General and Surprising

2017-08-31 · Source: Paul Graham Essays · Field: Science & Research — Research Methodology & Innovation · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, quick

Summary

This September 2017 essay explores the nature of valuable insights, defining them as both general and surprising, citing F = ma as an example. It notes that such insights are rare because the territory is often "picked clean." The author suggests that moderately valuable insights emerge from adding a small degree of generality to surprising observations (like gossip) or a small degree of novelty to general platitudes. Achieving even a small delta of novelty in general ideas is considered a significant accomplishment due to the inherent difficulty. The essay also advises against discouragement when rediscovering existing ideas or repeating oneself, emphasizing that variations in expression can lead to critical new insights and that ideas beget further ideas.

Key takeaway

For research scientists and innovators seeking impactful discoveries, focus on identifying even a small degree of novelty within highly general concepts. Your efforts to articulate familiar ideas in slightly different ways can lead to the critical "delta of novelty" that transforms a common observation into a valuable insight, despite initial appearances of rediscovery.

Key insights

Valuable insights are both general and surprising, a rare combination often achieved through incremental novelty.

Principles

• Most valuable insights are general and surprising.
• Small novelty in general ideas yields useful insights.
• Ideas beget ideas, fostering further discovery.

Method

To generate useful insights, either generalize surprising observations or introduce a small delta of novelty to broadly accepted general ideas.

In practice

• Seek small novelties in general concepts.
• Don't fear repeating yourself in general discussions.

Topics

• Insight Generation
• Novelty in Ideas
• General Principles
• Creative Process
• Intellectual Discovery

Best for: Entrepreneur, Research Scientist, General Interest

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Paul Graham Essays.