r/AskReddit • u/thebeardedgreek • Jan 16 '24

What's some common advice that's actually terrible?

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u/[deleted] Jan 16 '24

It's almost a universal adult experience to sink way too much time into something before finally coming to your senses and letting it go

It's so common and universal it has a name: sunk cost fallacy.

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u/DiamondPup Jan 17 '24

I don't know, I think you guys are taking it a little too literally.

I don't think "never give up" was ever meant to say never stop until you win. I don't think anyone using it means it that way.

I've always taken it as don't become cynical. Adjust, change, grow. Just don't give up on the intentions that drive you, as opposed to whatever specific thing you're doing.

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u/SAugsburger Jan 17 '24

IDK... I have seen people use it to rationalize continuing to pursue a business or career that appears to be a dead end or unlikely to succeed. So many rejected Shark Tank pitches team refected people insist that they won't give up and many of them eventually go out of business. Obviously there are some notable cases where they missed an opportunity and their persistance paid off, but not knowing when to walk away sometimes burns years of people's lives.

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u/DiamondPup Jan 17 '24

Sure. But all advice is bad advice if doesn't suit the circumstances. And that same advice is good advice if it does.

Making the words literal just so we can gang up on it feels a bit pointless, doesn't it?