Working things out from first principles is possible in principle(sic), but usually requires too much processing power. Chess players get better because as they

Working things out from first principles is possible in principle(sic), but usually requires too much processing power. Chess players get better because as they practice, the memory many constellations of pieces relative to each other, and what outcomes they favor. The same applies to many mental skills: you learn about problems and possible solutions, and then when you approach new problems, you recognize parts of those problems, or structural similarities. How likely is it, that given the C language reference, and some hardware specification manuals, you'd arrive at the Linux kernel, with no programming experience? Possible, but only in the theoretical sense. The message behind my ramblings is that you should embrace your experience and intuition rather than striving to work from first principles.