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Ask HN: Slow thinkers, how do you compensate for your lack of quick-wittedness?

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Re: Ask HN: Slow thinkers, how do you compensate for your lack of quick-wittedness?

#241

Post by theCodeStig »

Shugarl wrote: post #224
dijit wrote: post #38

This is something that's easy to have an opinion on so you're going to get buried. I'll do my best to make a high-signal comment here, but it will be drowned by all the other replies, which also likely touch on these points. First, "slow-thinking" is really just a different way of expressing your thinking and you should begin by leaning into it rather than leaning away. Take time, allow yourself to pause to collect y…

> First, "slow-thinking" is really just a different way of expressing your thinking and you should begin by leaning into it rather than leaning away. Take time, allow yourself to pause to collect your thoughts. People often interpret quietness (not filler) as intelligence and maturity (because usually it is). Alternatively not answering is also valid. From experience, it doesn't work, especially in a group setting. P…

This is definitely true in Asia

Re: Ask HN: Slow thinkers, how do you compensate for your lack of quick-wittedness?

#243

Post by j45 »

dijit wrote: post #38

This is something that's easy to have an opinion on so you're going to get buried. I'll do my best to make a high-signal comment here, but it will be drowned by all the other replies, which also likely touch on these points. First, "slow-thinking" is really just a different way of expressing your thinking and you should begin by leaning into it rather than leaning away. Take time, allow yourself to pause to collect y…

Deliberate is a much better word.

There are problems that legitimately must be sat with for months if not years.

Furiously responding to potential ways to solve a problem might just use a lot of energy.

Re: Ask HN: Slow thinkers, how do you compensate for your lack of quick-wittedness?

#244

Post by jrflowers »

bigfont wrote: post #236
jrflowers wrote: post #234

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly. Diagnosis is a beneficial thing that shouldn’t happen, a straightforward and common sense position to take

I agree it isn't straightforward. Some things can lead to benefits, without themselves being beneficial. In psychology, diagnosis is sometimes like that. It can lead to treatment, accommodation, and funding, but the diagnosis on its own may not be beneficial, may cause harm through stigma, and may not be necessary to access the benefits. The alternative: when possible, provide the benefits without labeling the person…

Exactly! Some things can be bad or good for certain people in certain contexts, and such things should categorically be avoided. In a similar vein when I see people discussing hydration online I point out that the only way to guarantee not drowning is to not be near or consume water. While some may complain about “thirst” they ignore their lungs’ “thirst” for oxygen! Why bother?

Re: Ask HN: Slow thinkers, how do you compensate for your lack of quick-wittedness?

#245

Post by dheavy »

eastbound wrote: post #210
10729287 wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Phenomenon also known as Esprit de l'escalier : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%27esprit_de_l%27escalier I suffer from it myself and i'm definitely better at answering by email than in an oral discussion when i'm overwhelmed by thoughts and can't focus on one.

Finally enough, the French expression is “présence d’esprit”. Only few people in France know about this sequence involving Diderot and the king, and I only know about it because I’ve lived in… California.

Actually, "esprit d'escalier" is indeed used in French, though less commonly, especially outside of literary contexts. It refers specifically to the inability to come up with a timely response or comeback (and the frustration of finding the "perfect" reply when the conversation is already over). On the other hand, "présence d'esprit" has a broader usage in everyday language. It can mean having a quick and witty response (the opposite of "esprit d'escalier"), or more broadly, the sudden ability to judge and react appropriately in a situation.

edit: typo

Re: Ask HN: Slow thinkers, how do you compensate for your lack of quick-wittedness?

#246

Post by midtake »

I hear this argument a lot from people who don't consider themselves quick thinkers and honestly it sounds a bit like cope. Many such people might be confusing perseverance for skill in analysis. Not saying that's you, OP. But many people make similar claims.

That said, I don't think it's set in stone. As someone quick on their feet, I can tell you that it feels like flow state. I don't think it's innate, so with practice you can become just like the other jokesters at work. Also try to loosen up. Anxiety is anathema to a quick wit.

When I notice smart people appear to be slow thinkers, it's actually still obvious that they're fully engaged but that they have recessed themselves a bit in their minds. They are processing everything but for some reason feel there is a cost to start speaking so they don't jump the gun. It's not a terrible quality. So if you're a solid thinker people will still see it, don't worry about appearing like a midwit if you're not. Otherwise your anxiety will eat you up.

Re: Ask HN: Slow thinkers, how do you compensate for your lack of quick-wittedness?

#247

Post by u32480932048 »

reddiky wrote: post #123
dijit wrote: post #38

This is something that's easy to have an opinion on so you're going to get buried. I'll do my best to make a high-signal comment here, but it will be drowned by all the other replies, which also likely touch on these points. First, "slow-thinking" is really just a different way of expressing your thinking and you should begin by leaning into it rather than leaning away. Take time, allow yourself to pause to collect y…

> Finally, do your best to avoid situations where a "quick decision" is needed; this is good advice even for "quick thinkers". Fast decisions are often poor ones - the counterpoint to that is dragging something out over many weeks or across many meetings - but putting yourself in a situation where the unknowns become knowns or the scope of the landscape and weight of the decision can be properly assessed is important…

> making the best possible, smallest decision will rarely get you into trouble

It's like gradient descent for humans

Re: Ask HN: Slow thinkers, how do you compensate for your lack of quick-wittedness?

#248

Post by treffer »

Just a few points....

1. Some decisions are better made than delayed. Most choices are reversible. So get over those being be important/relevant.

2. Everything else _should_ be thought through. Push for it. If that's not possible then you have to live with the consequences. These are most often sales traps though, see e.g. "scarcity" in "Influence: The psychology of persuasion" which covers deadlines. If you fail for these then please read the book or listen to the audio book.

3. Winning an argument is not just about thinking about arguments. See "The art of being right" for a set of arguing tactics that will make you look like you are dumb.

4. Fast good action is often a matter of turning it into a routine. That's what you do for incidents (gamedays), fire drills etc. If it matters then better be prepared!

But on top of everything.... I've been doing on-call for years. I can tell you that bad decisions under time pressure and emotional stress are often bad and far from optimal. It's ok. It's human.

The thing that makes me a bit uneasy is that it looks like you are stressing yourself on top of everything. You can get professional help for that too.

Re: Ask HN: Slow thinkers, how do you compensate for your lack of quick-wittedness?

#249

Post by zarathustreal »

u32480932048 wrote: post #247
reddiky wrote: post #123

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Finally, do your best to avoid situations where a "quick decision" is needed; this is good advice even for "quick thinkers". Fast decisions are often poor ones - the counterpoint to that is dragging something out over many weeks or across many meetings - but putting yourself in a situation where the unknowns become knowns or the scope of the landscape and weight of the decision can be properly assessed is important…

> making the best possible, smallest decision will rarely get you into trouble It's like gradient descent for humans

It also potentially traps you in a local maximum

Re: Ask HN: Slow thinkers, how do you compensate for your lack of quick-wittedness?

#250

Post by michdl »

1.) Prep in advance, gather and read through materials that you could, think of possible different angles, trajectories, and questions that could come up. Preparing your stand is important (but be mindful that you have to be flexible too as new information comes to light). 2.) I'd usually ask to give more time to it - say that I have to take this away to get a better appreciation of the matter, consult with so and so (e.g. another team or your line manager or an SME), consider other factors in the organisation, etc. The important thing is commit a timeline with them on when you'd be back with a decision.
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