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What Problems to Solve (1966)

(genius.cat-v.org)
456 points jxmorris12 | 1 comments | 25 Jun 25 17:08 UTC | HN request time: 0.222s | source
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amelius ◴[26 Jun 25 09:33 UTC] No.44385687[source]▶
> I have worked on innumerable problems that you would call humble, but which I enjoyed and felt very good about because I sometimes could partially succeed. For example, ... [list of many problems] ... Plus all the “grander” problems of quantum theory.

I'm having difficulty understanding what is meant here. Does he intend to say that his student thinks quantum theory is a humble problem?

replies(2): >>44386521 #>>44387510 #
1. 9dev ◴[26 Jun 25 13:59 UTC] No.44387510[source]▶
Part of the point here, IMHO, was to show that Feynman himself worked on numerous problems, even small ones, not just those he is famous for, and sometimes even failing to solve them.

My interpretation is that he is both meaning to say that getting where he is took a lot of patience and hard work, and also that it is on yourself to determine which problems are worth your time. Which are both very important insights to have if you don't want to feel miserable.