3 ms·
This is something I've been thinking about lately; so much recent pop culture centers about 'genius' figures who seem to always know what to do and how, but I d
by leggomylibro 9y ago
This is something I've been thinking about lately; so much recent pop culture centers about 'genius' figures who seem to always know what to do and how, but I don't believe that most big discoveries and innovations are a result of 'eureka' moments or some sort of savant who just Knows Everything.
What I think matters, besides good old-fashioned luck, is having a person or group of people that is willing to bang its head against a brick wall for hours on end, day after day, week after week, until the cracks finally start to show. That sort of perseverance requires a lot of things, but the ability to put off a payday until you've gotten a few more metaphorical concussions is probably a big part of it.
- justinpombrio 9y ago> person or group of people that is willing to bang its head against a brick wall for hours on end, day after day, week after week, until the cracks finally start to show This is what getting a PhD is like (at least in STEM). I mean, you do have to be smart, but you also have to be willing to work on a specific, technical, narrowly defined problem for years. It's great.
- stmfreak 9y agoI think most people would be in shock to find out how much time is spent banging the proverbial head against the wall, without interruption to blow off steam, get a drink, go see a movie, etc. most people don't have the will power to maintain that focus for the months and years it takes to make those breakthroughs.