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Thinking Like a Genius

Nate — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:10:34 +0000

While using StumbleUpon (oh how I love StumbleUpon) today, I came across an article on processes often found in use by those considered to be genius, be it in science, art, politics, you name it. There is a trend among these elite intellectuals when it comes to solving problems. I have decided that I sometimes use a couple of these approaches, but not nearly as much as I’d like. I will admit that I’m not the most creative person, but I’d like to work on it. Therefore, I am going to try to adopt these ways of thinking because they all make perfect sense when it comes to trying to solve a problem. Anyway, here are the nine approaches to creative problem solving posted in this article:

Nine approaches to creative problem solving:

Rethink! Look at problems in many different ways.

Visualize! Utilize diagrams and imagery to analyze your dilemma.

Produce! Genius is productive.

Combine! Make novel combinations…

Form! Form relationships.

Opposite! Think in opposites.

Metaphor/simile! Think metaphorically.

Failure! Learning from your mistakes is one example of using failure.

Patience! Don’t confuse inspiration with ideas.

Simple aren’t they? I will now be trying to integrate these methods into my everyday challenges to improve my ability to tackle a wide range of tasks and challenges, from the typical and mundane, to the exceptionally difficult and exotic. I will be watching to see how I handle tasks to see if these have a significant impact on my thinking process, which I am hoping to make more efficient and creative. I hope you also will try to incorporate these into your lives, as I think they could make a difference for anyone if used regularly!

Follow the link above for the full post and more extensive explanations and examples of these problem solving methods. It is an interesting read to say the least, and will hopefully be helpful!

Inspiring Words

Nate — Fri, 11 May 2012 02:12:35 +0000

I just want to share this quote from the introduction video of Dr. Walter Lewin’s Physics I: Classical Mechanics class at MIT, in which he is laying out the goals he has for his lectures and for what he wants to give the students:

“…My goal is not so much to cover a lot, and to make them chew on a lot of equations, but my goal is to uncover several very basic things that they will remember for the rest of their lives, even if they never need physics anymore. I want them to see the beauty of physics. I want them to love physics.”

I really hope I get some physics professors like this in my future as a student, because I think it will make studying the material that is laden with countless different equations much easier if the professor has a genuine interest in what they teaching and wants to share this world of interesting things with their students.

This is how I’d like to teach, if I ever get the opportunity, and I don’t think that will be so hard. I already see much of the beauty of physics, and beautiful it is. I’ve barely just begun, but I know it will be a great journey (once I get the math down!).

Here is the full video introduction, if you are interested:

And the site where all the video lectures of Dr. Lewin’s Classical Mechanics class is here.

Imagining the Tenth Dimension

Nate — Tue, 08 May 2012 22:42:07 +0000

Looking for your daily brain-bender? Look no further, for I have one that’s certain to suffice! Ever hear of String Theory? Well it’s quite a complicated concept in modern physics that today’s scientists are scrambling to figure out. Basically, in this theory, there are additional spacial dimensions stacked on top of our familiar three spacial and one time dimensions. I could try to make a stab at explaining some of the finer points of these dimensions, but there are many that are far more articulate than myself who have already done that. The following is a two-part video explanation of imagining the ten dimensions by Rob Bryanton, who has authored a book on the topic. He does a wonderful thing by taking a more intutive approach, rather than mathematical, which makes it much more understandable (because I assure you, the math behind this theory is enough to scare the bejeezus out of just about anyone).

Part 1:

Part 2:

And a third video on the eleventh dimension:

I have watched these several times through at different times and I can say it’s beginning to sink in at a good level. What tripped me up was the fifth and sixth dimensions; these gave me the most trouble in trying to visualize, whereas the others were all fairly straightforward.

This may not have a major impact on most people, after all, we mostly just care about the three dimensions in which we live and wish the fourth wasn’t there so we wouldn’t age, but it is important (and also interesting) nonetheless. As for me, I’ll probably have a class or two devoted solely to studying String Theory in the near future, so I need to be as familiar with this as possible!

And as a bonus, a much shorter video from MinutePhysics on dimensions of our universe:

Hope you enjoyed, and I welcome your thoughts on this topics, assuming your brain hasn’t overheated like mine did at first with this topic!

The Most Astounding Fact (video with Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson)

Nate — Sat, 05 May 2012 19:19:55 +0000

It is the ability to think and reflect on facts such as these, and the people like Dr. Tyson, that make me feel like my pursuit of a career in science will be worth it. Enjoy this short video featuring Dr. Tyson as he reflects on the most astounding fact the universe has to offer.

Posted by YouTube user MaxSchlick.