What is the failed simulation effect?

The "failed simulation effect" refers to the impression of an action or achievement based primarily on the difficulty we perceive when trying to imagine accomplishing it ourselves. This concept, discussed by Dwarkesh Patel and his guest Scott Young, is largely derived from ideas in Cal Newport's book How to Become a High School Superstar. The effect highlights that our perception of an accomplishment's impressiveness is not necessarily related to the actual amount of work required but rather how unimaginable the task seems to us.

For instance, being involved in numerous clubs or being a high school valedictorian involves a great deal of work, but since many people can imagine doing these activities, they might not always seem extraordinarily impressive. In contrast, more unique or uncommon accomplishments, like a high school student publishing a successful book, might seem more impressive because it is harder for most to imagine doing such a thing themselves, irrespective of the actual work involved 1.