“Neumann, to a physicist seeking help with a difficult problem: Simple. This can be solved by using the method of characteristics. Physicist: I'm afraid I don't understand the method of characteristics. Neumann: In mathematics you don't understand things. You just get used to them.” HelpingProblemScienceUsedDifficultUnderstandingSimpleMathematicsMethodSeekingCharacteristicsPhysicistDifficult ProblemsSeeking Help Author:John von Neumann
“To a novelist, fluidity is the ultimate good omen; suddenly difficult problems are simply solved, intractable structural knots loosen themselves, and you come upon the key without even recognizing that this is what you hold.” ProblemDifficultKeysUltimateNovelistsRecognizingKnotsOmenFluidityGood OmensDifficult Problems Author:Zadie Smith
“I really believe, in my heart and soul, that if we would rebuild and strengthen the family structure in the country, you'd start to really deal with a number of the most difficult problems we're having in the country today, in poverty, education, and in crime, but we've broken the family structure up.” IfsBelieveHeartSoulCountryProblemTodayDifficultDealsNumbersPovertyCrimeBrokenMy HeartStructureHeart And SoulDifficult Problems Author:Sam Brownback
“How far does one combine resistance to over-control with social justice, i.e. tolerable living for people in general? We are too selfish to be trusted, if left free, to give away enough to make people comfortable enough to give them a chance. Yet if all this is ordered for us, as to some extent it has to be, it so soon leads to tyranny. It is a very difficult problem. If only human beings had more pity, unselfishness, and justice and didn't need coercion to treat each other decently.” PeopleIfsNeedsGivingHumansDoeEnoughProblemLeftSocialDifficultJusticeChanceHuman BeingsCompassionComfortableTreatsSocial JusticeSelfishTyrannyResistancePityTrustedCoercionTolerableUnselfishnessDifficult Problems Author:Rose Macaulay
“When you are solving a difficult problem re-ask the problem so that your solution helps you learn faster. Find a faster way to fail, recover, and try again. If the problem you are trying to solve involves creating a magnum opus, you are solving the wrong problem.” IfsWayTryingHelpingProblemAsksDifficultFailingCreatingSolutionsSolveFasterTry AgainDifficult Problems Author:Aza Raskin
“To the young I should offer two maxims: Don't accept superficial solutions of difficult problems. It is better to do a little good than much harm. I should not offer anything more specific; every young person should decide on his or her own credo.” ShouldLittlesPersonsTwoProblemYoungDifficultAcceptingYouthOffersSolutionsHarmSuperficialMaximsDifficult ProblemsCredo Author:Bertrand Russell
“Perceived self-efficacy also shapes causal thinking. In seeking solutions to difficult problems, those who perceived themselves as highly efficacious are inclined to attribute their failures to insufficient effort, whereas those of comparable skills but lower perceived self-efficacy ascribe their failures to deficient ability” ThinkingSelfProblemDifficultAbilityEffortShapesSkillsSolutionsSeekingAttributesInsufficientEfficacySelf EfficacyDifficult ProblemsPerceived Self Book:Social foundations of thought and action: a social cognitive theory Source: Social foundations of thought and action: a social cognitive theory
“Most people will solve the problems they know how to solve. Roughly speaking they will solve B+ problems instead of A+ problems. A+ problems are high impact problems for your company but they're difficult problems.” PeopleKnowsProblemDifficultCompanyKnow HowImpactSolveDifficult Problems Author:Keith Rabois
“The system [of thought] doesn't stay with the difficult problem that produces unpleasant feelings. It's conditioned somehow to move as fast as it can toward more pleasant feelings, without actually facing the thing that's making the unpleasant feeling.” MindFeelingsProblemMovingFearDifficultProducePleasantDifficult Problems Book:Thought as a System Source: Thought as a System