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I’m a very slow thinker (2016)

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Re: I’m a very slow thinker (2016)

#201

Post by mixmastamyk »

Netcob wrote: post #110

That's why I don't like meetings where you're supposed to come up with a solution on the spot and then break it down into tasks immediately. That only works if you have lots of closely related experience so that the solution is trivial to you anyway, or if you're a genius. Most of the time you end up with shitty "knee-jerk" software that focuses on technical details way too much instead of solving the problem. I'll t…

Had a job interview recently where the company wanted me to redesign their complex system (presumably to work acceptably) on the spot.

First thought was "I'll have the answer in six months," when the problems are really understood. No offer on that one, haha.

Re: I’m a very slow thinker (2016)

#202

Post by l39 »

As everyone here, I too consider myself as a slow thinker. Some of the reasons for the same, I believe, are (i) Always trying to get the bigger/entire picture of the problem (ii) Trying to increase the precision of the answer for the problem under question (iii) awareness that there will always be unknown unknowns (iv) trying to cater to exact needs of others (iv) Not giving importance to memory (v) a wandering mind, which wants to catch hold of too many things at the same time.

Re: I’m a very slow thinker (2016)

#203

Post by mixmastamyk »

glangdale wrote: post #4

I feel this way too. Someone once told me about their Google interview and mentioned one of the problems. I spent a fruitless 20 mins flailing around trying for a good solution, then stopped thinking about it. 5 hours later on public transit the entire (and, as it happens, perfect) solution popped, unbidden, into my head. I always thought that would have been particularly galling if it had been my interview...

Archimedes would be proud.

Re: I’m a very slow thinker (2016)

#204

Post by taeric »

JanisL wrote: post #92
taeric wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I cheated and looked up some of the facets of that question. As someone that has aphantasia, I'm curious where you are taking that question. I confess my original answer was to remember that old kids song where you make a steeple with your hands and then flip them to see the people. I then thought that I don't actually know what distinguishes a steeple from a plain roof.

Thanks for posting, I didn't realize aphantasia was a thing until now.

Always glad to introduce people to the idea. https://www.bbc.com/news/health-34039054 is a good article on it. https://www.facebook.com/notes/blake-ross/aphantasia-how-it-... is actually one of the first posts I had seen on it. I've known I don't have a visual capability compared to most people for a while, I didn't realize til recently just how pronounced the difference is.

Re: I’m a very slow thinker (2016)

#205

Post by vinceguidry »

alex_hitchins wrote: post #197
vinceguidry wrote: post #187

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was arguing from the perspective of somebody trying to get something they want, the individual perspective, but it seems like you are considering the social utility one. While I can facially agree that there can be some arenas in which persistence can cause concern, I don't understand where your strong disagreement comes from. And personally, I want my heart operated on by the guy that's done hundreds of heart oper…

> the individual perspective I see your side more clearly now. You are correct that I was thinking more along the social unity side. Not sure I'd say I agree completely with you, but I see where I was mistaken before. On the individual note, is it that persistence wins, or that the win is felt with the inevitable mental compromise taken in order to feel one has succeeded? I do see that it's better to try and fail tha…

When you look at how wealth is built, perseverance approaches (hard work) usually win out over attempts to avoid hustling. The idea is to build a vehicle, like a company, that can then continue to generate income without direct application of effort. This vehicle can only be built through hard and smart work. The startup community also likes to focus their efforts on ideas that can scale to more broadly socially-useful ideas.

What wealth buys you is the ability to employ someone else to do the grunt work. But to get there the grunt work needs to get done.

Re: I’m a very slow thinker (2016)

#206

Post by westoncb »

MichailP wrote: post #141
westoncb wrote: post #134

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting. I've also considered myself on the slow end of the thinking-speed spectrum, and have the other memory traits too: not so good with precision/particulars (instead I depend on being able to go back to sources as necessary), and I basically can't memorize anything. I don't know even half the lyrics to a single song. My personal take is that it's largely a matter of intellectual values. I think that if I con…

Can you share your definition of common law?

I said it was basically the idea of 'precedents' in law—previous court decisions increase the likelihood the the court will decide the same way in the future. And I pointed out that that probably helps to prevent legal systems from having an 'oscillating' stance on the legality of certain things (that's the 'role' I mentioned earlier, which made it stick for me).

(I think it was pretty close to that—but it was also like 6 years ago.)

Re: I’m a very slow thinker (2016)

#207

Post by coldtea »

kwhitefoot wrote: post #121
techstrategist wrote: post #63

We slow thinkers are among good company, including Charles Darwin: "I have no great quickness of apprehension or wit which is so remarkable in some clever men, for instance, Huxley. I am therefore a poor critic: a paper or book, when first read, generally excites my admiration, and it is only after considerable reflection that I perceive the weak points. My power to follow a long and purely abstract train of thought…

I wonder how many of us slow thinkers are of the same calibre as Darwin but never achieve anything because life doesn't afford them the leisure to doggedly pursue their thoughts. In my case I think I only share Darwin's disadvantages but perhaps there are others out there who could have the same impact as he did if only the circumstances were right.

>I wonder how many of us slow thinkers are of the same calibre as Darwin but never achieve anything because life doesn't afford them the leisure to doggedly pursue their thoughts.

Very very few. Aside from the fact that if one's determined, they can do it (life doesn't allow or disallow anything -- no one is required to have a nice car or a fancy house or whatever, lots of people make sacrifices for their work), there are also tons of leisurely rich people that are slow thinkers, that have nonetheless contributed remotely comparable of Darwin...

Re: I’m a very slow thinker (2016)

#208

Post by coldtea »

alex_hitchins wrote: post #173
vinceguidry wrote: post #165

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's kind of what the 'dogged pursuit' is supposed to answer. Sheer persistence counts for more than talent, always has. Not being convenient doesn't make the option unavailable.

I strongly disagree with this thinking and think at worst, it could be harmful. You wouldn't want your heart,brain,etc operation to be in the hands of someone who isn't that talented but keeps on trying.

>You wouldn't want your heart,brain,etc operation to be in the hands of someone who isn't that talented but keeps on trying.

If they tried enough that they got their degree and are known for having a good track record, then I absolutely do.

I'd also take them over a merely "talented" doctor any time.

Re: I’m a very slow thinker (2016)

#209

Post by cloverich »

alex_hitchins wrote: post #173
vinceguidry wrote: post #165

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's kind of what the 'dogged pursuit' is supposed to answer. Sheer persistence counts for more than talent, always has. Not being convenient doesn't make the option unavailable.

I strongly disagree with this thinking and think at worst, it could be harmful. You wouldn't want your heart,brain,etc operation to be in the hands of someone who isn't that talented but keeps on trying.

I strongly disagree with this based on personal experience. I regularly met people I was smarter than in medical school who _consistently_ out performed me. And the reason was simple: They were _extremely_ diligent, hard-working, motivated, and professional. Among other valuable lessons I learned that people vastly overestimate the role of intelligence in just about every aspect of life. It can give you sorts of advantages in life, but the majority of success is still chalked up to grit, persistence, motivation -- and the knowledge that results from it.

Re: I’m a very slow thinker (2016)

#210

Post by HeyLaughingBoy »

alex_hitchins wrote: post #197
vinceguidry wrote: post #187

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was arguing from the perspective of somebody trying to get something they want, the individual perspective, but it seems like you are considering the social utility one. While I can facially agree that there can be some arenas in which persistence can cause concern, I don't understand where your strong disagreement comes from. And personally, I want my heart operated on by the guy that's done hundreds of heart oper…

> the individual perspective I see your side more clearly now. You are correct that I was thinking more along the social unity side. Not sure I'd say I agree completely with you, but I see where I was mistaken before. On the individual note, is it that persistence wins, or that the win is felt with the inevitable mental compromise taken in order to feel one has succeeded? I do see that it's better to try and fail tha…

Most wealthy people worked their asses off to get there. Persistence wins again.

It's sad, but this is a fact that so many people discount. It's much easier to think in terms of "the rich asshole" who got all his money from Daddy and didn't have to lift a finger.

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