In 2009, psychologists Gary Klein and Daniel Kahneman collaborated on an important paper. The two examined how experience, performance, and different types of environments all collided. Ultimately, they advanced the notion that the first two variables hinged upon the third. In other words, not all environments are created equal. Some types promote learning and success; others do not.

Chess vs. Chaos

David Epstein deftly explains the critical distinction on his Substack:

You can think of kind learning environments as situations that are governed by stable rules and repetitive patterns; feedback is quick and accurate, and work next year will look like work last year. Think golf or chess: a ball or piece is moved according to rules and within defined boundaries; a consequence is quickly apparent; and similar challenges occur repeatedly.

In wicked learning environments, rules may change, if there are rules at all; patterns don’t just repeat; feedback could be absent, delayed, or inaccurate; all sorts of complicated human dynamics might be involved, and work next year may not look like work last year.

His excellent book Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World also touches upon this topic.

Parallels

I was thinking about this difference in the context of books. In theory, research, writing, and publishing one should all lend itself to stability—that is, kind learning environments. Far too often, though, the process devolves into wicked one. Deadlines get missed. Budgets go out the door. Errors find their way into the final product. Authors fume. Sales suffer. The whole shebang.

How to Review Your Galley Like a Pro

Far too often, the publishing process devolves into a wicked environment.

This begs the question: How can authors promote a kind learning environment?

Working with experienced professionals certainly helps. Following a defined process does, too. Toss in state-of-the-art tech and you’re well on your way to miminimizing superfluous stress, delays, and cost overruns.

Books Are Not Startups

By definition, startups can be frenetic. As such, they can resemble wicked learning environments. Books, however, should not. Yes, emergencies occassionally happen and you deal with them. Still, if chaos rules the day on your projected, you’re firmly on the pain train. Odds are that things will end poorly.