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No. 153 · Work · Human Nature and Judgement

Cargo Cult

Copying the look of success rarely delivers the real thing.

A Cargo Cult copies the form of success but misses the cause. Richard Feynman used the image of islanders building mock runways to warn about research that looks scientific but lacks honest self-criticism.

Before adopting a habit, process or tool because a winner uses it, ask what actually produces the result and whether that cause exists in your situation. Copy to learn, then keep asking why, and drop the parts that are only decoration.

In the Almanac

“Feynman at Caltech”, 1974 · “Home Depot”, 2000–2007

Both stories in full, three ways to use it and where it misleads.

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Cargo Cult

Questions

What is Cargo Cult?

A Cargo Cult copies the form of success but misses the cause. Richard Feynman used the image of islanders building mock runways to warn about research that looks scientific but lacks honest self-criticism.

How do you use Cargo Cult?

Before adopting a habit, process or tool because a winner uses it, ask what actually produces the result and whether that cause exists in your situation. Copy to learn, then keep asking why, and drop the parts that are only decoration.

When does Cargo Cult matter?

Cargo Cult is one of the 43 mental models for work, the situations where you ask: How do I get the right things done? Within that, it belongs to “Organising the work”, alongside Algorithms, Boots on the Ground and Commandos.

What is an example of Cargo Cult?

Two stories show it at work: Feynman at Caltech (1974) and Home Depot (2000–2007). Both are told in full in The Mental Models Daily Almanac, which has two stories for each of its 365 models.

Which mental models are related to Cargo Cult?

First Principles Thinking, Causal Fallacy and Survivorship Bias. Cargo Cult itself comes from human nature and judgement.