Dynamic programming

Dynamic programming addresses the question how can a system learn to improve long-term performance when this may require sacrificing short-term performance?*

I have red this few days ago and I thought how this can be extend to our (social, emotional, economical and ...) life, for we are not aware of our simulation time in this world.
May be it is the main concern we should take care?


* S. Haykin, Neural Network: a Comprehensive-Foundation, 2nd edition, Engle-. wood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1999.