Asymmetrical Risks: The upside is very small, but the downside is huge. Asymmetrical Opportunities: The downside is very small, but the upside is huge.
Being aware of whether an action is asymmetric helps us avoid crippling outcomes while making it easier to seek opportunistic actions.
Example: Texting while driving.
Benefit: Seeing a funny cat picture.
Risk: Being crippled for life.
Example: Unprotected sex.
Benefit: Short-term pleasure.
Risk: Contracting HIV for the rest of your life.
Example: Messaging people.
Benefit: Meeting a lifelong friend
Risk: One minute of your life lost.
Method 1: Think of an action you will take today. What are its positive and negative asymmetric values?
Method 2: Think of a concept. What actions would provide a positive asymmetric value, and what actions would provide a negative one?
I am going to Ubud from Canggu. What are some actions that would provide me with asymmetry?
I am working on Colonist.io (my game). What are some actions that might provide me with asymmetry?