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FWIW, at least in mathematics "obvious" doesn't mean "you're an idiot if you don't instantly understand this." It means, "this isn't deep. If you're thinking ab
by mikebenfield 9y ago
FWIW, at least in mathematics "obvious" doesn't mean "you're an idiot if you don't instantly understand this." It means, "this isn't deep. If you're thinking about really deep, complicated things beyond what we've been talking about, you're missing the point."
I have on multiple occasions sat down and worked with another mathematician on a problem for an hour+, only for us to find the solution and both conclude that the answer was "obvious."
- paultopia 9y agoAs a professor in a non-math subject, I agree with this and think it generalizes. I often say "this is obvious" as a way to communicate to students "you're overthinking this like woah."