No. 161 · Work · Systems
Parallel Processing
Split work into parts that can run at once, and finish sooner.
In the Almanac
“The human computers”, 1938–1948 · “Cerebras”, 2019
Both stories in full, three ways to use it and where it misleads.
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Questions
What is Parallel Processing?
Parallel processing breaks a big job into pieces worked on simultaneously. In the 1930s, hundreds of human computers split huge calculations into simple parallel steps; today, Cerebras packs hundreds of thousands of cores onto one chip.
How do you use Parallel Processing?
To use it, run independent chores side by side, split team projects so people can work at once, and plan how the pieces will come back together. Keep deep thinking and real conversations single-tasked: attention doesn't divide well.
When does Parallel Processing matter?
Parallel Processing 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 Cargo Cult.
What is an example of Parallel Processing?
Two stories show it at work: The human computers (1938–1948) and Cerebras (2019). 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 Parallel Processing?
Mythical Man-Month, Divide and Conquer and Algorithms. Parallel Processing itself comes from systems.