The appropriate amount of effort is zero

Framing and Definition of “Effort”

• Central debate: the article uses a nonstandard definition of “effort” as excess tension/energy beyond what’s required.
• Many see this as a rhetorical trick: redefine a word, then derive a provocative conclusion (“appropriate effort is zero”).
• Some defend it as a useful “clicky” reframe: distinguishing energy vs the felt strain of overdoing things.

Mastery, Practice, and Flow

• Broad agreement: apparent effortlessness in experts (athletes, musicians, programmers) usually comes after long, often grueling practice.
• Pattern described:
  • Stage 1: high conscious effort and clumsiness.
  • Stage 2: skill and muscle memory build.
  • Stage 3: relaxed, “flow” performance with minimal visible effort.
• Several examples (swimming, instruments, martial arts, racing, gaming) stress that “relaxing” only works once baseline competence exists.

Motivation, Boredom, and Goals

• People respond differently to advice:
  • Some need “work harder” to get through boring fundamentals.
  • Others are harmed by overstriving and need “relax, play, enjoy the process.”
• Playful practice and intrinsic enjoyment can sustain long, disciplined training better than abstract striving.
• A recurring idea: identify your real goal first (fun, mastery, credentials, safety), then tune effort to that.

Risk, Safety Margins, and “Minimum” Effort

• Multiple commenters argue the “exact minimum effort” framing ignores safety margins and uncertainty.
• Examples: gripping a mug or steering wheel harder to handle bumps; athletes overgripping holds; presentations prepared “above minimum” in case of important guests.
• Claim: appropriate effort is “bare minimum plus context-dependent tolerance,” never literally zero surplus.

Nature, Wu Wei, and Alexander Technique

• Discussion of “nature makes no effort” and wu wei: interpreted as acting without internal strain, not without action.
• Some see this as romanticizing nature; others see value in contrasting human chronic striving with animals’ more immediate response to threats.
• Alexander Technique and similar mind–body methods are mentioned; some are curious or positive, others skeptical or label it trendy/pseudoscientific.

Psychological Over-Effort and Anxiety

• Several resonate with the idea that chronic over-effort becomes “normal”; relaxation feels wrong or unsafe.
• Overthinking, constant tension, and “working hard instead of working well” are described as common problems.

Critiques and Risks of the Message

• Strong pushback that the article reverses cause and effect: people perform effortlessly because they’re expert, not vice versa.
• Concern that “zero effort” rhetoric, especially out of context, can justify laziness (e.g., students outsourcing work to AI and learning nothing).
• Some call the piece shallow or “hopium”: ignoring the grind needed before ease emerges.

Practical Takeaways from the Thread

• Cut wasted tension and motion; do the least that reliably works, but no less.
• For beginners, “relax” is often useless; for intermediates/experts, it’s powerful.
• Consistent, modest effort over time beats sporadic heroics, but can coexist with a playful, low-strain attitude.