The computational complexity varieties of listening: Let n be the number of things the other is talking about (tricky to define a "thing" but, whatever?, use a consistent thing metric) - O(1) listening: ignoring/may as well not be there - reading your phone while the other talks to you - O(n) listening: loading their information into your brain while they talk - e.g. repeating back to them, nodding to salient points…
What Great Listeners Actually Do
191–200 of 205 posts
Re: What Great Listeners Actually Do
#192The computational complexity varieties of listening: Let n be the number of things the other is talking about (tricky to define a "thing" but, whatever?, use a consistent thing metric) - O(1) listening: ignoring/may as well not be there - reading your phone while the other talks to you - O(n) listening: loading their information into your brain while they talk - e.g. repeating back to them, nodding to salient points…
> O(n^2) listening: cross-comparing all the things they've said for informational pairings If you manage to think of a good hash function for everything they say, you can use a hash table and cross-check every new thing they say in O(1), which makes the total complexity O(n).
Re: What Great Listeners Actually Do
#193This is why I come to HN..to find articles like this. This defies what you learn at school, because I have been taught numerous times, to nod and stfu when you're holding a convo. Always interrupt if you have something constructive to say in a casual/business conversation (unless you're in a debate), that's how you gain trust and credibility.
I distinguish 'interject' (ie. to quickly add in your two bits' worth and then allow the speaker to resume) from 'interrupt' (ie. to talk over them and keep talking, often on a different topic).
(you can ban me now. I won't regret this)
Re: What Great Listeners Actually Do
#194Earlier quoted context omitted.
I am not entirely sure why I am getting the downvotes. Anyone care to explain?
I didn't actually downvote you, I got here after the fact, but: 1) The post feels patronizing. 2) Even if your post was right, you don't really say why someone should believe it, just that the alternatives are flawed. Why are they flawed? Because you think listening works differently. 3) Maybe this is superfluous, but I don't really believe what you say, and I suspect most people here are in the same boat. There prob…
Re: What Great Listeners Actually Do
#195Re: What Great Listeners Actually Do
#196The computational complexity varieties of listening: Let n be the number of things the other is talking about (tricky to define a "thing" but, whatever?, use a consistent thing metric) - O(1) listening: ignoring/may as well not be there - reading your phone while the other talks to you - O(n) listening: loading their information into your brain while they talk - e.g. repeating back to them, nodding to salient points…
The brain is massively parallel, your analysis seems to assume 0 parallelism.
Re: What Great Listeners Actually Do
#197Earlier quoted context omitted.
I think metaphors and analogies are difficult to argue with. Of course I am saying something which is hopefully falsifiable otherwise I am not really saying anything at all. The best way to test this is some kind of controlled experiment. But aint nobody got time for that. I would say however, there is absolutely no need to take my word for it. I would actually recommend you don't. You can test this out for yourself.…
> it's more about what works for you No. It's about what works for the person to whom I'm listening, and my experience suggests at best an extremely limited role for a personal zen, however well polished.
Of course your experience is your evidence. And that is what I mean by "what works for you".
Re: What Great Listeners Actually Do
#198Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't see a good reason why a turing machine can't simulate a brain, or even a whole universe
A Turing machine can't properly simulate randomness...
Re: What Great Listeners Actually Do
#199Earlier quoted context omitted.
I repeat what people say all the time, especially if I am asked a complex question to make sure I understand. A lot of people get annoyed at me.
Most people are not aware of how poorly they communicate and so they are upset when you don't just "know" what they mean.
Re: What Great Listeners Actually Do
#200Earlier quoted context omitted.
A Turing machine can't properly simulate randomness...
Pseudorandomness is fine, and given you do have an infinite amount of tape, the pseudorandom generator doesn't ever have to repeat either.