Doorman fallacy: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Error of reducing human roles to basic functions}} | {{Short description|Error of reducing human roles to basic functions}} | ||
The '''doorman fallacy''' | The '''doorman fallacy''' is a [[Category mistake|category error]] in which a complex human role is reduced to a function, leading to the assumption that it can be replaced with a cost-effective automated substitute without loss of value, with decision-makers failing to understand the indirect, intangible, non-visible value they provide.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lipnickas |first1=Gediminas |date=3 November 2025 |title=The ‘doorman fallacy’: why careless adoption of AI backfires so easily |url=https://theconversation.com/the-doorman-fallacy-why-careless-adoption-of-ai-backfires-so-easily-268380 |access-date=20 June 2026 |work=The Conversation}}</ref> | ||
The concept is closely related to ideas in [[behavioral economics]] and [[Signalling theory|signaling theory]], particularly the distinction between observable tasks and latent value creation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-07-21 |title=The Doorman. The Magic Starts Here. Charles Leon |url=https://www.charlesleon.uk/blog/the-doorman-where-the-magic-starts |access-date=2026-07-04 |website=Charles Leon |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
== Origin == | == Origin == | ||
The term "doorman fallacy" was coined by [[Rory Sutherland (advertising executive)|Rory Sutherland]] in his 2019 book ''Alchemy''. The term "[[Doorman (profession)|doorman]]" refers to | The term "doorman fallacy" was coined and popularized by [[Rory Sutherland (advertising executive)|Rory Sutherland]] in his 2019 book ''Alchemy''. ''The Surprising Power of Ideas That Don’t Make Sense.<ref name="alchemy">{{Cite book |last=Sutherland |first=Rory |title=Alchemy : the surprising power of ideas that don't make sense |date=2019 |isbn=978-0-7535-5137-0 |location=London |oclc=1091689287}}</ref>'' | ||
The term "[[Doorman (profession)|doorman]]" refers to the role of a hotel doorman that mistakenly assumed solely for opening doors. The hotel replaces the doorman with an automated door system as a cost-saving measure. However, they fail to realize the indirect functions like: | |||
* Guest recognition and assistance | |||
* Proving security and surveillance | |||
* Status signaling and brand perception | |||
Sutherland argues that such roles often less visible create value that exceeds their direct cost, meaning removal can reduce long-term profitability despite lowering operational expenditure.<ref name="alchemy" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rory Sutherland's doorman fallacy |url=https://www.mfpwealthmanagement.co.uk/blog/doorman-fallacy-rory-sutherland |access-date=2026-06-24 |website=MFP Wealth Management |language=en-GB}}</ref> | |||
== Use in AI == | == Use in AI == | ||
Recent discussions have extended the Doorman fallacy concept to generative AI in automating and even replacing white-collar and customer service roles. | |||
In 2025, the [[Commonwealth Bank|Commonwealth Bank of Australia]] laid 45 customer service staff off, replacing them with an automated AI voice bot. The bank reversed its decision amidst pressure from a workers' union, admitting it: "did not adequately consider all relevant business considerations and this error meant the roles were not redundant".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Subin |first=Samantha |date=2025-10-22 |title=AI is already taking white-collar jobs. Economists warn there's 'much more in the tank' |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/22/ai-taking-white-collar-jobs-economists-warn-much-more-in-the-tank.html |access-date=2026-06-24 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> | |||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
Revision as of 21:20, 4 July 2026
Template:Short description The doorman fallacy is a category error in which a complex human role is reduced to a function, leading to the assumption that it can be replaced with a cost-effective automated substitute without loss of value, with decision-makers failing to understand the indirect, intangible, non-visible value they provide.[1]
The concept is closely related to ideas in behavioral economics and signaling theory, particularly the distinction between observable tasks and latent value creation.[2]
Origin
The term "doorman fallacy" was coined and popularized by Rory Sutherland in his 2019 book Alchemy. The Surprising Power of Ideas That Don’t Make Sense.[3]
The term "doorman" refers to the role of a hotel doorman that mistakenly assumed solely for opening doors. The hotel replaces the doorman with an automated door system as a cost-saving measure. However, they fail to realize the indirect functions like:
- Guest recognition and assistance
- Proving security and surveillance
- Status signaling and brand perception
Sutherland argues that such roles often less visible create value that exceeds their direct cost, meaning removal can reduce long-term profitability despite lowering operational expenditure.[3][4]
Use in AI
Recent discussions have extended the Doorman fallacy concept to generative AI in automating and even replacing white-collar and customer service roles.
In 2025, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia laid 45 customer service staff off, replacing them with an automated AI voice bot. The bank reversed its decision amidst pressure from a workers' union, admitting it: "did not adequately consider all relevant business considerations and this error meant the roles were not redundant".[5]
See also
References
- ↑ Lipnickas, Gediminas (3 November 2025). "The ‘doorman fallacy’: why careless adoption of AI backfires so easily". The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/the-doorman-fallacy-why-careless-adoption-of-ai-backfires-so-easily-268380.
- ↑ "The Doorman. The Magic Starts Here. Charles Leon" (in en-US). 2019-07-21. https://www.charlesleon.uk/blog/the-doorman-where-the-magic-starts.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Sutherland, Rory (2019). Alchemy : the surprising power of ideas that don't make sense. London. ISBN 978-0-7535-5137-0. OCLC 1091689287.
- ↑ "Rory Sutherland's doorman fallacy" (in en-GB). https://www.mfpwealthmanagement.co.uk/blog/doorman-fallacy-rory-sutherland.
- ↑ Subin, Samantha (2025-10-22). "AI is already taking white-collar jobs. Economists warn there's 'much more in the tank'" (in en). https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/22/ai-taking-white-collar-jobs-economists-warn-much-more-in-the-tank.html.