Reading is a fundamental practice that helps us expand our knowledge, broaden our perspectives, and enhance our creativity. As Steve Jobs famously stated, "Creativity is just connecting things." By reading, we are constantly exposed to different ideas and experiences, which allows us to make connections and synthesize new concepts. In this article, we will explore the importance of reading in becoming a first-class scientist and how it can contribute to personal and professional growth.

Hatched by Kazuki
Jul 09, 2023
8 min read
2 views
Copy Link
Reading is a fundamental practice that helps us expand our knowledge, broaden our perspectives, and enhance our creativity. As Steve Jobs famously stated, "Creativity is just connecting things." By reading, we are constantly exposed to different ideas and experiences, which allows us to make connections and synthesize new concepts. In this article, we will explore the importance of reading in becoming a first-class scientist and how it can contribute to personal and professional growth.
Understanding Yourself: Knowing Your Strengths and Weaknesses
To become a first-class scientist, it is crucial to have a deep understanding of yourself, including your strengths, weaknesses, and even your faults. As Richard Hamming, a prominent mathematician and computer scientist, points out in his famous speech "You and Your Research," converting a fault into an asset can be a powerful strategy for success.
Hamming emphasizes that successful scientists often change their viewpoint and transform what may initially seem like a defect into an advantage. By recognizing and embracing your weaknesses, you can find ways to leverage them, turning them into assets that contribute to your work.
The Value of Struggle: The Journey Matters More than the Result
In our pursuit of excellence, it is important to remember that the value lies not only in the end result but also in the struggle itself. The process of striving to do first-class work is worthwhile in its own right. Success and fame are merely byproducts of this struggle.
Hamming reminds us that luck alone cannot guarantee success. While luck may play a role in discovering something important, it is the prepared mind that ultimately seizes the opportunity. As Louis Pasteur famously said, "Luck favors the prepared mind." Therefore, it is crucial to cultivate knowledge, continuously learn, and be prepared to recognize and act upon significant opportunities when they arise.
Courage and Independent Thinking: Key Traits of Successful Scientists
Hamming highlights the importance of courage and independent thinking in the lives of great scientists. Many successful scientists, including Hamming himself, had independent thoughts from a young age and the courage to pursue them. This characteristic sets them apart and enables them to make groundbreaking contributions to their fields.
Courage is essential in overcoming self-doubt and believing in one's ability to tackle important problems. Hamming suggests that if you think you can't, you most likely won't. To achieve greatness, it is vital to have the courage to believe in your capabilities and take on significant challenges.
Timing and Age: The Impact on Productivity
While the timing and age at which individuals produce their best work vary across different fields, there is a general trend observed in the scientific community. Most mathematicians, theoretical physicists, and astrophysicists produce their best work when they are young. However, this does not imply that exceptional work cannot be accomplished at later stages of one's career.
In contrast, fields such as music, politics, and literature often see individuals producing their best work later in life. Therefore, it is important to recognize the potential impact of age in your field and identify the most productive stage of your career. By understanding this, you can make the most of your time and energy, focusing on producing exceptional work when it is most likely to have a significant impact.
The Importance of Working Conditions: Productivity Amidst Constraints
Contrary to popular belief, the best working conditions are not always the most conducive to productivity. Hamming asserts that people are often most productive when faced with challenging or unfavorable conditions. Constraints can be a source of innovation, pushing individuals to think creatively and find unique solutions to problems.
Hamming shares his personal experience, noting that what appeared to be a defect in his working conditions forced him to adopt automatic programming early on. By changing his viewpoint, he transformed what initially seemed like a fault into one of his greatest assets.
Knowledge and Productivity: The Power of Continuous Learning
Hamming draws a parallel between knowledge and compound interest, stating that knowledge and productivity accumulate over time. The more knowledge you acquire, the more you can learn and subsequently accomplish. This continuous cycle of learning and doing creates a compounding effect similar to compound interest.
Thomas Edison famously claimed that "Genius is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration," highlighting the importance of consistent effort and hard work in achieving greatness. However, simply working hard is not enough; it must be applied sensibly and intelligently. The misapplication of effort can hinder progress and prevent the attainment of optimal results.
Selling Your Ideas: Effective Communication is Key
As a scientist, it is not sufficient to merely do the work; you must also be able to effectively communicate and sell your ideas. While presenting your work may feel uncomfortable or unnatural, it is essential to present it in such a way that captures the attention and interest of others.
Hamming emphasizes the importance of clear and well-written communication, as well as the ability to deliver both formal and informal presentations. By refining your communication skills, you can effectively convey the value and significance of your work to others, increasing its impact and potential for recognition.
Commitment and Drive: The Ingredients for Great Work
To achieve greatness, commitment and drive are crucial. Hamming notes that individuals who are committed to their work and display a deep level of dedication often achieve more than those who possess great skill but lack the necessary commitment.
When you have a vision or an important problem, it is essential to keep your thoughts focused on it. By prioritizing your attention and keeping your subconscious mind engaged with the problem, you increase the likelihood of finding innovative solutions. Deep commitment and unwavering focus are essential ingredients for producing first-class work.
Working within the System: Balancing Innovation and Management
To truly excel, one must strike a delicate balance between challenging the existing system and working within it. While some scientists may choose to fight against the system, Hamming advises that it is often more fruitful to learn how to work with the system and take advantage of the resources and support it offers.
By understanding and leveraging the system effectively, you can maximize your potential and reach greater heights. This requires patience, adaptability, and the ability to navigate the intricacies of organizational structures. It is important to decide whether you want to be the person who changes the system or the person who focuses on doing first-class science.
Originality and Vision: Thinking Differently and Pursuing Big Ideas
To be an original scientist, you must possess originality in various aspects of your life. Originality is about being different and thinking outside the box. By reading and exposing yourself to diverse ideas, you can foster creativity and develop a unique perspective.
Hamming encourages individuals to think new thoughts and avoid simply regurgitating what others have already done. By carefully considering a problem and exploring different angles, you can approach it from a fresh perspective. This approach can lead to innovative breakthroughs and truly exceptional work.
The Power of Accountability: Committing to Your Goals
Accountability plays a significant role in achieving your goals. When you commit to completing a task or reaching a specific milestone, you create a sense of responsibility that motivates you to follow through. By sharing your commitments with others, you establish a level of external pressure that drives you to perform.
Hamming shares his personal experience of committing to completing a book before leaving and using his ego as a means of self-motivation. By bragging about his intentions, he created a sense of accountability that pushed him to deliver on his promise. This approach can be applied in various aspects of life and serves as a valuable strategy for achieving personal and professional goals.
Reading for Problem Identification: Finding Important Problems
Reading is not only about finding solutions; it is also a means of identifying important problems. To truly make an impact, you must stay informed and understand the current state of your field. By keeping up with the latest research and trends, you can identify gaps and areas that require further exploration and investigation.
Hamming emphasizes the importance of reading to find out what the problems are, rather than solely seeking solutions. By identifying important problems, you can direct your efforts and focus on the areas that have the potential for significant breakthroughs. This approach ensures that your work remains relevant, impactful, and aligned with the needs of your field.
Conclusion
Reading is a powerful tool that can enhance your knowledge, broaden your perspectives, and fuel your creativity. By understanding yourself, embracing your strengths and weaknesses, and finding ways to leverage them, you can convert your faults into assets. Success in science requires courage, independent thinking, and a commitment to pursuing important problems. Working within the system and effectively communicating your ideas are also crucial skills that contribute to your success.
Continuous learning, a deep sense of commitment, and the ability to balance innovation with management are essential for achieving greatness. By thinking differently, pursuing big ideas, and fostering originality, you can make significant contributions to your field. Finally, by holding yourself accountable and committing to your goals, you can maximize your potential and accomplish remarkable things.
Actionable Advice:
- 1. Embrace your weaknesses and find ways to leverage them to your advantage. Convert your faults into assets that contribute to your work.
- 2. Continuously challenge yourself and seek important problems to solve. Stay informed about the current state of your field and identify areas that require further exploration.
- 3. Foster originality by thinking differently and pursuing big ideas. Read not only to find solutions but also to identify gaps and areas that need further investigation.
In summary, reading is a powerful tool that can shape your thinking, enhance your creativity, and contribute to your success as a first-class scientist. By regularly exposing yourself to new ideas and perspectives, you can expand your horizons and make meaningful contributions to your field. The journey of personal and professional growth lies in the struggle, the learning, and the pursuit of important problems. So keep reading, keep learning, and keep pushing the boundaries of knowledge.
Resource:
Copy Link