For example, backwards locking.......

I use only a small light cable lock that fits in a jersey pocket on my Litespeed Ghisalo. That's because it never goes out of my sight, never.
I lock it when I am too far away to grab someone if they try and run or ride away. I lock it in places where there is no theft, or no people. Places where no one else locks their bike. I don't ever lock that bike in a high crime area, period. I have no reason to. In a group of nice road bikes, mine is typically the only one locked even when we can see them from inside. When they know I have a lock others want to get in on the lock up. I would be the first one to agree that I would not do that in any city and leave the bike alone.

I use a NY lock and a cable or a mini u lock on my beater bikes that are worth nothing. That's because I leave them places unguarded. I might put $100 worth of locks on the ladies 5 speed columbia I got for free. Like at the dock when I go in my friends boat at night or all day. It's absurd to break a NY lock and a Kryptonite mini for a worthless bike. The more absurd the better it is for me. We all laugh about it.
That way it will be there when I get back and I can relax and not even think about it.