Stubbed toe

I have been thinking about the sources of active feedback cycles around us. While there are many, the free market is an obvious one that immediately comes to mind. In free markets, participants willingly engage and are penalized for bad bets while rewarded for good ones. The feedback is direct. We can discuss other feedback mechanisms in this hodgepodge of funny and non-funny bits.

Finding homology between two arbitrary subjects is not hard if one digs deep enough. Still, free markets and the cooking process have a few striking similarities.

Both cooking and free markets are driven by strong and often immediate positive or negative feedback, prompting appropriate action to rectify mistakes. The feedback is transparent. One gets penalized in various ways for preparing subpar food and appreciated for good outcomes. In both free markets and cooking, trust emerges from positive and palatable results. The only other instance where feedback is so instantaneous is when someone stubs their toe and feels pain. Ouch! For those who cannot respond to this feedback, please dive in and enjoy it.