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Law of Shortsightedness
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Law of Shortsightedness
Definition
People become trapped in “tactical hell,” focusing on immediate battles and losing sight of long‑term consequences.
Application Walkthrough
- Detach from Immediate Heat: Physically step away from the conflict (e.g., leave the room).
- Adopt the Mountain View: Visualize the situation from a high altitude, noting ripple effects.
- Consequential Mapping: List at least three downstream outcomes of the current decision before acting.
Origins
Greene’s adaptation of Stoic prosopopeia and strategic planning frameworks, first presented in The Concise Laws of Human Nature.
Key Thinkers
- Robert Greene
- Marcus Aurelius (Stoicism)
Related Concepts
- Farsighted Perspective (Mountain View) – the core mental model for this law.
- Law of Irrationality – short‑term emotional pulls often override rational planning.
Applications
- Product road‑mapping: resist scope creep by periodic “mountain view” reviews.
- Personal finance: avoid impulsive purchases by instituting a 48‑hour cooling‑off period.
Connected Sources
The Concise Laws of Human Nature
Get the Book
The Concise Laws Of Human Nature Robert Greene
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