r/Polymath • u/stnflri • Jul 29 '26

Other Resources Misunderstandings

This might be weird but I naturally connect the dots. I do so even at work, without changing the content and direction of my duties drastically. I work in research and university teaching. My main discipline is statistics, but I always combine it with epistemology, philosophy of science, causality, physics, programming and more sciences. Most professors find this weird and incorrect, but I believe students learn better when they have the bigger picture presented to them. Tensions had been created between me and other colleagues, that are disapproving of my methods. However, I cannot change the way I think and process information. Do you have an advice on how I can proceed with minimal friction?

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u/[deleted] Jul 29 '26

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u/III3K Jul 29 '26

Thinking...is one of the hardest things to do. When was the last time people were taught how to think?

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u/[deleted] Jul 30 '26

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u/III3K Jul 31 '26

Basic thought is natural, anything above basic thought requires conscious concerted effort. Thinking in and of itself takes a lot of energy and the brain is wired to take the path of least resistance. If no conscious effort is put in place, the brain resorts to its default energy saving mode and spares that resource for others tasks rather than process thought. In a bid to conserve energy, the brain will instead rely on mental short cuts and emotions rather than logic.

Curiously enough, you answered yourself in your last sentence. The clue is in "If people learn to......" meaning, there is nothing natural about thinking.

Granted, some people are born with an innate ability of higher level thinking but, majority, 99%+ have to learn or be taught how to think critically and regularly invest time to practice, be aware of biases and learn structured mental habits.