But if you disregard others, how do you prevent reinventing the wheel?
Feynman’s Breakthrough: Disregard Others
51–60 of 125 posts
Re: Feynman’s Breakthrough: Disregard Others
#52It was a pleasure to read, but of course it should be taken with a grain of salt and not applied to every field :-) Imagine being in a software team and disregarding what others are doing? Screw the rest of the team, I'll work on my own better solution and ignore the parts that are already working well! You might end up with a good solution to the problem, but you'll also manage to piss off a lot of people ^^ A more…
>Imagine being in a software team and disregarding what others are doing?
I think there's an extent to which this is actually healthy. If we're to build modular code, we shouldn't concern ourselves with the internal workings of modules built by others. We do need to agree on how the modules will interact, but if we need to concern ourselves with how their parts work then we're insufficiently modular.
This maps to the social interpretation of this advice as well. You need a healthy interpersonal interface to accept useful input while ignoring useless input.
Re: Feynman’s Breakthrough: Disregard Others
#53Does this work for Feynman, because he is a genius? in the same way that lots of successful people offer tidbits of advice that wouldn't apply to someone in different circumstances, or perhaps with a different level of intellect.
Hey, it worked for the current president:
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/10/13/donald-tru...
"“In conditions of uncertainty and risk,” the researchers explained, “some instances of optimism lead people to make better decisions by helping avoid more costly mistakes and contribute to survival and flourishing.” Even so, it’s true only to a point. “Excessive optimism,” they concluded, “can become problematic and lead to poor strategic planning, disillusionment and disappointment, and risky behaviours""
Trump also wrote, according to the article:
"“Someone asked me if I thought I was a genius,” he wrote in 2009 in Think Like a Champion. “I decided to say yes. Why not? Try it out. Tell yourself that you are a genius.”"
The researcher's thoughts:
"“For most people,” said Norem, who specializes in optimism, pessimism and personality psychology, “there’s a point at which, if that’s all they bring to the table, it breaks down.”
The question is where that point is for Trump. He is so clearly not most people. In the words of Mitch Horowitz: “He is a kind of Frankenstein monster of the philosophy” of positive thought.""
The whole article is really worth reading.
Re: Feynman’s Breakthrough: Disregard Others
#54Earlier quoted context omitted.
It depends on your social status and general situation a lot - some people get punished hard when they disregard others and are in no position to do it. Others can get away with that mostly. A lot depends on whether at least portion of people is willing to give you benefit of the doubt or whether someone criticizing you as always taken at a face value.
Most people is going to be criticized if they step out of the beaten path. Powerful people in any field is not keen to radical change that could make them superfluous rather fast. Then there all those who want to be seen as worthy by the powerful that will parrot their opinions. I don't think I would dare to introduce radically new stuf (I'm no scientist so it's easy for me to make this statement), at least in the ar…
I agree with things you are talking about, but there is still more to that.
The exactly same suggestion from "our friend" is treated differently then suggestion from "that suspicious dude/girl". It may be difference between mild criticism and "it is ultimate proof he is dumbo". It makes big difference in practical results. It may be difference between "jesus, did you had to say that" and "you are not gonna get responsible position ever again or at least you are not gonna go to that meeting again".
Re: Feynman’s Breakthrough: Disregard Others
#55I'm not sure if it's reassuring or utterly disheartening that even somebody as brilliant as Feynman can be laid low with impostor syndrome.
On the contrary, it's the super Genius who are more likely to suffer from bouts of Imposter syndrome.
It's not particularly imposter syndrome. He might still acknowledge that he's brilliant and has made some great discoveries, but feel he may not be able to make any more. Someone with imposter syndrome may never acknowledge their own achievements.
Re: Feynman’s Breakthrough: Disregard Others
#56Yup. That works. Just don't forget the follow-up, where external feedback is crucial. Shameless plug: I've written my own crypto library¹. Not just for the lulz, I fully intend to use it in production. To do that, I had to disregard the crypto community, that basically says anyone who does that deserves to burn in Crypto Hell the time it takes them to count to 2^256. (I might exaggerate a tad). They say that for a re…
I think the point is that you don’t need approval from anyone to find value in your own work. Who cares if crypto “experts” condone the use of your library? All that matters is that it provides you value in your endeavors. “Showing them” is not necessary for that.
Re: Feynman’s Breakthrough: Disregard Others
#57But if you disregard others, how do you prevent reinventing the wheel?
I think he means to disregard what others are currently doing.
Re: Feynman’s Breakthrough: Disregard Others
#58Yup. That works. Just don't forget the follow-up, where external feedback is crucial. Shameless plug: I've written my own crypto library¹. Not just for the lulz, I fully intend to use it in production. To do that, I had to disregard the crypto community, that basically says anyone who does that deserves to burn in Crypto Hell the time it takes them to count to 2^256. (I might exaggerate a tad). They say that for a re…
I think the point is that you don’t need approval from anyone to find value in your own work. Who cares if crypto “experts” condone the use of your library? All that matters is that it provides you value in your endeavors. “Showing them” is not necessary for that.
I don't think that is the point at all. To that end lies madness.
Re: Feynman’s Breakthrough: Disregard Others
#59But if you disregard others, how do you prevent reinventing the wheel?
I think he means to disregard what others are currently doing.
Well, they could be inventing a new type of wheel.
If you disregard others, you could be inventing the same things as others, or even less smart versions of those things.
Re: Feynman’s Breakthrough: Disregard Others
#60Earlier quoted context omitted.
I think the point is that you don’t need approval from anyone to find value in your own work. Who cares if crypto “experts” condone the use of your library? All that matters is that it provides you value in your endeavors. “Showing them” is not necessary for that.
I don't think that is the point at all. To that end lies madness.
If you think so then you’ve misinterpreted my comment.