You and your research | Richard W. Hamming

你和你的研究

https://gwern.net/doc/science/1986-hamming

Great work is something else than mere brains. Brains are measured in various ways. In mathematics, theoretical physics, astrophysics, typically brains correlates to a great extent with the ability to manipulate symbols.

What most people think are the best working conditions, are not. • Because people are often most productive when working conditions are bad.

大多数人所认为的最佳工作条件，其实并非如此。很明显不是，因为人们往往在条件艰苦时，才最具创造力。剑桥大学的卡文迪许实验室，其成果最丰硕的时期之一，正是当他们几乎在棚屋里做研究的时候——他们做出了物理学史上最出色的一些工作。

I spent a good deal more of my time for some years trying to work a bit harder and I found, in fact, I could get more work done. I don‟t like to say it in front of my wife, but I did sort of neglect her sometimes; I needed to study. You have to neglect things if you intend to get what you want done. There‟s no question about this.

Most great scientists are completely committed to their problem. Those who don't become committed seldom produce outstanding, first-class work. When you have a real important problem you don‟t let anything else get the center of your attention you keep your thoughts on the problem.