Some programmers do something like this when they’re stuck on a problem—they call it Rubber Ducking. Googling it I just found 4 separate stories about students having to explain their programming problems out loud to teddy bears before they get to ask a teacher.
Interesting technique, I’ll need to remember that.
Reminds me of the several times I’ve thought I’ve disagreed with Eliezer on various issues here, spent a while understanding my objections so I could detail it in a reply, and ended up convincing myself of his orignal position by the time I finished writing.
Would be better if you didn’t say whom you ended up agreeing with. Most people here have either a halo or horns on Eliezer, and discounting that is distracting.
Yes, I confirm that this works—because I myself serve as a Rubber Duck / Teddy Bear. I lead a team of programmers, and they come to me to talk about their current problems. I always welcome this, and I often initiate these rubber-ducking sessions myself.
However, I didn’t realize that I’m essentially rubber-ducking myself (heh!) during my self-interviews. Interesting.
Some programmers do something like this when they’re stuck on a problem—they call it Rubber Ducking. Googling it I just found 4 separate stories about students having to explain their programming problems out loud to teddy bears before they get to ask a teacher.
I prefer the teddy bear, because then you can refer to it as the “bug bear”.
Interesting technique, I’ll need to remember that.
Reminds me of the several times I’ve thought I’ve disagreed with Eliezer on various issues here, spent a while understanding my objections so I could detail it in a reply, and ended up convincing myself of his orignal position by the time I finished writing.
Would be better if you didn’t say whom you ended up agreeing with. Most people here have either a halo or horns on Eliezer, and discounting that is distracting.
+1 mind change
Yes, I confirm that this works—because I myself serve as a Rubber Duck / Teddy Bear. I lead a team of programmers, and they come to me to talk about their current problems. I always welcome this, and I often initiate these rubber-ducking sessions myself.
However, I didn’t realize that I’m essentially rubber-ducking myself (heh!) during my self-interviews. Interesting.