Alternative Blindness

We compare the option at hand against a single default alternative — while completely failing to consider third, fourth, or fifth options that might be superior to both.

• A city debates whether to build a new stadium or renovate the old one — never considering spending the same money on hospitals or education.
• A job candidate evaluates whether to accept this offer or stay at their current company — never systematically considering other employers.
• Medical debate between two treatments ignores a third approach — often a lifestyle intervention — that evidence shows would outperform both.