The Basics Guide

Month: November 2025

  • Failure of Imagination

    Failure of Imagination

    Failure of imagination describes the inability to foresee major risks or opportunities due to cognitive blind spots and conventional thinking, as highlighted by the 9/11 Commission. It applies to events like Pearl Harbor and the 2008 crisis, spanning security, business, and social contexts. Mitigation involves scenario planning, diverse perspectives, and historical learning.

  • Eternal September

    Eternal September

    “Eternal September” describes the ongoing influx of new, inexperienced users disrupting online communities, a trend starting in 1993 with AOL’s access to Usenet. This constant influx challenges the maintenance of original community norms and highlights the effects of widespread internet accessibility.

  • This-or-Better

    This-or-Better

    This-or-Better is a goal-setting principle that emphasizes achieving a desired outcome while being open to the possibility of attaining a superior result. The phrase frames a mindset where the desired outcome is seen as a baseline, and the individual is encouraged to remain adaptable for improvements beyond initial expectations.