ZOD: Learn it when you need it
ZOD: Learn it when you need it
Zen of Data Science #10
The Big Idea
Re-learning math as an adult is tough.
The other day I got stuck on a FOIL problem, and couldn’t even remember what FOIL was, let alone how to use it.
And for a second I thought:
“Maybe I need to go back and start learning EVERYTHING over”
But then I remembered just in time vs. just in case learning.
Basically, you can try to predict what you'll need, learn it all now, and hope to remember… or you can just start, and when you get stuck, learn what you need then.
So I watched a video on FOIL, did a few practice problems, and passed the section I was stuck on.
It’s often better to work like this.
We doubt ourselves and get stuck in an endless loop of doing the beginning steps over and over because they’re comfortable.
(AKA tutorial hell )
But once you’ve covered the fundamentals, it’s better to fill in the gaps than to spend a ton of time re-learning what you already know.
Mastering the fundamentals is incredibly important, but you can’t stay there forever. Push yourself to learn, grow, and get uncomfortable.
And when you get stuck, remember:
Just in time, not just in case.
What I’m Reading
I just finished Hell Yeah or No by Derek Sivers, and it’s one of the most concise, quotable, and impactful books I’ve read since The Almanack of Naval.
I finished it in a few days, and it’s a book I’ll repeatedly reread.
You need to read this book.
Quote of the Week
“Many people are so worried about looking good that they never do anything great. Many people are so worried about doing something great that they never do anything at all.”
— Derek Sivers
Don’t care so much about appearances that you never do the thing you’re waiting to do. Take action.
Something Interesting
Open AI just dropped their latest upgrade, the o1 (strawberry) model. It’s a new “reasoning” model. For a funny and entertaining review of it, check out The Code Report:
Feel-Good Finds
Statistics is hard. 😂
Thanks for reading, and have a great week!
– Josh