Pulling The Thread with Elise Loehnen Is It Time to Stop Optimizing? (Coco Krumme)
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May 22, 2025 
Coco Krumme, an applied mathematician and author of Optimal Illusions, challenges our obsession with optimization, arguing it often leads to overlooking broader societal needs. She discusses the drawbacks of prioritizing efficiency over human experience and critiques the simplistic adoption of Silicon Valley models in government. Krumme emphasizes the fragility that stems from over-optimization, especially in agriculture and consumer choices, calling for a cultural reevaluation of food values and a more resilient perspective on technology.
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The Problem With Optimization
- Optimization has become a dominant worldview, but viewing the world merely as something to optimize is problematic.
- Even optimizing for 'right things' often means we serve the idea of efficiency, which limits holistic understanding.
Math as Art and Metaphor
- Mathematics is more of an art than a strict science, especially as it represents the world.
- Math's power lies in creativity and metaphor, not just in cut and dry calculation.
Efficiency Limits in Governance
- Efforts to optimize governmental operations prioritize efficiency but may ignore necessary redundancies.
- Silicon Valley’s abstract models of efficiency don’t translate well to complex bureaucracies needing resilience.
