Editor’s note: Besides following tech developments, our author is a musical composer (Juilliard-trained). He has provided a musical composition for you to listen to while reading this column. This piece is called “Major or Minor?.”
In the world of technology, the tools we use help shape how we perceive and interpret the world around us. Whether it’s a simple spreadsheet that lets us ask “What if?” or the concept of a multiverse, where an infinite number of realities can stem from a single moment, technology has given us powerful ways to view multiple perspectives. Understanding these tools and concepts can not only broaden our thinking but also help us make better decisions and navigate the complexities of modern life.
The concept of perspective is nothing new. Ancient philosophers were already grappling with the idea that our position and experience shape our view of reality. However, in today’s world, the tools and frameworks we have available allow us to explore perspectives in ways that were once unimaginable.
Take, for example, the humble spreadsheet. On the surface, a tool that might seem mundane or even mechanical holds the key to answering a fundamental question: *What if?* With a spreadsheet, you can explore different possibilities, test out scenarios, and assess potential outcomes with ease. It’s a tool that lets you zoom in and out of specific details while keeping track of the bigger picture. This is the power of perspective at work.
Many of us use spreadsheets in our daily lives without thinking much about them, but they enable us to approach problems from multiple angles, seeing how changing one factor impacts the whole system. By adjusting variables in a model, we can simulate future events, prepare for uncertainty, and make better-informed decisions. This shift in perspective—from focusing on a single factor to considering a broad array of inputs—helps us understand complex situations with more clarity.
Spreadsheets are one of the most accessible tools for incorporating multiple perspectives. They allow us to observe how different possibilities unfold over time, giving us a clearer sense of the potential outcomes of our choices.
The idea of a multiverse—multiple realities existing simultaneously from a single point in time—pushes this concept of perspective even further. In physics, the multiverse theory suggests that every decision or event could lead to a different version of reality, where each potential outcome plays out in its own parallel universe. It’s an idea that seems far-fetched on the surface, but when we look at it from the standpoint of perspective, it begins to make more sense.
Consider how we often look back at our past decisions and wonder, “What if I had done something differently?” Each choice we make in life spawns a new path, and every path leads to different results. The multiverse theory offers a fascinating metaphor for the infinite possibilities that exist in our decision-making process. Just as a spreadsheet lets us explore various “what if” scenarios, the idea of a multiverse expands on that by showing us that these different paths might not just be hypothetical—they could each be their own separate reality.
When we think in terms of the multiverse, we can let go of the notion that there is only one right answer or one perfect outcome. Instead, we can embrace the idea that many different outcomes can coexist, each valid in its own way. This expanded perspective can alleviate the pressure of making the “perfect” choice, knowing that whatever path we take, there are other realities where different decisions have played out.
One of the most powerful aspects of expanding our perspective is the ability to integrate information over a longer time constant. When we are deeply immersed in the details of a crisis, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. We may feel as though the world is closing in on us, with every moment pressing down harder than the last. However, those who can zoom out and integrate information over a longer period—who can take a broader view of a situation—are less likely to be thrown into panic by short-term crises.
This principle is rooted in a concept I encountered in the early 1980s when I joined a firm founded by an MIT professor. Within days, I overheard a peculiar comment: “He has a deep stack and integrates over a long time constant.” At the time, I had no idea what this meant, but it stuck with me. As it turns out, the idea of a “deep stack” refers to a computer’s ability to hold and manage multiple pieces of information simultaneously. The deeper the stack, the more information it can process at once.
Integrating over a long time constant, then, is the ability to take in vast amounts of information, not just in the moment but across time. It’s the ability to step back and see patterns, understand connections, and make decisions based on a long-term perspective. This is how complex problems are solved—not by focusing solely on immediate concerns, but by understanding the broader context in which those problems exist.
In personal terms, integrating over a long time constant means that, with experience, we become less concerned with immediate crises. Every challenge feels overwhelming when we are just starting out in life or a new job. But over time, as we accumulate experience and knowledge, we learn that crises come and go. We develop a sense of perspective that allows us to understand that what seems like a disaster today may not matter in the grand scheme of things.
This concept of perspective reminds me of the parable of the ten blind men and the elephant. Each man touches a different part of the elephant and, based on his limited experience, concludes that the animal is something entirely different. One man touches the trunk and thinks the elephant is a snake, another feels the leg and thinks it’s a tree. The reality is that the elephant is all of these things—and none of them. The key to understanding the true nature of the elephant is to step back and consider all the perspectives together.
In the same way, we often approach problems from our own limited vantage points, but the reality is always more complex. When we gather a broad array of data and consider multiple perspectives, we begin to see the bigger picture. This is why it’s so important to take a step back when faced with a crisis, to integrate over a longer time constant, and to remember that there are always multiple ways to look at any situation.
Technology plays a critical role in shaping our ability to see multiple perspectives. Tools like spreadsheets, simulations, and data analytics help us explore different outcomes and scenarios. They allow us to run “what if” questions, to predict the future, and to test ideas before committing to them. These tools enable us to act with confidence, knowing that we’ve considered many possible paths forward.
But technology is not just about managing data. It’s also about broadening our horizons. Concepts like the multiverse encourage us to think outside of the linear progression of time and reality and imagine that our choices today could lead to vastly different worlds. In this way, technology helps us break free from the constraints of a single perspective and embrace the richness of multiple realities.
In today’s fast-paced, information-rich world, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the constant flow of data and the urgency of crises. But by integrating over a long time constant and embracing multiple perspectives, we can gain greater clarity and calm.
Ultimately, perspective is power. The more perspectives we can integrate, the better equipped we are to face whatever comes our way. Whether through a spreadsheet or a multiverse, the ability to view the world from many angles is the key to unlocking the full potential of our decisions—and of ourselves.
