Why Being the Fastest Isn't Always Fair or Useful in Complex Systems

In financial markets, a race for faster trades saw firms spending millions on straightening fiber-optic cables and shaving milliseconds off communication times. But this obsession with being the fastest didn't create value for ordinary investors—instead, it let a few insiders capture profits just by being ahead in line, not by making smarter or more helpful decisions. The pattern echoes in everyday life: a student always handing in assignments first might overlook errors, or a friend who rushes to reply in group chats might misinterpret messages. The focus on speed, rather than quality or fairness, often skews incentives, encouraging shortcuts and creating invisible losers.

This environment creates a subtle pressure—almost everyone believes they must keep up or be left out, even if they can't explain what real benefit speed brings. Companies and individuals alike invest in new tools or routines to stay just ahead of the pack, rarely asking whether the race itself is valuable or even their idea to begin with. Over time, such systems can become self-sustaining, where more energy is put into staying fast than making better decisions, improving the system, or helping others.

Behavioral science calls this the 'arms race' effect, where competition for marginal advantages leads to escalating costs (time, money, stress) but no overall improvement for the group as a whole. Organizational psychologists note the costs: speed can erode trust, quality, and the willingness to take prudent risks. Sometimes, intentionally slowing down is the best way to see big-picture patterns and restore balance—yet doing so takes courage, because most people conflate speed with competence, even when the facts say otherwise.

Start by thinking honestly about when you push yourself to be the fastest—at work, in class, online, or anywhere speed feels like winning. Ask yourself what you might miss or sacrifice in those moments: Is your message less clear? Do you overlook mistakes or ignore others’ input? Now, pick just one area today where you’ll purposely take your time—gather more facts, check your work, or allow someone else to weigh in before acting. As you try this, observe what changes for you. Sometimes, the real win is stepping back from the race and choosing substance over speed. Give it a try before the day’s over.