This is a good example of the kind of thinking which may increase some specific, short-term result, such as your output of "production code", but which inhibit

This is a good example of the kind of thinking which may increase some specific, short-term result, such as your output of "production code", but which inhibit attaining broader knowledge and reflection. I find it interesting that this was your thought, I suspect, as you had a break from your cancer curing research to check HN for new and relevant information. I'll let you get right back to your saving the world. But I suspect you won't get very far. Just as important as small-but-sure incremental steps towards the local maximum, is giant leaps to new realms of possibility. Guess which type of increment are more influenced by seemingly unrelated, superfluous and irrelevant knowledge.