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The way I look at it, information is a force multiplier on action. If there's no action then 50 times zero is still zero.
by xouse 6y ago
The way I look at it, information is a force multiplier on action. If there's no action then 50 times zero is still zero.
- mlthoughts2018 6y agoBut then if there’s no information, zero times 50 is still zero.
- the_af 6y agoI'm not sure I agree, because the situation is in my opinion not symmetrical. Work without reading about it: might work, and often does. Reading about it without doing the work: way less useful.
- disgruntledphd2 6y agoSpend a week in the lab to save a day in the library?
- the_af 6y agoI should have been clearer: I was talking about motivational or self-improvement sort of books and articles, as is the topic of TFA. I wouldn't try it with lab work, though pioneering work sometimes was that way ;)
- disgruntledphd2 6y agoI was mostly being facetious, thanks for taking it so well :)
- maxwebdev 6y agoWorked for Edison
- mlthoughts2018 6y agoMy view is the opposite, basically the adage “measure twice, cut once.” Work without research often is actively harmful in addition to failing and wasting time & resources. Research at least improves knowledge while not wasting other resources besides time.
- the_af 6y agoIn science, engineering and coding, I agree! However, I felt the context of this conversation was self-improvement though. In this particular context, it's easier to get things done without reading any motivational books/articles (in fact, most people get things done without reading about how to self motivate), and the contrary -- reading self-improvement articles -- doesn't mean anything if you don't do the actual work. Let me quote the initial post of this subthread, which is the sentiment I agree with: > "The thing about working on yourself is that it’s actually work. Reading an article, or a book on behaviour, self-improvement and what else doesn’t actually change you any more than reading Harry Potter does."
- mlthoughts2018 6y agoI think it’s true no matter the domain. You should take a scientific approach to self improvement.