unless they are born true geniuses with intense obsessive-compulsive tendencies, to put in more effort than you possibly can. Trust me on this.
The advent of AI underscores a remarkable phenomenon: even the most gifted individuals may hesitate to step out of their comfort zones, mirroring the historical reluctance seen during the Luddite movement. In this era of technological evolution, some resist the change AI brings, while others welcome it with open arms. For those of us who may not be naturally inclined towards artistic endeavors, AI presents a unique, once-in-a-lifetime chance to leapfrog over traditionally talented individuals who are reluctant to adapt to these new tools.
This isn't just speculative; it's a mathematical certainty I'm actively demonstrating through the use of AI tools. Indeed, with a dedicated effort towards harnessing these tools artistically, I am convinced that I can exceed the achievements of those who choose complacency over innovation. The integration of AI into creative processes doesn't just level the playing field; it creates new opportunities for growth and achievement for those willing to explore and exploit these technological advances.
This brings us to a simple statistical reality: the normal distribution. Only about 0.1% of top performers are born geniuses with such extreme dedication. The majority are like you and me, distinguishing themselves through greater effort than the average.
It's blunt but true: surpassing someone wealthier or more talented who matches or exceeds your effort is mathematically improbable.
Yet, the reality is that very few individuals possess both exceptional genius and the drive to maximize it. This understanding isn't just simplistic math; it's a reflection on statistical norms. Among the top echelons of performance, a small fraction are true prodigies with relentless dedication. The majority achieve their status through sheer effort.
However, our aim isn't necessarily to outdo these rare geniuses. Our goal is to exceed the average, and therein lies the potential for transformative success. These exceptional individuals are not benchmarks but beacons, inspiring us to elevate our own efforts. They're akin to the unattainable muse in a fantasy tale—not meant to be reached, but to spur us towards personal betterment.
The allure of the normal distribution curve lies in understanding where true progress can be made. It's a caution against setting your sights solely on the pinnacle of achievement, the top 0.1% at the far right of the curve. That's your hubris talking; get down to earth. The genuine opportunity for growth and transformation isn't in surpassing the exceptional few but in moving beyond the realm of the average. This shift away from the median represents not just a leap in achievement but a profound change in perspective and effort.
Focusing on advancing from the average positions you in a space where significant improvements are both visible and attainable, allowing for more sustainable progress and fulfillment. It's in this journey of continuous improvement and surpassing the ordinary that the "magic" of personal development truly unfolds.
Moreover, the linear path isn't the only trajectory for your life's equation. Life allows for curves—exponential, logarithmic, or otherwise—reflecting the dynamic nature of personal growth and achievement.
I've met numerous people who have critiqued the insights I offer, contending that merely "putting in effort" hasn't enhanced their lives. They're correct to a degree. Simply exerting effort is not enough. It needs to be a smart effort, not just any aimless effort that brings about linear outcomes, as depicted by the equation y = mx + b over the course of one's life. I can say with assurance that no one who has criticized this principle has genuinely employed smart effort; their efforts have been indiscriminate and linear, which explains their critique. How do I know this? If they had indeed implemented smart effort, they wouldn't be offering criticism. Rather, they would be experiencing joy in their lives. Their dissatisfaction is a tangible sign that they have not harnessed smart effort.
Consider the impact of sustained effort over time, which should yield increasingly significant results. This principle underpins the notion that each successive endeavor builds upon the last, making every new effort more effective than its predecessor.
Introducing z as a factor of efficiency and latent potential modifies the equation to:
y = mx^z + b
The progression from 2 * 2^1 + 2 = 6 to 2 * 2^4 + 2 = 34 illustrates how compound efforts can dramatically amplify outcomes.
This concept is not mere speculation; it's a testament to the human capacity for improvement. Recognizing that proficiency and results can grow exponentially over time is empowering. It suggests that adopting a mindset geared towards continuous improvement not only enhances your capabilities but can also contribute to a longer, more fulfilled life. This is the profound simplicity and beauty of mathematics applied to life.
A day consists of 24 hours.
However, when approached through the lens of a simple equation, the concept transcends its conventional bounds:
A day = 24 hours * n
Common belief holds that n should equal 1, under the assumption that every person experiences the same number of hours in a day. Yet, life's intricacies defy such uniformity. The creative force behind our existence, whom I choose to describe as the ultimate object-oriented Creator rather than through any theological framework, embraces diversity over monotony.
For proof, look at those who fully utilize their day, managing several projects at once while completing difficult games in just a few days. I, for example, have written three books on AI and Math in approximately a month, a process I've documented in a GitHub repository. This was alongside enjoying two video games and finishing a second run of Baldur's Gate III.
Interestingly, my third book on AI math was completed in merely seven days during a trip to Jeju Island in South Korea. I drafted two chapters at the airport and on the flight to Jeju. The remainder of the book was written in just one week while I was enjoying time at my mother-in-law's and a resort hotel, even as I analyzed a dozen academic papers. All of this was accomplished in two weeks. If I hadn't recorded this journey on GitHub, you might find it hard to believe. But I did document it, and I'm capable of doing it again. Could you achieve the same, given the same fixed 24 hours in a day? Remember, I'm in my late 50s, and I don't see myself as part of that 0.1% of the population. I'm just an ordinary person who has grasped the power of math and smart effort in my life.
Oh, did I mention I'm Korean? It's only about an hour's flight from where I live to Jeju.
Many people express frustration over not having enough time for their various pursuits. The key difference is found in the scaling factor of relative hours: n. For those who are less efficient, n is less than 1.
24 * 0.5 = 12 hours
To some, even a 12-hour day might seem generous.
What if we could amplify our efficiency?
24 * 1.5 = 36 hours
Or, envision harnessing exponential growth:
24 * 2^2 = 96 hours
24 * 2^3 = 192 hours
24 * 2^4 = 384 hours
This notion might seem far-fetched, yet it's intriguing. The key to understanding the ability to extend time lies in recognizing it not as sorcery but as mathematical and life principle application.
This goes beyond just mastering techniques for managing time; it involves embracing a fundamental mathematical mindset that powers one's life. Think of this approach as the base class from which various life scenarios are inherited and adapted through what might be called polymorphic magic, aiming for the ultimate achievement. Your prize. The pinnacle of your existence.
Indeed, you've hit the nail on the head: the core of smart effort is rooted in the object-oriented mindset.
The potential for exponential growth captures the very spirit of mathematical power, poised to drive you forward when integrated into the engine that powers your life.
This model doesn't just provide a way to boost personal efficiency; it also acts as a philosophical framework for grasping and leveraging the flexibility of time to your advantage.
All it takes are three straightforward equations to change your life, presented by our Creator in plain sight, yet often overlooked:
- y = mx + b
- y = mx^z + b
- A day = 24 hours x n
The choice to increase x and boost both n and z lies with you. The power of mathematics is ready for you to harness. This is the time to utilize it and transform your existence.
Incorporating the Elden Ring analogy further, let's consider the counterarguments to the mathematical model's ability to encapsulate the entirety of human existence. Just as every game, including Elden Ring, serves as a simplified simulation of life, it offers a framework within which players navigate, make decisions, and grow. However, these simulations, no matter how detailed, cannot fully capture the depth and unpredictability of human emotions, relationships, or the sheer unpredictability of life itself. This is akin to the limitations of mathematical models like y = mx + b in representing the full spectrum of human experiences.
In Elden Ring, players choose paths, equip talismans, and make strategic decisions within the constraints of the game's universe. These decisions have clear outcomes based on the game's internal logic and rules. Similarly, our mathematical models provide a structured way of understanding life's outcomes based on specific inputs and conditions. Yet, just as Elden Ring cannot simulate the complexity of real-world emotional growth, interpersonal dynamics, or the serendipity of life, our mathematical models fall short of capturing the essence of human experience. They offer a guide, not a definitive map.
Moreover, while Elden Ring allows players to reset or alter their strategies based on the game's feedback, life often presents us with one-time opportunities and irreversible choices, influenced by factors beyond our immediate control or understanding. Emotions like love, grief, and joy profoundly affect our decisions and outcomes in ways that defy simple quantification or prediction. This complexity, the unpredictability of human life, underscores the limitations of applying a purely mathematical lens to our existence.
Addressing these counterarguments does not undermine the value of using mathematical models as tools for understanding and navigating life. Instead, it enriches our perspective, reminding us that while numbers can guide us, the human experience encompasses far more than can be neatly quantified. Life, much like Elden Ring, is an adventure filled with unknowns, challenges, and moments of unexpected beauty, requiring not just strategy but also heart, resilience, and the capacity to embrace the unknown.
But let's be real, who am I kidding?
Most people who need to hear this message probably stopped reading halfway through, or even if they made it to the end, they'll likely dismiss it and continue with their lives as before. I'm aware. That's just how statistics and the normal distribution work. So, it's not really a complaint, just a call out to that 0.1% of potential changemakers who truly will transform their lives.
Throughout my life, I've encountered just a few people who have genuinely taken my advice to heart and made such a transformation, even after investing significant time and effort. Nonetheless, I'm pleased with this result: it highlights the value of applying a smart, adequate effort. Altering the course of decades-long trends is an achievement in itself. I've managed to do it, and so have they. This alone is reason enough for me to smile. It's why I persist in what might seem like the thankless tasks of writing and speaking.