Comments on: Do you need ideal conditions to do great work?

By: Ideas – and Feynman | TEDxDelft

Ideas – and Feynman | TEDxDelft — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:45:22 +0000

[...] Feynman challenges the idea some scientists have that you need the ideal conditions to do great work: [...]

By: Ideal Conditions

Ideal Conditions — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 20:52:01 +0000

[...] about creating ideal conditions! There is actually some evidence that working under ideal conditions will make your work harder, not [...]

By: SAJIB

SAJIB — Sun, 22 May 2011 05:31:03 +0000

I find it very encouraging that you have started a discussion about the ability and the available facility.it will certainly help some of us to judge ourselves and take new initiatives in our works. Thanx BEN

By: Saturday 3/12/11 « Derby City CrossFit – Louisville, KY

Saturday 3/12/11 « Derby City CrossFit – Louisville, KY — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 03:02:26 +0000

[...] Saturday 3/12/11 Strength Rest WOD “Diane” 21, 15, 9 Deadlifts – 225/155lbs Handstand Push Ups CF Football Here CF Endurance Here Goblet Squats 101 Maximal Strength Training Improves Running Economy in Distance Runners Jumpstretch Band Drills and Stretches How Ideal is “Ideal Enough” for You to Do Something Great? [...]

By: Alrenous

Alrenous — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 23:05:41 +0000

"What most people think are the best working conditions, are not."

Shockingly, we find that random folk intuitions are not accurate. Untested things are bad. Full story at eleven.

"I believe that in a situation like this a kind of guilt or depression worms inside of you, and you begin to worry about not getting any ideas. And nothing happens."

Yeah, it's pretty dumb to give someone stuff and then tell them you expect inspiration out of them. Instead, reward them contingent only on past work, in a way that frees them from future obligations.

It may be that students are good to have around. But I think a truly dedicated thinker will intentionally seek them out if that's so - and if they have the opportunity, because they can live off the rewards of past work.

For instance, you, Feynman, and Gelman all advocate for having students. So...yeah.

By: Weekend miscellany — The Endeavour

Weekend miscellany — The Endeavour — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 20:45:04 +0000

[...] Ideal work conditions Two paths to success [...]

By: bendeaton

bendeaton — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 14:50:08 +0000

Thanks for the encouragement, Mark. Definitely agree there is a network effect to this and maybe the key is figuring out how to leverage that to optimize signal to noise.

By: Mark Jones Jr

Mark Jones Jr — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 13:14:20 +0000

Ben, The last two posts have been great! First, your insight into the shift to being knowledge workers is one that many still don't see, don't grasp.

But I was particularly encouraged to continue "exploring" areas with which I am not very familiar by the previous post about finding useful tools--encouraged to continue reading blogs, following knowledgeable people, listening to people's insights...I think the chances of finding these things increases with the number of meaningful connections we make with others.

Thanks, Mark

By: bendeaton

bendeaton — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 03:22:00 +0000

Daniel, thanks for pointing me to your post. Very interesting idea re: Einstein — excellent encouragement for graduate students.

By: bendeaton

bendeaton — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 01:37:49 +0000

Evan, good points. I do agree that the factors are more nuanced than my presentation. My goal is to push back against the notion that it’s okay to stall on doing real work because of a non-perfect environment. To do that, we have have to focus our efforts in the realm of things we can control. In that sense, I think the causal relationship between environment and productivity may be something more of our own creation than some inherent, external influence.