The False Promise of Optimization | Coco Krumme

Coco Krumme traces the fascinating history of optimization from its roots in America's founding principles, to its dominance as the driving principle of our modern world. Optimized models underlie everything and are deeply embedded in the technologies and assumptions that have come to comprise not only our material reality, but what we make of it. How did a mathematical concept take on such outsized cultural shape?
Krumme's work in scientific computation made her aware of optimization's overreach, where she observed that streamlined systems are less resilient and more at risk of failure. They limit our options and narrow our perspectives. Optimal Illusions exposes the sizable bargains we have made in the name of optimization and asks us to consider what comes next.
Coco Krumme is an applied mathematician and writer. After completing a doctorate at MIT and working in academia and tech, Krumme founded Leeward Co, a consultancy that helps research teams with computational science and strategy (aka data science) in agriculture, climate science, logistics, materials and biosciences. Krumme's first book is Optimal Illusions: The False Promise of Optimization.
"The False Promise of Optimization" was given on September 12, 02023 as part of The Long Now Foundation's Seminar series. The series was started in 02003 to build a compelling body of ideas about long-term thinking from some of the world's leading thinkers. The Seminars take place in San Francisco and are curated and hosted by Stewart Brand. To follow the talks, you can:
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[@lussonr]

I love this. For decades now, I've kept a similar criticism in the back of my mind. Instead of "optimization," I've felt that the devotion to "efficiency" is the culprit.

[@john_dee1431]

'Control is the shadow side of improving and maximizing' (25:28).

[@Tagraff]

I enjoyed the presentation. Although, I'm not so sure if I have the complete "click" in understanding her perspective -- unless it's just due to "Our task in doing the optimization everyday isn't really the goal." And that would be completely correct because we're very flawed human being that need to tend to our mental health, (ie: to relax, to wind down, to be as carelessly as possible). But of course, if we're GIVEN a task to do the optimization then it make senses to CREATE the solutions. It's really only the BENEFIT to the CEO once the system as whole has increased the performance. And absolutely, it's not a benefit for the worker as he/she would toiled down in speed, muscularize effort, in completing anything optimization to save money and benefiting greatly for CEO. We may differ in culture if we focus to the benefit of PEOPLE that will make them money, increase happiness, stability, or whatnot.

[@NickdeVera]

what's the alternative to optimizing? satisficing. disconnect between data on screen and the real world, aka the well-known "the map is not the territory." i want to think there's more meat here, i'll look at the book.

[@prithvishetty6938]

i think an alternative would be radical improvement