The Streetlight Effect might be limiting your vision.
How to venture into the unknown.
A Tale of Limited Vision
A police officer sees a drunkard searching under a streetlight and asks what the man has lost. The drunk says he lost his keys, and the cop joins him in his search. After a few minutes, the cop asks him if he’s sure he lost the keys here, to which he replies he’s not. The cop asks why he is searching here, and the drunk replies, “This is where the light is.”
It's our tendency to search for answers and solutions where it’s easiest or most convenient, even if that’s not the most probable place to find them.
We get most of our information from the first few search results, read the books that appear at the top of bestseller lists, and follow whatever topics are trending on social media. It's just inertia at work.
Search for information in familiar places or sources could also inadvertently expose us to Confirmation Bias since we’re more likely to find data that aligns with our pre-existing beliefs. Internet and social media has amplified this.
“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.”
— Helen Keller
By focusing only on what’s easily visible to most, we risk embedding the usual blindspots that also come with it. We miss out on hidden opportunities and crucial information that leads to non-linear outcomes. Recognize that the most significant discoveries often lie beyond the illuminated, comfortable zones we tend to stick to.
Expanding Your Search: Venturing into the Dark
The key to overcoming this bias is actively challenging our assumptions and pushing ourselves to explore less familiar territory.
- Let curiosity lead the way: Actively seek out perspectives opposite to your own and explore learning from unexpected sources. Follow the rabbit hole. Find books that cover the areas of your interest much deeper than most superficial bestsellers books.
- Question your assumptions: Take a step back and examine the beliefs and biases that might be limiting your search. Question the premises of your argument and the validity of your assumptions. Are you only looking under the streetlight because it’s comfortable, or is there a valid reason?
- Collaborate with diverse thinkers: Engage with people who have different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives than your own. Sticking to your usual group of friends with common backgrounds and beliefs won’t expose you to anything new. Decentralize your friend groups into small, varied and unconnected clusters. They can help you see beyond your usual field of vision and expose you to independent thought.
Conclusion
Breaking free from the Streetlight Effect is a powerful way to expand your horizons. You can venture into the unknown and uncover invaluable insights by embracing curiosity, questioning your assumptions, and collaborating with diverse thinkers.
Exploring areas which most never do, can help expand your horizons and find asymmetric opportunities overlooked by others.
So go ahead, step out of the light, and start exploring the world's dark corners — you never know what treasures await!
