Of efficiency and methodology

There are only too many articles and books which pertains to the discussion of efficiency and methodology. In book [1], the author believes that in terms of developing a production of software, the pragmatic method is to develop a good-enough version of software, and then to improve it while it is used by consumers. To put it in a general question, a good-enough method is also a satisfactory way to make the things run. In the Zhihu answer [2], when one individual would like to acquaint himself with a new knowledge area (e.g. purchasing money market funds), there are several ways: 1) use Internet search tool to know the basic knowledge. 2) consult an expert about the outline and important point (a good way is to search this question in zhihu.com or quora.com). 3) and then choose a learning path and learn it systematically. And, if possible, the good way is learning by doing. In book [3], Li asserts that one should directly practice the method given by a good teacher — assuming that this method proved to be good by double-blind experiments — and judge if this method is useful to him. In the textbook of Chinese high school philosophy, productive forces indicate relations of production (just treat the methodology as one of the relations of production). In article [4], Professor Luo thinks that one has to develop and improve his own methodology system, by logging, reflection and executing. However, on the other hand, book [5] insists that effectiveness is more important than efficiency, especially in the point of view of long-term period. This standing is similar to that saying: good decisions are more important than efforts. Another Zhihu answer too supports this view [6]; this answer argues that the rich people prefer to constrain (focus on their advantages and the rules of games), while the poor people prefer to optimize (improving efficiency is one of the optimization) — this conclusion is statistically true.

First and foremost, my current reliable solution (work flow) is:

1) search it on google or zhihu.com

2) choose a comparatively good solution

3) start the action.

This method works well in such area as learning clarinets, coding, etc. Why don't I choose a better clarinet teaching source? Because at that time, I don't have enough judgement to decide which one is better. Also, the benefits of spending more time on judging whether this method is better and on searching for and testing more methods are not as many as the benefits of using the current optimized solution and getting started.

There is a threshold of efficiency in one individual's specific stage. To put it another way, when the efficiency of a method (let's say, time management) approaching to a certain degree, the border effect occurs (the more time is invested, the slower growing speed is gained). Assure that you already reach the 70% of the efficiency score. If you want to increase the efficiency, besides the risk of time consumption, there is also the risk of decreasing the efficiency, for this method may not be suitable for you, or within a short time period, the harness ability of yours for it has not reached the point where the new method's efficiency outperforms the old method's efficiency. Therefore, if one has only 2 weeks to prepare for an exam, it is wiser to use the old exam preparation system to handle it. If a new term is forthcoming, then the new method that might prove to be satisfactory can be learned, tested and practiced.

Quoting Li's words: a good-enough method plus persistence, it can already help you handle the task in front of you [3]. For example, my friend Ximin Wang's supervisor, an eminent researcher, only uses the ".txt" files to manage the references in his research paper, while we spending lots of time on studying several kinds of references management tool — Endnote, Noteexpress, etc. A prestigious lawyer in Boston in 1970 managed to keep his compact to-do lists and agendas in order only by his notebook and pen, while there are still many present-day people who cannot control their time and their life even with the help of PC and cellphone (so, I believe it is good to be old-style, if the new tool does not outperform the old one. And whether a tool is useful depends on the wisdom of the user...)

Furthermore, there is a saying: productive forces indicate relations of production, and relations of production react with productive forces. The productive forces here can be treated as efficiency, and the relations of production can be treated as resources in one's environment (as we can see, the difference of resources at the platforms of Nanchang University, Chongqing University and Harvard University and the differences of the accessibility of sources when one is studying in an elementary school, in a high school and in an university.

I agree with Professor Luo's theory: one has to improve his own efficiency system (or methodology) by logging, reflection and refinement little by little, especially when a new method is introduced to his system [4].

Therefore, my current and satisfactory solution is: after spending the time which is bucketed beforehand on the learning of the methodology of a certain task, I start to do it via the good-enough method. When I am doing it, I improve and refine my own system little by little, according to my first-hand experience and the newly-gained better methodology. If the modification is small-scale, then I simply correct the old system and refine it. If the modification is large-scale, then I arrange a safe time to launch a revolution of the system. For instance, one of my big revolution of efficiency system is the electronization of my knowledge system [7]. I employ this method only after an important exam. In a nutshell, the key is learning by doing, and more importantly, improving by doing.

As a matter of fact, the topic of the efficiency of the methodology involves the ability of making good decisions, which involves the ability of searching and organizing information. For instance, to reproduce an experiment in a research paper, which one will you choose as the operating environment, an apple computer (Mackintosh) or a computer with Windows-based system? Then, which one will you use as the coding language, Matlab or Python? Still, use Tensorflow or Keras framework? These topics (the ability of making good decisions, the ability of searching and organizing information) will be discussed later in some specific articles.

[1] The Pragmatic Programmer

[2] zhihu.com. How to quickly get involved in a field?

[3] Treat time as a friend

[4] Zhaofeng Luo, professor, https://www.jianshu.com/p/fed82ce819c4

[5] How to get control of your time and your life

[6] zhihu.com and Douban article. What is the way the rich think?
https://www.douban.com/group/topic/23701205/

[7] Douglas C. Merrill, Getting Organized in the Google Era: How to Get Stuff out of Your Head, Find It When You Need It, and Get It Done Right [M].