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Donald Knuth on work habits, problem solving, and happiness (2020)

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Re: Donald Knuth on work habits, problem solving, and happiness (2020)

#161

Post by passion__desire »

NateEag wrote: post #111
mooneater wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> not prediction based on anything statistical but based on one's understanding It is still statistical. You still want to predict a distribution over expected next token. However, the function needed to estimate the likely next tokens are not simple max over enumerated next tokens like in a language model. It's more like a transition model in reinforcement learning.

> It is still statistical. You still want to predict a distribution over expected next token. The fact that a process can be described statistically does not make the process itself statistical.

Quantum mechanics is probablistic. But the probabilities are deterministic.

Re: Donald Knuth on work habits, problem solving, and happiness (2020)

#162

Post by louky »

jmcphers wrote: post #91

> My mother is amazing to watch because she doesn't do anything efficiently, really: She puts about three times as much energy as necessary into everything she does. But she never spends any time wondering what to do next or how to optimize anything; she just keeps working. Her strategy, slightly simplified, is, "See something that needs to be done and do it." All day long. And at the end of the day, she's accomplish…

"Do the Next Right Thing" is what I try to do.

Re: Donald Knuth on work habits, problem solving, and happiness (2020)

#163

Post by rramadass »

chmod600 wrote: post #102
jmcphers wrote: post #91

> My mother is amazing to watch because she doesn't do anything efficiently, really: She puts about three times as much energy as necessary into everything she does. But she never spends any time wondering what to do next or how to optimize anything; she just keeps working. Her strategy, slightly simplified, is, "See something that needs to be done and do it." All day long. And at the end of the day, she's accomplish…

This is effective because analysis paralysis is mentally draining. We tend to think/optimize in terms of time. But I've found it helpful to optimize for mental energy, which is often the limiting factor.

https://hbr.org/2007/10/manage-your-energy-not-your-time

Re: Donald Knuth on work habits, problem solving, and happiness (2020)

#164

Post by rramadass »

michaelcampbell wrote: post #156
chmod600 wrote: post #102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is effective because analysis paralysis is mentally draining. We tend to think/optimize in terms of time. But I've found it helpful to optimize for mental energy, which is often the limiting factor.

> We tend to think/optimize in terms of time. But I've found it helpful to optimize for mental energy, which is often the limiting factor. I love this. Very succinct and insightful.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31500342

Re: Donald Knuth on work habits, problem solving, and happiness (2020)

#165

Post by rramadass »

marttt wrote: post #151
jmcphers wrote: post #91

> My mother is amazing to watch because she doesn't do anything efficiently, really: She puts about three times as much energy as necessary into everything she does. But she never spends any time wondering what to do next or how to optimize anything; she just keeps working. Her strategy, slightly simplified, is, "See something that needs to be done and do it." All day long. And at the end of the day, she's accomplish…

As someone with rural/countryside roots, I recall similar advice on physical labor: it is best to work at a steady, consistent pace all day long without getting sweaty or breathless . You'll avoid (or postpone) dehydration, remain more alert and calm, and thus it is much easier to switch tasks immediately. As a tree planter of several seasons, I've realized that this advice works remarkably well. Pushing yourself, sw…

This approach is actually best for learning/studying anything Eg. Martial Arts, Mathematics etc. Regular, Mindful and Consistent practice without over-straining is the key. Intensity should pick up only for key events likes Exams, Tournaments etc. and maintained only for a short duration followed by relaxation.

Re: Donald Knuth on work habits, problem solving, and happiness (2020)

#166

Post by 8note »

mrmuagi wrote: post #104
chmod600 wrote: post #102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is effective because analysis paralysis is mentally draining. We tend to think/optimize in terms of time. But I've found it helpful to optimize for mental energy, which is often the limiting factor.

This carries over to social anxiety as well -- you tend to overthink what people think and such -- the more you do things the better you naturally get from experience as well.

If you're doing, do you have time to overthink?

Re: Donald Knuth on work habits, problem solving, and happiness (2020)

#167

Post by disgruntledphd2 »

laichzeit0 wrote: post #126
orlp wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My only gripe with TAOCP is its usage of MMIX.

If I where to ask “So what should he have used instead?” it would quickly derail this thread. There would be no consensus. Knuth probably foresaw this exact problem and more.

Yeah, if you read the intro to Volume 1, he specifically calls this out as an issue. I personally think he's taking a subtle dig at Numerical Recipes here, which did take the "modern" language approach.

Re: Donald Knuth on work habits, problem solving, and happiness (2020)

#168

Post by michaelcampbell »

rramadass wrote: post #164
michaelcampbell wrote: post #156

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> We tend to think/optimize in terms of time. But I've found it helpful to optimize for mental energy, which is often the limiting factor. I love this. Very succinct and insightful.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31500342

Wonderful, thank you.

Re: Donald Knuth on work habits, problem solving, and happiness (2020)

#169

Post by theonething »

slothtrop wrote: post #158
theonething wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why should the journey be orthogonal to the destination? The Bible confirms that both are vital. The Sermon on the Mount commands Christians to be kind, loving and good people in this life. Verses like Matthew 6:19-21, Colossians 3:2 and 1 Corinthians 2:9 compel Christians to live this life in light of eternity. To me, if you accept the presuppositions of the Christian worldview, this is logical. If this life and how…

> The Bible confirms that both are vital. Evangelicals just as easily claim the opposite, on the same conceit. "The Bible says". If this wasn't up to interpretation you wouldn't have so many protestant sects. For instance, being kind and loving could be construed as an obligation for Salvation, not a reflection of the importance of Earth life. There are a not-insignificant number that oppose utilitarian improvements…

> being kind and loving could be construed as an obligation for Salvation

It certainly can be and has been construed in this way and a proper exegesis of the New Testament has no other conclusion than that interpretation is patently wrong.

The book of Galatians (amongst) others is a clear rebuke of the heresy of salvation by works.

Those who oppose utilitarian improvements to quality of life ignore verses such as

"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."

"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed."

"Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you."

"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return"

The term "good Samaritan" comes from a Biblical parable highlighting the importance of being kind to others.

I don't how anyone can come away from a serious and accurate study of the Bible and not conclude that a Christian's conduct in this life is wholly important.

Re: Donald Knuth on work habits, problem solving, and happiness (2020)

#170

Post by elwell »

gjm11 wrote: post #119
elwell wrote: post #117

> ...it turns up in Philippians 3:16, where the writer says that: > "You don't race to get to the goal; the process of racing itself, of keeping the pace, is the real goal. When I go on vacation, I like to enjoy the drive." > In Christian churches I am least impressed by a sermon that talks about how marvelous heaven is going to be at the end. To me that's not the message of Christianity. The message is about how to…

So, Knuth wrote this rather unusual book called "3:16" in which he took every chapter-3-verse-16 in the Bible (where chapter 3 is too short for that, he continued past the end into chapter 4 in the obvious way), thought about it a lot and wrote down his thoughts, and also commissioned eminent calligraphers to render his translations of all those verses. (He was inspired, if that's the right idea, by the notion of str…

> It can't really be that we need to strive and strain in order to be saved -- Paul seems pretty opposed to that sort of idea, elsewhere. So the real point of the striving and straining must be the effect it has on our lives here on earth.

This interpretation appeals to me.

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