Computers Quote by Daniel Kahneman
““If it takes 5 machines 5 minutes to make 5 widgets, how long would it take 100 machines to make 100 widgets? 100 minutes OR 5 minutes””
About This Quote
Source Interview: 2015, The Economist
Understanding scaling of work: more machines don’t always speed up production proportionally.
In simple terms: More machines don’t always mean faster output.
Key Takeaway
Consider bottlenecks before adding resources.
Themes
efficiency
productivity
scaling
Mood
analytical
curious
Type
educational
thought‑provoking
When to use this quote
- manufacturing
- software deployment
- project staffing
- logistics planning
Key Concepts
queueing theory
law of diminishing returns
Questions to Reflect On
- What process step limits speed?
- How do you identify true bottlenecks?
A Different Perspective
Assumes identical independent tasks, ignoring setup time.
