Do Nothing, Then Do Less
Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
00:00
Pressure to Act
In situations like penalty kicks in soccer and medical decisions regarding cancer treatment, individuals often feel pressured to take action even when inaction might lead to better outcomes. In penalty kicks, goalkeepers are expected to dive to the left or right, although statistically, standing still increases the chances of saving the kick. However, diving gives the appearance of effort and minimizes blame if the goal is scored. Similarly, in cancer treatment, the concept of 'watch and wait' or 'active surveillance' involves inaction, which some find difficult to accept despite its potential benefits in certain cases where surgery or chemotherapy might not be effective in the long run.
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