"Increasingly in today's culture, "hacking" is something done not just by criminals and computer scientists, but by anyone who has the capability to approach a problem laterally. (This is the original usage of the term, in fact.) Can't get that horrible plastic "blister pak" for those headphones open? Use a can opener. (It works!) Not enough seats for the four of you? Give yours up and weather the storm with the person of your dreams. The first section of this book discusses how some people use such "hacker" thinking to shorten paths to success. It's how some people take a few years to become president while others spend 30. It's how unknown comedians get on Saturday Night Live and Internet companies get to millions of users in months. Lateral thinking doesn't replace hard work; it eliminates unnecessary cycles. Once they've shortened their path, overachievers tend to look for ways to do more with their effort,"