Efficiency: Doing things right
Once you find an effective solution, you can try to improve it, or make it more efficient.
Efficiency is about doing this in the most economical way in terms of time, energy, or money.
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These terms sound very similar and are often used interchangeably in everyday conversations.
- Efficacy means getting stuff done. (Related question: Is it working?)
- Effectiveness means doing the right things. (Is it working well?)
- Efficiency means doing things right. (Is it working in the most economical way?)
Efficacy is mostly used in a scientific setting. Efficacy is the ability to create an anticipated effect.
For example, a specific medication that improves a patient's symptoms in an ideal environment has demonstrated efficacy.
Efficacy is not always enough. Medication that improves a patient's symptoms under ideal conditions is technically getting things done, but not always the right things.
Effectiveness in clinical trials is about how well a treatment works in the real world, not just in perfectly controlled conditions.
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Altered states of consciousness can only be defined if there is an understanding of an ordinary state of consciousness.
While scientists can't agree on a clear definition, altered states of consciousness are nevertheless essential to understanding the human mind.
Our values are our preferences about what we consider appropriate courses of actions.
They strongly influence our decisions. Therefore we should take the time to consider what our personal values are.
The tip-of-the-tongue, or lethologica, is a common phenomenon where memories seem to be momentarily inaccessible.
Bilingual people seem to experience more tip-of-the-tongue moments in their less dominant language. If you find yourself repeatedly struggling to recall a specific word, your memory may not be adequately stored.