SEO - selection, election, optimization

"We should forget about small efficiencies, say about 97% of the time: premature optimization is the root of all evil." (Code Complete, Page 594)

Computer Scientists have deep insights into the alleys of life, as is evident from this quote by one of the masters of the Art. A predicament, that we regularly face, is to select or elect out the optimized choice. Most of us want to squeeze out the best of what life has to offer. This desire has led few to become great, maestros, masters of their art. But the flip side of the coin has a detrimental view... the unfortunate majority manage to often loose focus and spiral down the the track to mediocrity and eventually give up. Why?

"Choice, the problem is choice"

With more choices comes the burden of making the right selection. That they tend to defy all reasons for their singular existence, making the right choice from an overwhelming number of them, is enough to reduce your efficiency. And try to optimize even more, you'll find yourself at the fine edge between rational thinking and endless speculations with the dagger of if-s and but-s hanging overhead.

If you are convinced and think for a while, you'll be amazed at how often we do this in our regular life. Ordering a menu at a restaurant, looking for a tutor to enroll with, may be even shopping for the right toothbrush. Lets say, everything goes well and after an intense, nerve raking session, you select the one toothbrush that satisfies every single aspect that all those ads have convinced you is integral to save the last remnants of the 16 pairs in your mouth. You brush day in and night out, grinning with sheer pride as you remember the wicked bargain. But after a few weeks the bristles turn away from each other in utter disgust and its more of a toothbush than a toothbrush.

So what's the way out, I ask you. For me its summarised by Don Knuth in the opening quote. While decisions like selecting an university to apply to, choosing a career path does require careful planning and research, it would generally suffice to optimize on three factors - time, money, and something really relevant to the problem. There is no choice that is up there, floating above the other mere mortal choice-s, demanding a tuft of hair from your receding hairline as ransom. The choice you make after a little rational thinking and gut feeling, stick to work on it to make it the right one for you, the dots will join up after you look back. This is what I'm telling myself - drop in your precious suggestions.