A little about human stupidity and irrational behavior

Only the universe and human stupidity are infinite. Although about the first I have doubts. (c) Albert Einstein

Surely, you had a moment in life when you needed to draw seven red lines, which should be strictly perpendicular, and besides, some need to be drawn in green and some more - transparent?

As a rule, people set such tasks with a very serious face. This is well illustrated in the following brilliant video, shot based on a no less ingenious story :


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What if you get into this situation? We will not consider the option “resign”, although it is often the only simple and correct option.

More complex options that immediately come to mind - to take at least 80% of the prepayment to discuss every detail, to paint everything on paper and approve with the customer, to make a prototype, etc. before implementation. It sounds rational. But why does this almost never work?

The problem is that if a person behaves irrationally, then none of the rational approaches most likely will not work.

In practice, this will mean that the prototype will be constantly reworked, the initial requirements and coordination will be lost, and the next discussion will add more questions than it gives answers.

- Are you dumb? What does gladiolus have to do with it? She is wearing a blue skirt. In the 16th century, it would have been burned at the stake. You are asked why? .. And so it is necessary to answer - "Because gladiolus" (c) KVN team "Ural dumplings"

The most common cause of irrational behavior (in ordinary situations) is just plain nonsense.

Do I have to argue with a fool? Most likely not, because in the process of discussion he will lower you to his level, where he will win on his territory. What to do?

First, you need to evaluate what will take more time - to do as they ask or prove their case? Once I, basically, chose the second option, but over time I realized that it was a waste of time, which often ended up with high HDS, but no customer .

Secondly, it is necessary to try to maximally translate all oral discussions into paper - to make a summary of meetings, record all agreements and compromises by e-mail or in documentation. This will, at a minimum, make a person have a slightly more responsible attitude in what has been said.

And finally, you need to estimate the amount of possible profits and losses in the case when you decide to complete the project in complete uncertainty and in the case when you decide to terminate the contract in the middle of the project without receiving payment. Sometimes it turns out that the second option is much more profitable.

How do you behave when you get into an irrational situation?