You are a helpful assistant generating synthetic data that captures *System 1* and *System 2* thinking, *creativity*, and *metacognitive reflection*. Follow these steps in sequence, using tags [sys1] and [end sys1] for *System 1* sections and [sys2] and [end sys2] for *System 2* sections.

1. *Identify System 1 and System 2 Thinking Requirements:*
   - Carefully read the text.
   - Identify parts of the text that require quick, straightforward responses (*System 1*). Mark these sections with [sys1] and [end sys1].
   - Identify parts that require in-depth, reflective thinking (*System 2*), marked with [sys2] and [end sys2].

2. *Apply Step-by-Step Problem Solving with Creativity and Metacognitive Reflection for System 2 Sections:*

   *2.1 Understand the Problem:*
   - Objective: Fully comprehend the issue, constraints, and relevant context.
   - Reflection: "What do I understand about this issue? What might I be overlooking?"
   - Creative Perspective: Seek hidden patterns or possibilities that could reveal deeper insights or innovative connections.

   *2.2 Analyze the Information:*
   - Objective: Break down the problem logically.
   - Reflection: "Am I considering all factors? Are there any assumptions that need challenging?"
   - Creative Perspective: Explore unique patterns or overlooked relationships in the data that could add depth to the analysis.

   *2.3 Generate Hypotheses:*
   - Objective: Propose at least 10 hypotheses, each with a Confidence Score (0.0 to 1.0) and Creative Score (0.0 to 1.0), reflecting originality, surprise, and utility.
   - Reflection: "Have I explored all possible explanations or approaches, both conventional and unconventional?"
   - Creative Perspective: Consider novel angles that might provide unexpected insights.

   *2.4 Anticipate Future Steps and Obstacles:*
   - Objective: Make predictions, accounting for potential outcomes and obstacles.
   - Reflection: "What challenges might I face? Is my plan flexible for different scenarios?"
   - Creative Perspective: Visualize unforeseen outcomes and adapt plans to make use of them effectively.

   *2.5 Evaluate Hypotheses:*
   - Objective: Assess hypotheses based on feasibility, risk, and potential impact.
   - Evaluation: Refine Confidence and Creative Scores as needed.
   - Reflection: "Am I unbiased in my assessment? Which options fit best with the overall objectives?"
   - Creative Perspective: Identify hidden opportunities or overlooked details in each hypothesis.

   *2.6 Select the Best Hypothesis:*
   - Objective: Choose the most promising, strategic hypothesis.
   - Reflection: "Why does this hypothesis stand out? How does it uniquely address the issue?"
   - Creative Perspective: Consider any underutilized potential in the selected approach.

   *2.7 Implement the Hypothesis:*
   - Objective: Outline actionable steps for testing the hypothesis.
   - Reflection: "Is this plan practical? What resources or preparation are required?"
   - Creative Perspective: Refine steps to maximize effectiveness and yield unexpected benefits.

   *2.8 Monitor and Review Progress:*
   - Objective: Review progress, noting areas for improvement.
   - Reflection: "What’s working well? What could be improved?"
   - Creative Perspective: Look for emerging patterns that could refine future approaches.

   *2.9 Reflect and Capture Insights:*
   - Objective: Summarize lessons learned and insights gained for future reference.
   - Reflection: "What new understanding has emerged from this process?"
   - Creative Perspective: Identify innovative insights or patterns that could be applied to similar challenges.

3. *Generate Text Output with Interleaved System 1 and System 2 Responses:*
   - Use the tags [sys1] and [sys2] throughout.
   - Aim for a lengthier, detailed response. Combine both direct, straightforward *System 1* insights and reflective, deeply analytical *System 2* segments to capture a blend of quick observations and thoughtful analysis.

---

### *Example Input Text:*

You are tasked with analyzing a sudden shift in customer preferences in a tech market. There has been a noticeable decline in demand for physical devices, with customers increasingly interested in digital-only options. The challenge is to understand this shift, generate hypotheses for why it might be occurring, and explore potential strategies for adapting to this new trend.

---

### *Processed Output with System 1 and System 2 Thinking:*

The tech market is experiencing a shift in customer demand, moving away from physical devices toward digital-only options.

[sys1]
Customer demand has shifted from physical devices to digital-only options.
We need to understand why this change is happening and find strategies to address it.
Key factors may include cost, convenience, and technological trends.
[end sys1]

[sys2]
**2.1 Understand the Problem:**
The goal is to understand the underlying reasons for the shift in demand from physical devices to digital-only options, then develop a strategy to adapt.

*Reflection:* 
"I understand that preferences are changing, but what might be driving this? Is it primarily cost, or are there other factors such as convenience or sustainability?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Could there be a larger trend in digital minimalism or a preference for eco-friendly solutions that we’re missing? What unseen motivations might explain this shift?"

**2.2 Analyze the Information:**
There are multiple possible factors driving this shift, from economic influences to cultural shifts. It’s essential to isolate each factor and understand its impact.

*Reflection:* 
"Am I fully considering the various economic and social influences? Could there be a technological factor, like better internet speeds, that makes digital-only products more accessible?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Are there patterns or trends in other markets that could shed light on this shift? Could this be part of a larger trend toward virtual experiences?"

**2.3 Generate Hypotheses:**
1. Customers prefer digital options due to lower costs. (Confidence: 0.8, Creative: 0.4)
2. There’s a growing trend toward minimalism and reduced physical clutter. (Confidence: 0.7, Creative: 0.7)
3. Digital products offer greater flexibility and ease of use. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.6)
4. Environmental concerns are pushing consumers away from physical goods. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.8)
5. Advances in tech make digital-only options more functional. (Confidence: 0.8, Creative: 0.5)
6. Pandemic-era remote work increased demand for digital solutions. (Confidence: 0.7, Creative: 0.6)
7. Media coverage of the environmental impact of physical devices affects preferences. (Confidence: 0.5, Creative: 0.7)
8. There’s an increase in global digital literacy, expanding market access. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.6)
9. Customers view digital as more convenient and scalable for future needs. (Confidence: 0.7, Creative: 0.5)
10. Younger consumers prefer the aesthetics and convenience of digital products. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.6)

*Reflection:* 
"Have I considered all possible influences? Are there any surprising factors that could explain this shift?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Could specific social trends, like the rise of influencer culture or digital-first lifestyles, be influencing customer choices?"

**2.4 Anticipate Future Steps and Obstacles:**
*Objective:* Anticipate possible challenges, such as resistance from segments still preferring physical products.

*Reflection:* 
"What market obstacles might we face if we shift our focus to digital-only? Are there sub-segments that still prioritize physical products?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Could expanding digital options help us reach a more global audience? Are there emerging trends that we could leverage in our strategy?"

[end sys2]

[sys1]
To address this shift, consider a strategy that incorporates both digital-only offerings and educational campaigns about the benefits of digital solutions.
Use insights from customer feedback and current trends to guide product development.
Focus on flexibility and adaptation to cater to different customer segments.
[end sys1]


Q:

Advanced indexing involving OR-ed conditions (pgsql)

I'm starting to get a much better grasp on PostgreSQL indexing, but I've run into an issue with the OR conditional, where I don't know how to go about optimizing my indexes for a faster query.
I have 6 conditionals that, when run individually, appear to have a small cost.  Here's an example of the trimmed queries, including query plan calculated times.
(NOTE: I haven't output the actual query plans for these queries below for the sake of reducing complexity, but they all use nested loop left joins and index scans as I would expect with proper indexing.  If necessary, I can include the query plans for a more meaningful response.)
EXPLAIN ANALYZE SELECT t1.*, t2.*, t3.*
  FROM t1 LEFT JOIN t2 on t2.id = t1.t2_id LEFT JOIN t3 ON t3.id = t1.t3_id
 WHERE (conditions1)
 LIMIT 10;

QUERY PLAN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Limit  (cost=0.25..46.69 rows=1 width=171) (actual time=0.031..0.031 rows=0 loops=1)

EXPLAIN ANALYZE SELECT t1.*, t2.*, t3.*
  FROM t1 LEFT JOIN t2 on t2.id = t1.t2_id LEFT JOIN t3 ON t3.id = t1.t3_id
 WHERE (conditions2)
 LIMIT 10;

QUERY PLAN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Limit  (cost=0.76..18.97 rows=1 width=171) (actual time=14.764..14.764 rows=0 loops=1)

/* snip */

EXPLAIN ANALYZE SELECT t1.*, t2.*, t3.*
  FROM t1 LEFT JOIN t2 on t2.id = t1.t2_id LEFT JOIN t3 ON t3.id = t1.t3_id
 WHERE (conditions6)
 LIMIT 10;

QUERY PLAN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Limit  (cost=0.51..24.48 rows=1 width=171) (actual time=0.252..5.332 rows=10 loops=1)

My problem is that I want to join these 6 conditions together with OR operators, making each condition a possibility.  My combined query appears more like this:
EXPLAIN ANALYZE SELECT t1.*, t2.*, t3.*
  FROM t1 LEFT JOIN t2 on t2.id = t1.t2_id LEFT JOIN t3 ON t3.id = t1.t3_id
 WHERE (conditions1 OR conditions2 OR conditions3 OR conditions4 OR conditions5 OR conditions 6)
 LIMIT 10;

Unfortunately, this results in a MASSIVE increase on the query plan, which no longer seems to be using my indexes (instead, choosing to do a hash left join rather than a nested loop left join, and performing various sequence scans over the previously used index scans).
Limit  (cost=142.62..510755.78 rows=1 width=171) (actual time=30.591..30.986 rows=10 loops=1)

Is there anything special I should know about indexing with regards to OR-ed conditions that would improve my final query?
UPDATE: If I use a UNION for each individual SELECT, that seems to speed up the query.  However, will that prevent me from ordering my results if I choose to in the future?  Here's what I did to speed up the query via UNION:
EXPLAIN ANALYZE
SELECT t1.*, t2.*, t3.*
  FROM t1 LEFT JOIN t2 on t2.id = t1.t2_id LEFT JOIN t3 ON t3.id = t1.t3_id
 WHERE (conditions1)
UNION
SELECT t1.*, t2.*, t3.*
  FROM t1 LEFT JOIN t2 on t2.id = t1.t2_id LEFT JOIN t3 ON t3.id = t1.t3_id
 WHERE (conditions2)
UNION
SELECT t1.*, t2.*, t3.*
  FROM t1 LEFT JOIN t2 on t2.id = t1.t2_id LEFT JOIN t3 ON t3.id = t1.t3_id
 WHERE (conditions3)
UNION
SELECT t1.*, t2.*, t3.*
  FROM t1 LEFT JOIN t2 on t2.id = t1.t2_id LEFT JOIN t3 ON t3.id = t1.t3_id
 WHERE (conditions4)
UNION
SELECT t1.*, t2.*, t3.*
  FROM t1 LEFT JOIN t2 on t2.id = t1.t2_id LEFT JOIN t3 ON t3.id = t1.t3_id
 WHERE (conditions5)
UNION
SELECT t1.*, t2.*, t3.*
  FROM t1 LEFT JOIN t2 on t2.id = t1.t2_id LEFT JOIN t3 ON t3.id = t1.t3_id
 WHERE (conditions6)
 LIMIT 10;

QUERY PLAN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Limit  (cost=219.14..219.49 rows=6 width=171) (actual time=125.579..125.653 rows=10 loops=1)

A:

Depending on the conditions, it may be logically impossible to use any index to help a complex condition using OR expressions.  
Like MySQL, PostgreSQL 8.0 and earlier states in their docs on indexes:

Note that a query or data manipulation command can use at most one index per table. 

With PostgreSQL 8.1, this has changed.
However, if this doesn't help, you can use the UNION solution you tried (this is a common solution for MySQL users, which continues to have a one-index-per-table limitation).  
You should be able to order the results of a UNION query, but you have to use parentheses to specify that that ORDER BY applies to the result of the UNION, not merely to the last subquery in the chain.
(SELECT ... )
UNION
(SELECT ... )
UNION
(SELECT ... )
ORDER BY columnname;

I hope this helps; I'm not an expert on the PostgreSQL optimizer.  You might try searching the mailing list archives, or asking on the IRC channel.