Comment by morgancmartin | Hacker News Reader

Comment by morgancmartin | Hacker News Reader

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I've used that kind of information throughout my life as a marker to help me determine when it's time for me to move on to the next "stage" of development of my skill. It is similar in spirit to the quote (paraphrasing), "If you're the smartest person in the room, find another room", except substitute "smartest" with "highest skilled" perhaps.

Essentially, I see it as a meta-indicator, a way of making decisions in situations where I don't have all of the information.

Another way to look at it would be through the lens of game theory. Game theory is absolutely a field of some consequence, and it's all about relative positioning of agents in a system and their likely intentions after factoring in the likely intentions of their peers.

In a word, you might describe this type of analysis as simply, "wisdom." I find it to be of particular value in entrepreneurship.

I absolutely see where you're coming from but I can't help but think this strategy will only ever gimp one's ability to grow. I always think of the example of Lebron James. If he was always comparing himself to others he wouldn't have gotten nearly as good as he is. Especially since he's risen to the top end of the skill bracket. Comparing yourself to the people in the room only gets you better than the best person in that room. That strikes me as a very slow way to get to be the best ever unless you're in some supremely gargantuan rooms.

I think what everyone ought to do is only ever compare yourself to yourself. "Am I doing this better than the last time I did it? If not how can I do that?" It's a function that's always growing and the rate of growth is how much effort you put in. It's not bounded by the people you're comparing yourself to.

I agree. Comparing your ability to do X vs your peers can be helpful when looking for ways to improve yourself. A lot of people on this forum probably think of themselves as above average at some technical skill like programming or business development. It is useful for them to know that fact because it can help with guiding things like career opportunities. It is equally important to figure out what you’re below average at so you can take steps to improve that skill.

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