#129: Labour Perception Bias, Labour Illusion & Parkinson's Law
3 Ideas in 2 Minutes on the Strange Reality of Work
I. Labour Perception Bias
You have heard the story of the skilled mechanic who was called into a factory because a certain machine had stopped and wouldn’t run. When the job was completed the mechanic sent in a bill for $200.00 for only a few minutes’ work. This charge impressed the president as being excessive, so he ordered the bill sent back to be itemized. Upon its return it read this way — “Turning one bolt, $1.00; knowing which bolt to turn, $199.00.”
The popular anecdote is an excellent illustration of Labour Perception Bias. We tend to ignore the expertise and years of experience that went into work. All the practice it took to build unconscious competence. To get to a point where someone can complete a task with ease. Instead, we think work is more valuable if it takes time. Or how would you feel if I told you that I scribbled down this newsletter in less than a minute?
II. Labour Illusion
A related concept is Labour Illusion. It looks like consumers perceive a product more favourably if they can see the effort that went into it. So why not create the illusion of work being done? Here are two examples:
ChatGPT’s typing indicator reassures you that the AI is busily at work, which ultimately increases your trust in the results.
Instead of a blank screen, airlines animate their online flight searches so you get the impression of a computer sifting through thousands of airfares just to find the best one for you.
People don’t mind waiting longer if the process is made transparent through Labour illusions. We seem to prefer “artificial waiting” over instant outcomes even when the results are the same.
III. Parkinson's Law
Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.
Parkinson's Law is a popular adage that was originally about bureaucracies. They kept growing for no apparent need. This was because (1) officials wanted subordinates, not rivals and (2) they created work for each other. The law was coined by historian C. Northcote Parkinson in 1955, the man who also brought us the Law of Trivialities.
Parkinson's Law is still widely applicable today. If we have a task with a flexible deadline, we tend to take up the entire available time to finish it. Even if the task could’ve been completed earlier. Like this newsletter. It took me a whole day to finish it. I had nothing else to work on. 🐘
Happy New Year!
Chris
themindcollection.com