What am I supposed to do?

Ever wondered that question? Sadly, there is no universal answer I can give you. But still, there is a process you can follow that is kinda better than “you have to figure that one out for yourself”, “do what makes you happy” and “just follow your heart, man”.

Introduction to the Explore/Exploit Algorithm

Imagine standing at a crossroads where one path leads to uncharted territories and the other to familiar ground. Which path to choose if you wish to maximize your reward function? Imagine you want to be happy. How can you be sure that what you do is the right thing?

This is the essence of the explore/exploit algorithm, a concept borrowed from computer science and applied to decision-making processes in various fields. It's a strategy used to determine the optimal balance between exploring new possibilities and exploiting known, successful ones. In the realm of machine learning, this algorithm helps in navigating choices under uncertainty, deciding when to test new waters and when to rely on tried-and-true methods.

It is an optimal method for finding out new things you may enjoy and spending time actually enjoying them. It helps you find the answer to the question in the title.

Exploration: The Quest for New Experiences

In its application to human life, the exploration phase is akin to the early years of one's journey. It's characterized by an insatiable curiosity and a willingness to experiment. This phase is about gathering diverse experiences, whether it's through traveling to unknown places, experimenting with different career paths, or diving into a variety of hobbies and interests.

The value lies in the wealth of information and knowledge gained from these experiences. However, akin to the uncertainty in machine learning algorithms, this phase comes with its risks and unpredictability. Not all paths lead to success, but each one offers valuable lessons.

When you're young, it's advisable to focus predominantly on exploration, perhaps following an 80/20 split in favor of exploration over exploitation. Indeed, even here, the far-reaching influence of the Pareto principle is evident.

Transition to Exploitation: Refining and Focusing

As one progresses through life, a shift occurs - or indeed, should occur, moving from the wide-eyed exploration of youth to a more focused exploitation of accumulated experiences. This transition is not abrupt but a gradual recalibration of priorities. It involves refining personal preferences and applying the insights gained from earlier exploratory phases.

In practical terms, this could mean settling into a career path that aligns with one's passions and skills, nurturing deep and meaningful relationships, or investing time and resources into hobbies that bring joy and fulfillment. This phase is less about taking risks and more about optimizing life's choices based on the wealth of personal history one has built.

Exploitation: Reaping the Rewards of Experience

In the later stages of life, the scale often tips heavily towards exploitation. This phase is about maximizing the returns from known and rewarding experiences. It's a period of enjoying the fruits of earlier explorations - be it in a well-established career, enjoying a close-knit family life, or indulging in passions and hobbies that have been honed over the years. The inclination towards taking risks diminishes, and the focus is on savoring the familiar and the cherished.

Once you've accumulated sufficient experiences to advance your level and feel confident that your preferences align with what's right for you, you shift towards the opposite end of the Pareto spectrum, marking the completion of your transition to exploitation. At this stage, exploration still plays a role, but it's more limited, constituting about 20% of your focus. The majority, or 80%, should be devoted to exploiting life's pleasures and joys.

The Dance Between Explore and Exploit

Life, however, is not a linear journey from exploration to exploitation. It's a continuous dance between the two, with room for exploration at any age and opportunities for re-evaluating exploitation strategies based on life's unpredictable twists and turns.

People vary in their approach to this balance; some might prefer a stable, predictable life early on, while others continue to seek new experiences well into their senior years. Major life events, personal circumstances, and individual preferences can shift the balance at different life stages.

As with all things in life, this is more of a good guideline than an ironclad rule. Results may vary and each individual is different. We are not Machine learning algorithms, even though we can learn much from their tricks.

A Framework for Life's Decisions

The explore/exploit algorithm offers a very useful framework to view our life's decisions. I myself refer to it all the time. It's not about strictly categorizing phases of life but understanding the natural tendencies to explore when young and exploit as we mature. This concept underscores the importance of both venturing into new territories and capitalizing on hard-earned knowledge.

It is as close an answer to what we should do with our lives as we can get.

Love,
Felix