Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

arrow_back_ios_new
MENTAL MODEL · M11855

Borrowing Arrows with Straw Boats

Borrowing Arrows with Straw Boats
RiskHigh supportMilitary Strategy
Included
account_tree

Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Using heavy fog and the enemy's suspicion, a boat filled with straw men was used to lure Cao Cao into shooting arrows, thereby obtaining a hundred thousand arrows for free.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Leverage force and utilize negative traffic. When competitors attack you (shooting arrows), do not dodge. Use the 'straw boat' (a carrier) to catch these attacks (traffic/attention) and convert them into your visibility and user base.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Leverage force: when the opponent attacks (shooting arrows), use a carrier (straw boat) to absorb the impact and convert it into your own resources (arrows), turning passivity into initiative.

MINIMUM ACTION

In progress 0/4

Practice this model in one real situation:

Check to track your progress (stored locally)
Learning progress0%
account_treeGenealogyexpand_more
menu_bookReferencesexpand_more

Source support: Explicit

  • link
    zh.wikipedia.orghttps://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%BF%A1%E9%A1%BB%E4%B9%8B%E6%88%98_%28213%E5%B9%B4%29ZH · Explicit
    verified

RELATED MODELS

Related model

Feign Madness but Keep Your Balance

Rather than acting rashly to show off one's cleverness, it is better to feign ignorance or madness to conceal one's ambitions and wisdom.

arrow_forwardRelated model

Catching Cicadas Under a Tree

A strategic image drawn from catching cicadas under a tree: use the environment as cover and leverage, while staying alert to the predator behind you that the small prize has distracted you from.

arrow_forwardRelated model

Pretend to Be Crazy but Keep Balance

A strategic posture of feigning foolishness, confusion, or lack of ambition in order to hide real capability and intent while quietly gathering strength, drawn from the tradition of feigned madness.

arrow_forward