Tim Harford discusses the idea of subtracting things in order to improve and enjoy more by doing less. He explores the concept of cognitive reframing and prioritizing reading, and reflects on the challenges of implementing subtraction in our lives.
16:01
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Humans' Subtraction Neglect Bias
Humans tend to have "subtraction neglect," favoring additions rather than removing things when solving problems.
This bias means we overlook improving situations by taking elements away instead of adding more.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Lego Bridge Subtraction Story
Leidy Klotz observed his son fixing an uneven Lego bridge by removing bricks instead of adding them.
This illustrates natural subtraction as an overlooked but effective problem-solving approach.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Subtract Activities to Gain Time
To gain time for new goals, explicitly subtract activities—even good ones—that consume your time.
For example, watching less Netflix or skipping some New Yorker articles frees time for priorities like reading more books.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Tim Harford is a busy guy. He’s got two podcasts, has written 10 books, and has a standing column in the FT called the Undercover Economist. But recently he’s been trying to do less – and not just less bad stuff. He’s cutting down on good things, too, like kickboxing practice and reading New Yorker articles. The idea came to Tim after reading a book called Subtract by Leidy Klotz, in which Klotz looks at research that shows that humans have a bias against subtraction. Instead, our idea of fixing things often involves adding more. Tim tells Lilah how his subtraction experiment is going, and why giving up on one activity can help you enjoy the activities that you choose to stick with.
Special FT subscription offers for Life and Art podcast listeners, from 50% off a digital subscription to a $1/£1/€1 trial, are here: http://ft.com/lifeandart
-------
Original music by Metaphor Music. Mixing and sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. Clips courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
Life and Art from FT Weekend