Might a Shortcut Be Expensive Because It Hides Information?
Speed saves time, but observation creates knowledge.
Sometimes. Faster paths can reduce opportunities to learn, observe, and discover.
A traveler uses taxis everywhere and reaches destinations efficiently but learns little about neighborhoods, transit systems, or local routines.
The hidden mechanism is information bypass. Every shortcut removes part of the environment from direct experience.
A micro-scene illustrates the tradeoff: one traveler arrives sooner, while another notices the bakery queue, school route, and morning commute.
A shortcut reduces distance. It may also reduce exposure to the clues that explain the journey.
