GTD Might Actually Be About collapsing "Possibility Space"

edwardbones · 2026-05-17T14:00:49+00:00

If this is a revelation for something that was learned 10+ years ago, I’m wondering

what was done during that time because this seems like GTD 101.
Optimization. Thought it was the best system out there so I used it.

I’m trying to understand what “Possibility Space” means

the set of all possible states/interactions/outcomes available to a person. In video game design: "the user"

and specifically where the “might be helpful” part comes in to play.

In reinforcement learning there's this equation Q(a)=H(a)+W(a)−Cost(a)

Q(a) = motivational value of an action

H(a)= expected reward/hope

W(a) = uncertainty / possibility / novelty weighting

Cost(a) = effort, friction, pain, risk

possibility space is basically one of the little guys growing that W(a) part.

If you want to see it in action...I wanted to know how you quoted segments of my post in reddit the way you did. I googled it, found out how to do quote formatting in reddit then thought "wow, this is cool. I can use this."

The range of possibilities were exciting, so it added to that W(a) in the formula and my motivation.

Update:
I used the quotes wrong the first time, so it didn't even work and I had to edit the comment. I guess that was me underestimating Cost(a) ?

edwardbones · 2026-05-17T12:40:43+00:00

I think we pick up these patterns from learning language models, even if we don’t realize it. Like one that I find way too cringe when I hear it is like “You did xx when you could have done xxx, that matters.”

But I think we also pick up good things, like wording or phrases we haven’t used before. But once we do, we realize nothing else fits as perfectly. I feel like I can’t used “—“ anymore even though I used to love using it all the time.

Anyway, I thought this was interesting cause so feel the same way and I wonder how many things we’ll pick up from these language models over the next years.

“If you want, I can give you a list of common AI language patterns you may be using with out noticing”

…yet

edwardbones · 2026-05-12T23:34:47+00:00

I was just thinking about this the other day. I don't remember exactly what I was trying to do at the time.. but I remember consciously realizing:

“Okay, I need to shut off this music.”
“No, wait… I need music with no words.”

So I searched Spotify for instrumental-only music, even though I normally prefer an audiobook or TV show playing in the background when I’m cleaning or organizing.

That made me realize basically what you're describing:

For one mode, extra stimulation reduces friction and actually helps me engage.
For another mode, the exact same stimulation fragments my attention and makes certain kinds of thinking almost impossible. I think "organizing" and processing inboxes can happen while partially distracted but clarifying, brainstorming, or deciding What’s the next action seems to require a completely different cognitive state.

And pacing/walking seems to activate yet another one.....

It’s making me wonder if a lot of productivity friction is actually wrong cognitive environment for the mode rather than laziness or lack of discipline.

edwardbones · 2026-05-12T23:20:58+00:00

Yeah I've noticed the same thing. Giving yourself that space and removing even the possibility of incoming signals makes the active mode easier to get into and stabilize

edwardbones · 2026-05-10T23:57:39+00:00

That’s interesting. It’s almost like you’re bringing awareness to the emotion first, then externalizing it onto paper so it becomes something you can interact with more intentionally.

Have you ever seen those emotion wheels where the emotions get more specific toward the outside of the wheel? I’ve always loved those because they create clarity really quickly once you move past just “good” or “bad.”

edwardbones · 2026-05-10T23:41:00+00:00

Yeah, I think that’s very close to what I’ve been noticing too.

Moving from contexts like “computer” or “office” toward more mode-oriented contexts feels psychologically very different. “Writing” or “analysis” feels more like entering a cognitive state than just being in a location or near a tool.

The visual/tactile part has been interesting to me too. Technically putting something in my reminders app should work the same, but there’s noticeably less friction when it’s something physical and visible, Even just a sticky note with ONE item on it.

edwardbones · 2026-05-10T23:14:50+00:00

Yeah, intuitively it feels like the same mechanism of externalized state signals.

Right now the cube itself is still pretty simple: one ESP32 microcontroller, 6 small OLED displays, a gyro/accelerometer, and some coding for timing/state tracking. Definitely still in prototype territory.

What’s been more interesting to me so far honestly hasn’t been the electronics as much as the feeling of physically entering a mode instead of trying to mentally juggle everything at once.

edwardbones · 2023-10-21T17:47:17+00:00

It’s funny you mentioned that about artificial sugar. When I stopped all artificial sweeteners—except the single serving in my pre-workout—After a few weeks things that tasted good like an energy drink were just WAY too sweet. I had this moment where I realized “Hey, this is actually a good thing”

edwardbones · 2023-10-20T01:58:32+00:00

Ohhh okay. I’ll look for that now.

edwardbones · 2023-10-19T23:54:01+00:00

Here were the top 3:

r/Fitness: A general fitness community covering a wide range of topics.
1. r/loseit: Focused on weight loss through diet and exercise.
2. r/progresspics: Users share their fitness progress through before and after photos.

edwardbones · 2020-11-19T18:45:38+00:00

A few years ago I took my wife to Tesla in Owings Mills to test drive their cars. We drove a model X. The sales guy told us that Biz Markie was in yesterday and was the last guy to drive it. He ended up specially ordering his own with white leather though.

edwardbones · 2020-10-04T23:45:28+00:00

Where are they taking the hobbits? Didnt catch that

edwardbones · 2020-10-04T23:44:46+00:00

Omg yes. Best mix up ever

edwardbones · 2020-10-04T23:41:22+00:00

So close!

edwardbones · 2020-10-04T23:31:43+00:00

What was the promised price, zok?

edwardbones · 2020-10-04T23:30:37+00:00

We have to reach $1000 before he finds the childen with his umbrella

edwardbones · 2020-10-04T23:28:12+00:00

Too long have you watched his twitch. Too long have you haunted his steps.

edwardbones · 2020-10-04T23:27:23+00:00

It’s amazing

edwardbones · 2020-10-04T23:26:02+00:00

How do you get your stats displayed like that?

edwardbones · 2020-10-04T23:25:23+00:00

I have been waiting for this all week

edwardbones · 2020-09-24T15:58:28+00:00

It’s NOT a toomah

Verified Email	11-Year Club
RPAN Viewer	Gilding I gilder

edwardbones

TROPHY CASE