Ask HN: Name one idea that changed your life

Air Force Colonel John Boyd came up with the OODA loop as a simplified way to explain a very complex system of observability and feedback that he developed. I read about this in the early 2000s and ever since I've been totally obsessed with the concept of learning, iteration and optimization - and it's the prime mover in my research and work motivations to this day.

There are many parallel theories and concepts in Reinforcement Learning and Control Theory such as Sense Plan Act, but the fundamental system is the same.

The OODA loop is often abused and the depth of Boyd's contribution to decision science has been underserved in my opinion.

[1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OODA_loop

Originally by Aaron Swartz http://www.aaronsw.com/weblog/hatethenews

Although I have slightly different takes from his and the level of avoiding the news might be different too, but the core idea that I follow these days is there.

I used to think following the news was a mix of my duty as a citizen and important for my life, personal and professional. Now I believe it's quite the opposite, I better understand the world because I avoid the news. These days I think it is as much entertainment as Netflix or comics.

There is no such thing as rationality of belief, only rationality of action.

both by NN Taleb.