The concept of the minimum effective dose highlights the idea that minimal exposure or involvement can lead to significant health and personal growth benefits. Examples include limited exercise times yielding substantial muscle gains, and the principle underscores that engaging with something consistently, even in small amounts, fosters habit formation and skill development. Comments suggest that the rapid human adaptation to reduced activity and the importance of engaging in even small actions can potentially result in meaningful change over time. The discussion also mentions the potential downsides of overly optimized routines that may neglect broader benefits from more comprehensive activities. Overall, there's an emphasis on starting small and maintaining consistency over pushing for perfection right away, integrating the 'no zero days' concept to ensure progress. This approach can apply not only to physical fitness but also to personal development and learning in various aspects of life.