Re:Learning algebra in my 60s
by Viliam1234 on Monday August 08, 2022 @06:01PM
(#32391664)
The problem with using the right techniques is that there are essentially three kinds of techniques:
a) fast at the beginning, then gradually slow down, e.g. rote memorization;
b) slow at the beginning, then gradually speed up, e.g. deep understanding;
c) slow at the beginning, then remain slow forever, e.g. doing something chaotic and stupid.
The problem is that sometimes you have incompetent people who use the third kind of method. Then, when things blow up, people start paying close attention to the speed, and reject any method that is slow at the beginning, because they suspect it would be the same story.
(In other words: premature optimization, technical debt.)
a) fast at the beginning, then gradually slow down, e.g. rote memorization;
b) slow at the beginning, then gradually speed up, e.g. deep understanding;
c) slow at the beginning, then remain slow forever, e.g. doing something chaotic and stupid.
The problem is that sometimes you have incompetent people who use the third kind of method. Then, when things blow up, people start paying close attention to the speed, and reject any method that is slow at the beginning, because they suspect it would be the same story.
(In other words: premature optimization, technical debt.)