59 lines
2.0 KiB
Markdown
59 lines
2.0 KiB
Markdown
---
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name: Inversion Exercise
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description: Flip core assumptions to reveal hidden constraints and alternative approaches - "what if the opposite were true?"
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when_to_use: when stuck on unquestioned assumptions or feeling forced into "the only way" to do something
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version: 1.1.0
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---
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# Inversion Exercise
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## Overview
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Flip every assumption and see what still works. Sometimes the opposite reveals the truth.
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**Core principle:** Inversion exposes hidden assumptions and alternative approaches.
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## Quick Reference
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| Normal Assumption | Inverted | What It Reveals |
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|-------------------|----------|-----------------|
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| Cache to reduce latency | Add latency to enable caching | Debouncing patterns |
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| Pull data when needed | Push data before needed | Prefetching, eager loading |
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| Handle errors when occur | Make errors impossible | Type systems, contracts |
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| Build features users want | Remove features users don't need | Simplicity >> addition |
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| Optimize for common case | Optimize for worst case | Resilience patterns |
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## Process
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1. **List core assumptions** - What "must" be true?
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2. **Invert each systematically** - "What if opposite were true?"
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3. **Explore implications** - What would we do differently?
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4. **Find valid inversions** - Which actually work somewhere?
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## Example
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**Problem:** Users complain app is slow
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**Normal approach:** Make everything faster (caching, optimization, CDN)
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**Inverted:** Make things intentionally slower in some places
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- Debounce search (add latency → enable better results)
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- Rate limit requests (add friction → prevent abuse)
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- Lazy load content (delay → reduce initial load)
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**Insight:** Strategic slowness can improve UX
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## Red Flags You Need This
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- "There's only one way to do this"
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- Forcing solution that feels wrong
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- Can't articulate why approach is necessary
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- "This is just how it's done"
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## Remember
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- Not all inversions work (test boundaries)
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- Valid inversions reveal context-dependence
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- Sometimes opposite is the answer
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- Question "must be" statements
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