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skyberrys | on: The Importance of Limitations for Creativity and Learning (2023)
I remember one pivotal moment in college being when I was given an assignment, and I asked if some of the restrictions on the task could be removed. The teacher told me what I really did was just ask for the hard version of the problem.

I asked her what she meant, and instead of telling me, she just laughed and said go ahead, remove the restrictions and see for myself.

She was right! Without the restrictions there were so many more possibilities I had to work much harder to complete the assignment. It was still fun though and I learned more than just the assignment from that lesson.

cowlevel | parent | next
This is a very frequent experience for me when I think about writing any computer program. Passed all my algorithms and data structures with flying colours. Did some projects that were easy to start back when I knew fewer languages. Did some projects that had to be done in certain platforms for compatibility with existing software. Now new projects are hard to start. Maybe I should learn to use AI to transliterate programs and it wouldn't feel like it mattered as much?

And now I'm in the real world where you can do almost anything. It's not just software platforms that are the problem. Should I apply for jobs? Definitely. Which jobs? And what about the other paths? Should I also write some SaaS and hope I get acquihired? Which one? In which platform? Should I learn how government contracts work? Probably can't get one as an individual, but should I learn about them anyway? Should I pay the fees to found a company, even though it's just me and doesn't have a business plan, to look more legitimate to potential customers for the thing I don't even know yet?

andsoitis | root | parent | next
> And now I'm in the real world where you can do almost anything. It's not just software platforms that are the problem. Should I apply for jobs? Definitely. Which jobs? And what about the other paths? Should I also write some SaaS and hope I get acquihired? Which one? In which platform? Should I learn how government contracts work? Probably can't get one as an individual, but should I learn about them anyway? Should I pay the fees to found a company, even though it's just me and doesn't have a business plan, to look more legitimate to potential customers for the thing I don't even know yet?

Check out the book Algorithms to Live By.

podocarp | root | parent
How does that solve most of the problems they raised
| root | parent | next
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mettamage | root | parent | next
I never thought about this and now I see that I had all these questions too. Thanks for making that clear.
skyberrys | root | parent | next
I also have the same 'welcome to the real world' feeling. I would say I've been bumbling along for 15 years, but recently I've discovered the joys of hiring others. I watched a YT video that was like give yourself time back by buying help before you think you're ready.

Now I try to spend most of my time doing things more unique to me that I can't hire another person to do. It's still a moving target though, I'm going to check out that book another comment recommended.

bmitc | parent
Are you able to share what the assignment was?
skyberrys | root | parent
Yes, it was "Design a 6 sided drinking glass", and I wanted the 6 sided limitation removed.

Then in this class design means draw 6-10 preliminary sketches and choose one, then draw and paint 3 perspectives and a 3D view.