1. About the Pareto Principle

The Pareto Principle, also known as the 80/20 rule, explains the phenomenon where 80% of outcomes arise from 20% of causes.

This refers to the imbalance commonly seen in social phenomena, and suggests that focusing on specific factors can lead to greater results.

2. Is the Pareto Principle absolute?

It is certainly a useful theory that increases efficiency in strategic design.

But is it an absolute truth? I would say no.

There are many cases where the 80/20 ratio simply doesn’t apply.

3. The trap of statistics

Most statistics we encounter offer seemingly objective and intuitive views.

However, depending on how the standards of the statistics are set, the outcome can change even with the same data.

Moreover, qualitative data are difficult to quantify through simple statistics.

Many people (even statisticians) fall into statistical traps and make poor judgments.

After all, statistics can only provide probabilistic conclusions, and the broader the scope, the more uncontrollable variables arise.

4. How should we view objective data?

Unless it is a clearly established fact (e.g., the Earth is round, plants germinate from seeds),

we should never trust any data 100%.

We must trust, but always leave at least 10% room for doubt.

And it is that doubt which gives birth to critical thinking—
a crucial force for breaking through fixed ideas.

5. Why critical thinking matters

What do you think a paradigm is?

Something difficult? Something grand?

No. It is simply a shift in thought born from critical thinking.

There is a common pattern among people and theories at the center of innovation:

1. They completely overturn ideas previously accepted as common sense.
2. They connect entirely unrelated fields to form new theories.

In this piece, I will refer to this as logical creativity.

So where does logical creativity come from?

It comes from the ability to see the essence.

Those who see the essence can easily grasp how a material can be used in various fields—

and if it’s already in use, they can question its usage and detect its limitations.

This is exactly the role of critical thinking.

When one sees the essence, thinks critically, and attempts to fuse different essences—

a paradigm is born.

It’s not difficult. You just haven’t tried thinking that way before.

6. Conclusion: Pareto and Paradigm

Statistical theories, including the Pareto Principle, enhance efficiency in strategy design and bring stability through clear standards.

But did you know?

Paradigms are soulmates with risk.

The world is already saying it:

If you rely only on stability, growth is impossible.

If you wish to stand at the center of a paradigm,

you must continuously doubt everything in this world—at a proper ratio.

Even if the world calls you mad or strange,

as long as your leap holds no logical fallacy, do not lose yourself.

That firmness will fill the loneliness of a pioneer.

Now, Let me ask you, the one reading this:

If the Pareto Principle is nothing more than a cognitive bias created by humans,

what would you attempt first?