XI. Principle 8: Intuition

Question 1

What was the major difference between PhDs and undergrads when asked to sort physics problems into categories? [Ultralearning]

Answer 1

Undergrads focused on superficial features of the problem.

PhDs focused on deeper principles.

PhDs had developed deeper intuition for physics.

Question 2

If principles-first thinking is superior, why do novices focus on superficial features instead? Why don’t they just skip to focusing on principles? [Ultralearning]

Answer 2

Perhaps they can’t. It is possible that intuition comes from vast and highly organised experience.

For example, Chess Grandmasters don’t display the same marked advantage when presented with chess pieces assorted randomly, as opposed to being given a chessboard with situations that would actually arise in a game.

Question 3

What are the 4 ways to build your intuition? [Ultralearning]

Answer 3

1. Don’t give up on hard problems easily
2. Prove things to understand them
3. Always start with a concrete example
4. Don’t fool yourself

Question 4

What’s a tactic to ensure that you don’t give up on hard problems too easily? [Ultralearning]

Answer 4

Have a struggle timer.

When you think you’ve gone as far as you can on a problem, set a timer for 5-10 minutes and just keep struggling with it.

You may solve the problem. But even if you don’t, you’ll be much more receptive when the answer comes along.

Question 5

What’s a common example of proving something to show understanding? [Ultralearning]

Answer 5

Draw a picture of bike from memory. How close can you get?

Generally, not very close. We often overestimate our understanding of difficult concepts.

Question 6

What’s the main benefit of developing a concrete example when learning?

If you can’t think of one, what does this mean? [Ultralearning]

Answer 6

The main benefit is that doing so requires a deeper level of processing. The deeper the level of processing when learning, the better the learning.

If you can’t think of an appropriate example, this is good feedback that you don’t understand things well enough, and should probably go back a couple of steps.

Question 7

When ultralearning, how can you avoid fooling yourself (as to how much you understand something)?

Answer 7

Ask a lot of questions.

Including dumb, obvious questions.

Question 8

What is the Feynman Technique of learning? [Ultralearning]

Answer 8

1. Decide what you want to understand
2. Write an explanation so as to teach it to a complete beginner. Explain why you have taken the approach you’ve taken.
3. If you get stuck, go back to your references and find the answer.

Question 9

What are the 3 situations where you can apply the Feynman Technique? [Ultralearning]

Answer 9

1. For things you don’t understand at all
2. For problems you can’t seem to solve
   (Go through the problem step by step to avoid missing anything)
3. For expanding your intuition
   (Focus on illustrating the general principles in ways that would make something complicated seem less mystifying to a layman.