The curse of expansiveness refers to the tendency of some organizations or individuals to constantly seek growth and expansion without considering the consequences or potential downsides. It is a mindset that equates more with success and overlooks the importance of sustainability and efficiency. **The main idea** behind this concept is that the desire for expansion can become a burden if it is pursued without careful consideration. Many businesses, for example, fall into the trap of constantly trying to grow in size and scope, even when it may not be the best strategy for long-term success. Expanding too quickly or without a clear plan can strain resources, dilute focus, and lead to decreased quality and customer satisfaction. Similarly, individuals may fall victim to the curse of expansiveness in their personal lives.
Another part of the problem is a little less obvious but a lot more interesting than you might think. Pinker ascribes a big source of messy writing to a mental process called chunking, in which we package groups of concepts into ever further abstraction to save space in our brain. Here’s a great example of chunking:
Pinker ascribes a big source of messy writing to a mental process called chunking, in which we package groups of concepts into ever further abstraction to save space in our brain. Now, if you combine functional fixity with chunking, and stir in the curse that hides each one from our awareness, you get an explanation of why specialists use so much idiosyncratic terminology, together with abstractions, metaconcepts, and zombie nouns.
Similarly, individuals may fall victim to the curse of expansiveness in their personal lives. Some people are always looking for the next big thing, whether it be a new job, a larger home, or more possessions. While ambition and drive are admirable qualities, constantly seeking more can lead to dissatisfaction and a lack of contentment.
Remember the "Curse of Knowledge" to Improve Your Writing
The internet is a wonderful thing: it allows anyone with a thought and a keyboard to become a writer. Unfortunately, it also means there's a lot of bad writing out there—most of which, says Steven Pinker, stems from the "curse of knowledge."
When many of us write about a subject, we write with an expansive knowledge of the topic at hand—knowledge that our reader often doesn't have. This, Pinker says, is the source of most bad writing today:
The curse of knowledge is the single best explanation of why good people write bad prose. It simply doesn't occur to the writer that her readers don't know what she knows—that they haven't mastered the argot of her guild, can't divine the missing steps that seem too obvious to mention, have no way to visualize a scene that to her is as clear as day. And so the writer doesn't bother to explain the jargon, or spell out the logic, or supply the necessary detail.
This isn't always intentional, of course—it's a hard curse to overcome. Pinker's advice, however, is common: think of the reader over your shoulder, get feedback on your early drafts (preferably from someone not "in the know"), and be sure to edit your own writing after having had a break from it.
It's not new advice by any means, but knowing the cause is just as important as knowing the solution. The more you explain the context, the more readers you'll be able to ultimately reach.
When many of us write about a subject, we write with an expansive knowledge of the topic at hand—knowledge that our reader often doesn't have. This, Pinker says, is the source of most bad writing today:
**The curse of expansiveness** can also be seen on a societal level. Many countries and governments have pursued expansion through colonization or territorial acquisition, often at the expense of indigenous populations or the environment. This mindset can lead to a cycle of continuous growth and exploitation, without regard for the long-term consequences. Overcoming the curse of expansiveness requires a shift in mindset. Instead of equating success with growth and expansion, organizations and individuals should focus on sustainability, efficiency, and creating value. This means carefully considering the costs and benefits of growth, setting realistic goals, and ensuring that expansion aligns with the overall vision and mission. In conclusion, the curse of expansiveness is a mindset that equates more with success and overlooks the potential downsides. It can lead to strained resources, decreased quality, and a lack of satisfaction. Overcoming this curse requires a shift in mindset towards sustainability, efficiency, and creating value..
Reviews for "The Curse of Expansiveness: The Relationship Between Size and Creativity in Organizations"
1. John - 1 star
I was incredibly disappointed with "The Curse of Expansiveness". The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, and it felt like the story dragged on for way too long. The characters were also poorly developed and lacked any depth or relatability. Overall, I found this book to be a tedious and frustrating read, and I would not recommend it to anyone.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
"The Curse of Expansiveness" had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself losing interest multiple times throughout the book. The writing style was also quite mediocre, with frequent use of clichés and underdeveloped descriptions. The ending felt rushed and unsatisfying, leaving many loose ends. Unfortunately, I cannot say that I enjoyed this novel.
3. Michael - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "The Curse of Expansiveness" after reading positive reviews, but it turned out to be a major letdown. The story lacked originality and seemed to borrow heavily from other fantasy novels. The characters were forgettable and lacked any depth, and I struggled to connect with them. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to fully engage with the narrative. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to avid readers of the fantasy genre.
4. Emily - 1 star
I found "The Curse of Expansiveness" to be an incredibly boring read. The plot was predictable and lacked any excitement or suspense. The writing style was also lackluster, with repetitive phrases and excessive filler descriptions that added nothing to the story. The characters felt flat and one-dimensional, making it difficult to care about their fates. Overall, I would not recommend wasting your time on this uninteresting and uninspired book.