Every system has two sets of rules: The rules as they are intended or commonly perceived, and the actual rules (“reality”). In most complex systems, the gap between these two sets of rules is huge.

Sometimes we catch a glimpse of the truth, and discover the actual rules of a system. Once the actual rules are known, it may be possible to perform “miracles” — things which violate the perceived rules.

Read more on Paul Buchheit’s recent blog post, Applied Philosophy, aka ‘Hacking’.

Paul is also speaking at Startup School–I can’t wait.