I don’t believe in having heroes.
People often talk about finding great role models from history, or living legends (often from the world of sport or business) to follow. The problem here is that people are flawed, and often prone to disappointing you by way of their behavior. It’s not about the people; it’s about the ideas—ideas are worthy of deep study and perhaps even admiration.
That said, Richard Feynman seems to have expressed hundreds of ideas that resonate with me, from understanding how the universe works to remaining curious about every mundane thing in the world.
Here he is talking about names, something I instantly want to add some nuance to:
Here, Feynman discusses the idea that knowing a name isn’t the same as understanding the thing. I completely agree with this concept: just because I can conjure up a complex phrase, that does not mean I understand the underlying concept in any fashion.
Exhibit A:
This is undeniably true, and you can see it everywhere.
However, here’s the nuance: knowing what something is called can actually be extremely helpful.
I’ve participated in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and watched it evolve over the last 27 years. Over the decades, I’ve learned and created techniques I didn’t know before. A large part of a new technique will go something like this:
I learned two different positions 10 or 20 years ago
Someone shows me a position that’s sort of in-between those two positions, or some modification of one of them (“new” in some way); alternatively, I figure out a new position myself along these lines
I start using that technique successfully for a decade or two
Someone names this intermediate or new position
Inevitably, I rail against this. After all, I came up with this as a position! Or, I’ve been using the techniques just fine without them being named.
Even worse: I have a name for a technique, but then someone else comes along and effectively re-names it. Sure, I could keep using the name I came up with, but now everyone knows it by that other name.
Even further, if a position has no name, it’s really hard to describe to other people. It’s useful to have a name in cases like these.
And, wouldn’t you know it: Feynman adds the nuance himself here, in another video:
Here, he discusses the thing I’ve noticed: that knowing the name is extremely useful! It’s still really different to know what something is called—that’s not the same as knowing anything about it—but it is a tool by which you can learn more about the thing.
As usual, Richard Feynman’s nuanced views shine through and provide some insight into understanding how the world works.
Through my own personal lens, I’ve seen how names can be both limiting and liberating. Assuming that you know a position in BJJ because you know the name is absurd, but it’s also silly to limit yourself by being stubborn, by not embracing new terminology when it’s useful.
Let's take a page from Feynman's book—not to idolize him, but to appreciate the complex interplay of names and ideas. It's not about merely knowing what to call something; it's about understanding its nuances, its implications, and its place in the larger tapestry of knowledge.
So two great threads to pull in this essay. The first from this nugget:
"Someone shows me a position that’s sort of in-between those two positions, or some modification of one of them (“new” in some way); alternatively, I figure out a new position myself along these lines"
In the innovation realm in the tech world I call this 'fusions and confluences' where you find incredible ideas in adjacent areas.
The second thread is the furstration of finding something and then having someone claim it. In change management I have a mantra: "When I hear my words coming out of their mouth, I know I nailed it." It's hard to put aside the ego of 'my idea' but those who know... know.
But that last part is thin gruel to having an awesome thing recognized as yours truly.
This is a bit tangential, but I'm reminded of how some cultures perceive colors differently based on the kinds of terms/names they have for them.
Or the oft-repeated fact that there are dozens of Inuit words to describe "snow"
Sometimes the very act of naming something actively changes our relationship and interaction with that thing or concept.