"The Two Things"

[mac56]

http://www.csun.edu/~dgw61315/thetwothings.html#The%20Story%20of%20the%20Two%20Things

From Glen Whitman:

The Story of the Two Things

A few years ago, I was chatting with a stranger in a bar. When I told him I was an economist, he said, “Ah. So… what are the Two Things about economics?”

“Huh?” I cleverly replied.

“You know, the Two Things. For every subject, there are really only two things you really need to know. Everything else is the application of those two things, or just not important.”

“Oh,” I said. “Okay, here are the Two Things about economics. One: Incentives matter. Two: There’s no such thing as a free lunch.”

Ever since that evening, I’ve been playing the Two Things game. Whenever I meet someone who belongs to a different profession (i.e., a profession I haven’t played this game with), or who knows something about a subject I'm unfamiliar with, I pose the Two Things question.

The Two Things about the Two Things

1. People love to play the Two Things game, but they rarely agree about what the Two Things are.
2. That goes double for anyone who works with computers.

So what are the Two Things about your field?

[tazkcmo]

1. 2 things about my field

It's geen (one) and it's grassy (two)

[skygazer]

2. Two things about my field

Which is the retail sale of wine and liquor -

1. They won't buy it if it's in the back room (in other words, get it out on the floor somehow either on the shelf or in a display) and

2. Booze sells in both good times and bad - they buy the good stuff during flush times and the cheap stuff when times are hard.

[underpants]

3. The two things about accounting

1.debits =credits (that's really book keeping)

2. You HIRED the auditors-there is always time for another entry.

[LaurenG]

4. Here are mine

There are always going to be more.
and
Stabilization is the true goal.

[wildhorses]

5. 2 things about working in the ER

prioritizing and cleanliness

[EstimatedProphet]

6. The 2 things about fishery biology

1) People like fishing, and they will support efforts to keep a healthy fish population going-so long as they understand the reasons behind the actions.

2) It's way too easy to overuse a resource, and regualtions have to be in place to make sure the damage done isn't permanent.

[BigMcLargehuge]

7. Two things about instructional design

1. "Classical" instructional design, like the kind taught in college, is useless for everything except teaching college courses about instructional design.
2. There are always delays. Always. No matter how you schedule.

Two things about writing fiction professionally

1. You will not make as much money as Steven King no matter how good you are.
2. There is no such thing as writer's block, there is only writer's excuse.

[tonkatoy57]

8. Two Things About A Career In Classical Music

1. Hard work and practice will win out over sheer talent every time. Professional orchestras are full of people, who yes have talent, but also have incredible drive and work ethics. Starbucks and call centers are full of amazingly talented people who didn't want to perfect their craft.

2. Nothing beats innate talent coupled with the desire to succeed.