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How to Move Up When the Only Way is Down: Lessons from Artificial Intelligence for Overcoming Your Local Maximum
Break new ground in problem-solving and decision-making by learning from AI
A well-paid executive feels trapped in her very respected but unsatisfying job. A startup founder has paying customers, but knows that unless he ‘fires’ them and pivots the business, his startup won’t make it. A senior government planner is tasked with undoing the nation’s reliance on outdated infrastructure.
These are all examples of individuals stuck in a Local Maximum; we’ve reached a peak, but not the one that fulfills the highest potential. In order to move up in our pursuits, we must first move back down - a realization which can lead to frustration, decision-making paralysis and lost opportunity.
In How to Move Up When the Only Way Is Lessons from Artificial Intelligence for Overcoming Your Local Maximum, Judah Taub draws from his perspective guiding early stage AI startups, his years serving in military intelligence, and various experiences leading innovation throughout his career. With his off-the-beaten path perspective, Judah shares insights into how humans can achieve better decision-making by learning how AI overcomes local maximums.
What tech engineers already know is that with the rise of AI, we’ve developed new ways of addressing these limitations. These techniques, employed to save billions of dollars for global giants like Amazon and Google, are equally applicable to each of us.
To show how, Judah shares a variety of real world examples, involving Olympic high jumpers, the transition of Ethiopian immigrants from gas station attendants to high tech engineers, the evolution of playing cards into Nintendo, the development of ChatGPT, the link between wildfires and hedge fund managers - and much more.
How to anticipate and identify Local Maximums How to overcome psychological Local Maximum blocks and biases How to build skills and apply strategies to succeed in complex decision-making How Local Maximum thinking can help overcome major global challenges
The book is equipped to benefit anyone facing complex decisions, or obstacles to their personal or professional goals. How to Move Up When the Only Way is Down is designed to transform readers’ decision-making by recognizing Local Maximums and skill building based on lessons from AI.
A well-paid executive feels trapped in her very respected but unsatisfying job. A startup founder has paying customers, but knows that unless he ‘fires’ them and pivots the business, his startup won’t make it. A senior government planner is tasked with undoing the nation’s reliance on outdated infrastructure.
These are all examples of individuals stuck in a Local Maximum; we’ve reached a peak, but not the one that fulfills the highest potential. In order to move up in our pursuits, we must first move back down - a realization which can lead to frustration, decision-making paralysis and lost opportunity.
In How to Move Up When the Only Way Is Lessons from Artificial Intelligence for Overcoming Your Local Maximum, Judah Taub draws from his perspective guiding early stage AI startups, his years serving in military intelligence, and various experiences leading innovation throughout his career. With his off-the-beaten path perspective, Judah shares insights into how humans can achieve better decision-making by learning how AI overcomes local maximums.
What tech engineers already know is that with the rise of AI, we’ve developed new ways of addressing these limitations. These techniques, employed to save billions of dollars for global giants like Amazon and Google, are equally applicable to each of us.
To show how, Judah shares a variety of real world examples, involving Olympic high jumpers, the transition of Ethiopian immigrants from gas station attendants to high tech engineers, the evolution of playing cards into Nintendo, the development of ChatGPT, the link between wildfires and hedge fund managers - and much more.
How to anticipate and identify Local Maximums How to overcome psychological Local Maximum blocks and biases How to build skills and apply strategies to succeed in complex decision-making How Local Maximum thinking can help overcome major global challenges
The book is equipped to benefit anyone facing complex decisions, or obstacles to their personal or professional goals. How to Move Up When the Only Way is Down is designed to transform readers’ decision-making by recognizing Local Maximums and skill building based on lessons from AI.
197 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 16, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 28, 2025
The book explores the concept of “local maximums.” Through vivid storytelling and thoughtful analysis, Judah explains why pursuing long-term goals (or reaching a “global maximum”) is often difficult - and how we frequently trap ourselves in suboptimal solutions, mistaking them for the best we can do.
One striking example is the invention of the engine-powered vehicle. Before cars became mainstream, society had built an entire infrastructure around horses: special grains to extend their lifespan, roads wide enough for two carriages, waste removal systems, rest areas at trading posts and saloons, and much more. All of this reinforced a “local maximum.” Horses were not the best long-term solution for transportation, but moving toward the “global maximum” - creating infrastructure for cars - took over 30 years from the time of invention to widespread adoption. It was hard to let go of what was familiar.
That example is just one of many Judah explores in the book. It got me thinking about similar moments in my own life. When learning new technologies, I often discover better solutions only after becoming proficient in an older one. As Master Yoda wisely said, “You must unlearn what you have learned.” I’ve experienced this firsthand: I master one solution (climb a small mountain), then discover a better one (a higher mountain), but I have to get slightly worse before I can get significantly better (descend before ascending again). I’ve even noticed this in my practice of archery - changing my form often makes me worse temporarily, before improvements kick in.
All that to say, I was deeply impressed by Judah’s book and the thinking behind it.
One striking example is the invention of the engine-powered vehicle. Before cars became mainstream, society had built an entire infrastructure around horses: special grains to extend their lifespan, roads wide enough for two carriages, waste removal systems, rest areas at trading posts and saloons, and much more. All of this reinforced a “local maximum.” Horses were not the best long-term solution for transportation, but moving toward the “global maximum” - creating infrastructure for cars - took over 30 years from the time of invention to widespread adoption. It was hard to let go of what was familiar.
That example is just one of many Judah explores in the book. It got me thinking about similar moments in my own life. When learning new technologies, I often discover better solutions only after becoming proficient in an older one. As Master Yoda wisely said, “You must unlearn what you have learned.” I’ve experienced this firsthand: I master one solution (climb a small mountain), then discover a better one (a higher mountain), but I have to get slightly worse before I can get significantly better (descend before ascending again). I’ve even noticed this in my practice of archery - changing my form often makes me worse temporarily, before improvements kick in.
All that to say, I was deeply impressed by Judah’s book and the thinking behind it.
August 7, 2025
I think this was a decent book. I like the idea of thinking about "self improvement" from the lens of local maximums/minimums, and in some cases it works really well. The need to move backwards in order to move forwards is an important one (e.g. electric cars were always somewhat of a liability for the early adopters, but as they became more mainstream they've started to be better than ICE cars in many aspects; if we never had the early adopters who were willing to make certain trade-offs, EVs would never be where they are today).
The problem with the book was that sometimes the analogy felt a little forced. For example, there was the description of prescribed/controlled fires in forest burn management to prevent larger, uncontrolled fires, which the author tried to fit into the "local maximum" analogy. I felt that didn't really work. It was as if he had a nice story, maybe interviewed a couple of people on it, and didn't want to waste it, so "forced" the story into the local maximum mould.
And as much as I loved the military stories, which were regular occurrences early in the book, they suddenly disappeared and it created a bit of a cognitive dissonance - I was left wondering where they went!
Overall could have been shorter (you don't really need a book to teach the ideas), could have done with a bit more tighter editing (sometimes poor use of the analogy; last chapter on the really big "global" issues probably not necessary, especially given the wicked problem nature of them, which the "local maximum" analogy is often very inadequate to frame), but still largely enjoyable and I did learn a thing or two.
The problem with the book was that sometimes the analogy felt a little forced. For example, there was the description of prescribed/controlled fires in forest burn management to prevent larger, uncontrolled fires, which the author tried to fit into the "local maximum" analogy. I felt that didn't really work. It was as if he had a nice story, maybe interviewed a couple of people on it, and didn't want to waste it, so "forced" the story into the local maximum mould.
And as much as I loved the military stories, which were regular occurrences early in the book, they suddenly disappeared and it created a bit of a cognitive dissonance - I was left wondering where they went!
Overall could have been shorter (you don't really need a book to teach the ideas), could have done with a bit more tighter editing (sometimes poor use of the analogy; last chapter on the really big "global" issues probably not necessary, especially given the wicked problem nature of them, which the "local maximum" analogy is often very inadequate to frame), but still largely enjoyable and I did learn a thing or two.
November 29, 2024
The book presents an interesting framework to apply to situations which I will use to structure my thoughts in future. However, beyond the initial examples it does start to repeat a little and some could be called common sense. The examples of data science are interesting but not really applicable.
The most useful points to me were having an awareness of local maxima, calling them that, and the types of action you can take to traverse any valleys. E.g. shorten them, make the valleys less scary, or the other mountains more attractive. In that case it's a useful thought experiment to perform when trying to be as persuasive as possible. However, if you already know a lot about a topic/situation, you're probably already aware of other higher mountains and the smaller mountain you're on. You're probably just not calling it a local maxima.
The most useful points to me were having an awareness of local maxima, calling them that, and the types of action you can take to traverse any valleys. E.g. shorten them, make the valleys less scary, or the other mountains more attractive. In that case it's a useful thought experiment to perform when trying to be as persuasive as possible. However, if you already know a lot about a topic/situation, you're probably already aware of other higher mountains and the smaller mountain you're on. You're probably just not calling it a local maxima.
November 11, 2024
Very original and thought provoking. Taking examples from so many diverse areas to explain such a common phenomenon provided the invaluable tool of being able to relate to and discuss my own local maximums. I especially loved the variety of stories as it relates to each particular concept - it really made me stop and think deeply. Highly recommend to anyone looking to improve in any aspect of their life, this book can help to reframe basic life problems and provide practical ways of thinking about them and solving them.
December 8, 2024
This book is insightful and easy to dive into, providing a new perspective on the concept of a "local maximum"—the moment we believe we've reached our peak, only to realize we may need to step back to achieve greater heights. The author unpacks this idea in a way that's clear and relatable, demonstrating how it applies to both personal development and professional growth. It's a compelling and meaningful read, packed with insights and engaging narratives. Whether you're seeking self-improvement, career advice, or simply an enjoyable story, this book is the one for you!
December 8, 2024
It's a smooth, quick read, and a great series of 'pushes' to consider the roadblocks or 'local maximums' that are tricking us into thinking we've reached our potential/are aiming for our highest potential when actually there are better paths/more lucrative goals to aim for. I like that it's based on anecdotes - both from industry/recent history/business and also from Judah Taub's experience operating in startup building, investing and military intelligence. The tone is friendly and warm (as opposed to a lot of other 'business' books that leak the author's ego between the lines).
A good read, bottom line.
A good read, bottom line.
January 15, 2025
This book is both enlightening and accessible, offering a fresh look at the idea of a "local maximum"—the point where we think we're at our best but might actually need to recalibrate and move downward to aim even higher. The author breaks down this concept through a blend of historical accounts, personal experiences, and straightforward advice, making it easy to see how these ideas can be applied in both personal and professional contexts. It’s a smooth, enjoyable read that’s loaded with meaning and practical takeaways, whether you're in it for self-growth, career insights, or just the stories themselves.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews