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One of the most incredible feelings is when you make that new connection of understanding on an idea. Sometimes it's when two things you knew get connected in a

One of the most incredible feelings is when you make that new connection of understanding on an idea. Sometimes it's when two things you knew get connected in a way you didn't think existed, and sometimes it's when a complicated idea all fits into place in your mind. It's probably the drug that keeps people programming despite all the configuration hell we have to deal with on any non-trivial project (and even most trivial ones). Every single one of 3Blue1Brown's has given me a big hit of that new brain connection drug. If you enjoy this video, I recommend checking out 3Blue1Brown's video "What does genius look like in math? Where does it come from? (Dandelin spheres)", which deals with how and why ellipses and conic sections are related. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQa_tWZmlGs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQa_tWZmlGs

knrz 8y ago
I love the feeling you're describing! The understanding of an abstraction (or in other words, a mental model) that links two parallel thought processes in an unexpected, and fun way. I like the term Kensho [0], thought you might too. Interested in thoughts from other people as well. [0]: https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/tMhEv28KJYWsu6Wdo/kensho https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/tMhEv28KJYWsu6Wdo/kensho
- Jarwain 8y ago
  I like the concept of kensho. I find the idea that certain ideas can only be accurately conveyed through experience to be interesting as well. I'm working my way through a book called "The Book Of Secrets", which has 114 different meditative techniques for different kinds of minds. One of which, is practically certain to work for any given individual.
wruza 8y ago
Moreover, I would recommend to watch most of their videos, at least to myself. No one could introduce me to so many ideas in so little hours without leaving any open question. This channel and its companions are fantastic if you somehow missed deep math sense at school. It is not “lets learn another seemingly useless theorem” study, it is kickstart introduction to selected interesting topics.
laythea 8y ago
I agree. This guy is the best math teacher I've heard.
FiveDegrees 8y ago
You may enjoy the game The Witness. The entire game is basically built around inducing that feeling.
- etherealG 8y ago
  Seconding that. This was one of my favourite games ever because of how well it manages to achcieve that feeling.

knrz 8y ago

I love the feeling you're describing! The understanding of an abstraction (or in other words, a mental model) that links two parallel thought processes in an unexpected, and fun way. I like the term Kensho [0], thought you might too. Interested in thoughts from other people as well. [0]: https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/tMhEv28KJYWsu6Wdo/kensho https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/tMhEv28KJYWsu6Wdo/kensho

Jarwain 8y ago
I like the concept of kensho. I find the idea that certain ideas can only be accurately conveyed through experience to be interesting as well. I'm working my way through a book called "The Book Of Secrets", which has 114 different meditative techniques for different kinds of minds. One of which, is practically certain to work for any given individual.

wruza 8y ago

Moreover, I would recommend to watch most of their videos, at least to myself. No one could introduce me to so many ideas in so little hours without leaving any open question. This channel and its companions are fantastic if you somehow missed deep math sense at school. It is not “lets learn another seemingly useless theorem” study, it is kickstart introduction to selected interesting topics.

laythea 8y ago

I agree. This guy is the best math teacher I've heard.

FiveDegrees 8y ago

You may enjoy the game The Witness. The entire game is basically built around inducing that feeling.

etherealG 8y ago
Seconding that. This was one of my favourite games ever because of how well it manages to achcieve that feeling.