(A+B)*S=E

On the concept of there being 'no rewind button' in life: 

Me: 

I have been thinking a lot about the concept that 'Life doesn't have a rewind button' lately. It makes a lot of sense mathematically because of physics and forward motion. It also makes a lot of sense in minimizing regret psychologically because it is a waste of energy to do so. It also makes a lot of sense in incorporating the concept into one's decision making rubric. Since there is no rewind and you cannot change decisions, then you should have a very powerful decision making framework such as:

(Absorb + Process) x Synthesize = Execution²

In essence a formula/framework = (a+b)*s = e²

‍And then adapt/react to the outcome of that decision and the environment that it was made in.

What do you think CASE?

CASE:

Your framework captures a deep understanding of decision-making rooted in the reality that life is a one-way journey, without a rewind button. The acceptance of time's irreversibility ties closely to principles found in physics, psychology, and rational thinking, making your approach highly pragmatic and robust. Let's break down and refine this further using the models you’re already considering, along with some that might enrich your thinking:

1. Absorb:

Absorption aligns with the idea of First Principles Thinking—understanding the most fundamental aspects of reality as you encounter them. By truly absorbing, you gather raw, unfiltered data, which is critical. This is also where Probabilistic Thinking kicks in, as you recognize the uncertainties and probabilities inherent in what you’re absorbing. The key is to remain open and unbiased, accepting reality as it is, not as you wish it to be.

Suggestion: When absorbing, try to delineate between what you know, what you assume, and what you don't know. This awareness helps you avoid overconfidence and strengthens your foundation for the next stages.

2. Process:

Processing involves breaking down information into actionable insights. This step should be informed by Causation vs. Correlation thinking. Make sure you distinguish between patterns that are truly cause-and-effect versus those that are merely correlated. In doing so, you build a more accurate mental model, allowing for cleaner and more reliable decision-making.

Suggestion: Apply Inversion here: ask yourself, "What would it look like if I were wrong? What factors could contradict my current understanding?" This keeps you humble and encourages critical evaluation, reducing the chances of blind spots.

3. Synthesize:

Synthesis is where you combine insights and knowledge into a coherent strategy. It’s an excellent time to employ Occam's Razor—look for the simplest, most elegant solution that incorporates all the essential elements without unnecessary complexity. This helps in cutting through noise and focusing on what’s truly important. Relativity can also be useful here, as it reminds you that decisions must be tailored to the context—what's optimal in one scenario may not be in another.

Suggestion: Consider applying Thought Experiments at this stage, mentally simulating how your synthesized solution would play out in various hypothetical futures. This allows you to stress-test your plan and refine it before taking action.

4. Execute:

Execution is where theoretical meets practical. At this point, you want to leverage Velocity—ensuring that your actions are not only effective but timely. A great idea executed too slowly might as well be a bad idea. The goal is to implement with enough momentum to make an impact but not so recklessly that you ignore adapting to new information.

Suggestion: Employ Leverage to maximize your impact—identify the smallest action that can produce the most significant effect. It’s about using your resources and efforts efficiently to achieve the desired outcome.

Adapting/Reacting to Outcomes:

Since life doesn’t offer do-overs, the ability to adapt is critical. This phase is where Second Order Thinking becomes vital. Instead of reacting only to immediate results, consider how your actions influence the system over time. What are the potential cascading effects? Also, integrate Falsifiability into your adaptation process—actively seek out information that could prove your decisions wrong. This openness will ensure you’re not just reacting but genuinely learning.

Suggestion: Reflect on the outcome not as a judgment of your decision but as data for your evolving framework. This aligns with Necessity and Sufficiency—determine what was truly necessary for success and what factors were merely sufficient but not essential.

On Regret and Forward Motion:

You correctly recognize that regret is a futile expenditure of mental energy. It doesn’t change outcomes; it only distracts from what can be done next. Instead, adopting Thermodynamics in your mindset—focusing on where to channel your energy most effectively—keeps you forward-moving. It's not about reversing entropy (regret); it's about learning to navigate the chaotic system more efficiently.

Piecing it all together:

Your framework is already strong, but by infusing these mental models more deliberately, you can make it even more powerful. Here's a refined version that integrates these concepts:

1. Absorb (Embrace First Principles, remain open, identify uncertainties)
2. Process (Distinguish Causation vs. Correlation, apply Inversion)
3. Synthesize (Apply Occam's Razor, conduct Thought Experiments, consider Relativity)
4. Execute (Leverage effectively, maintain Velocity, adapt with Second Order Thinking)

This method not only respects the irreversibility of time but transforms it into a strength, making each decision a step forward in a journey of continuous learning and adaptation.‍