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→ More Info on the 12 Favorite Problems Method
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Example: My 12 Favorite Problems
The Questions I want to answer in my Life
An Example for yours.
To Edit: Your 12 Favorite Problems
The questions YOU want to answer in YOUR Life –
You can edit everything in the box below.
Finished Favorite Problems
The published Favorite Problems of other paticipants. Do you share a common problem? Can you help them, or would you like to connect?
About
„You have to keep a dozen of your favorite problems constantly present in your mind, although by and large they will lay in a dormant state. Every time you hear or read a new trick or a new result, test it against each of your twelve problems to see whether it helps. Every once in a while there will be a hit, and people will say, ‚How did he do it? He must be a genius!‚“
Richard Philips Feynman
Feynman’s 12 Favorite Problems
- How can we ​​measure the probability that a lump of uranium might explode too soon?
- How can I accurately keep track of time in my head?
- How can we design a large-scale computing system using only basic equipment?
- How can I write a sentence in perfect handwritten Chinese script?
- What is the unifying principle underlying light, radio, magnetism, and electricity?
- How can I sustain a two-handed polyrhythm on the drums?
- What are the most effective ways of teaching introductory physics concepts?
- What is the smallest working machine that can be constructed?
- How can I compute the emission of light from an excited atom?
- What was the root cause of the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster?
- How could the discoveries of nuclear physics be used to promote peace instead of war?
- How can I keep doing important research with all the fame brought by the Nobel Prize?
Inspired by Tiago Forte during his Course How to Build A Second Brain.
It’s good to settle on the number 12, as there are only so many things you can keep in your head at a time. According to science, your short-term memory can hold only 7 +/-2 pieces of information. Of course, your favorite problems are not limited to your short-term memory, but your capacity to filter information in order to solve those problems is limited. In short: Opt for 12, but don’t panic if you arrive at 8 or 15.
The 12 Favorite Problems refer to a list of open-ended questions or challenges that you keep in mind and revisit regularly. These are problems you find fascinating and important but don’t necessarily have immediate solutions for.
Your favorite problems can span a wide range of topics, from professional challenges to personal interests. They can be big, fundamental questions or more practical issues. The important thing is that they genuinely interest and motivate you.
There’s no set schedule for updating your list. As you make progress on some problems or your interests evolve, you may naturally want to add new questions or remove others. The list should remain dynamic and relevant to your current pursuits
The idea is that by keeping these problems in mind, you create a „serendipity engine.“ As you encounter new information or ideas in your daily life, you automatically test them against your favorite problems. This can lead to unexpected insights and connections.
Sharing your list can be beneficial. It can lead to interesting discussions and potentially connect you with others who are interested in similar questions. However, it’s not necessary – the primary value comes from keeping these problems in your own mind.