Status
Decision Making
Alternative Phrasing
Source
Algorithms to Live By
The Explore vs Exploit framework is a concept derived from computer science, specifically from the field of reinforcement learning. The idea is that an agent, such as a software program or a human, has to make a choice between exploring new options (gathering more information) and exploiting existing knowledge (using the information already gathered).
The math shows that you should be exploring for 37% of the time.
If you want to find a cool job in 1 year, you should spend 4.5 months exploring your options before committing to learning 1 path.
You need to understand if you’re in the exploration phase or exploitation phase of whatever you’re doing.