Don't undertake a project unless it is manifestly important and nearly impossible.
Edwin LandRead
It is a curious property of research activity that after the problem has been solved the solution seems obvious. This is true not only for those who have not previously been acquainted with the problem, but also for those who have worked over it for years.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Research often reveals solutions that seem clear only after they have been discovered, demonstrating a common human experience with understanding complex problems.
This quote highlights the phenomenon in research and problem-solving where solutions appear obvious only after they have been found. It emphasizes the idea that understanding comes with hindsight; even seasoned experts can overlook the simplicity of a solution they have struggled with until it is revealed. This speaks to the nature of learning and discovery, suggesting that the journey to find answers can obscure our perception of what those answers might be.
Themes
ResearchSolutionUnderstandingDiscoveryInsight
In practice
Example use cases
In a presentation about problem-solving techniques, this quote can be used to illustrate how hindsight can provide clarity.
More from Edwin Land
All quotes →Industry is best at the intersection of science and art.
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I believe quite simply that the small company of the future will be as much a research organization as it is a manufacturing company.
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My motto is very personal and may not fit anyone else or any other company. It is: Don't do anything that someone else can do. Don't undertake a project unless it is manifestly important and nearly impossible.
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Work only on problems that are manifestly important and seem to be nearly impossible to solve. That way you will have a natural market for your product and no competition.
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Intense concentration for hour after hour can bring out resources in people that they didn't know they had.
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