Tools then tasks: how NOT to learn

There is a term, physics envy, which can be defined as follows "the envy (perceived or real) of scholars in other disciplines for the mathematical precision of fundamental concepts obtained by physicists" [1]. I think physics envy is a real thing and that many researchers in "soft science" are often jealous of the results of the natural sciences. I include myself among these ranks.

For starters, the applications of findings in the "hard sciences" has allowed for the development of things like materials that allow humans to build 100-story buildings, information technology that allows people around the globe to communicate, and engines that make trains go choo-choo real fast. Neato! 

Additionally, the rigor required to do science and engineering in the "hard sciences" often naturally translates to success in real-world endeavors. That is: making working products, successful companies, and the like. Can the same be said of training in the social sciences? [2]

R I scientific enuf?

In an effort to be more "scientific" (and hence "employable"), I sought to learn the arcane arts of data science through practicing doing statistics in the R programming language and statistical computing environment.

The main challenges I faced weren't in understanding how R works or in producing pretty graphs, they were instead motivational issues.

I had a really cool tool, but struggled to find applications for it. What good is a shiny new hammer, if you need a screw driver?

Fidgeting, I spend many nights mumbling and grumbling to myself as I feel asleep trying to figure out how some cool tools that smart people use could be applied to the questions I was interested in. 

Tasks before tools

 Eventually I found peace in this insight: tools should be selected for tasks, not tasks for tools.

I was training myself in tools like R, searching for applications.

A better approach, I think, is to clearly delineate some problem, and then seek appropriate tools. Of course, there are times when tools inspire us or reveal to us new problems. For the neophyte to journeyman, however, it is probably more often than not better to focus on getting things done and learning tried and true methods before trying to be overly-clever. This is what I have learned from many hours of frustration and wallowing.

For the past half a year or so, I have been happily building my skills in the Python programming language, shell scripting, and JavaScript. Unlike my experience with R, I identify useful applications for Python, shell scripts, and JavaScript on a daily basis with ease. On the other hand, the last time I used R was to calculate some things for paying taxes. Oh joy.

My take home lesson to you all is this: identify problem first and then find appropriate tools.

Eggheads (myself included, at times) will seek first to learn tools and then try to look for problems.

I'll learn guitar, and then find songs to play!

No, you dummy (note to self). That's not how people learn things. People want to do things, and then they find solutions. Find a song you like. Then learn to play guitar.

Learning Spanish would be so cool...

Do you really believe that? Go find some cool people that speak a lot of Spanish who you desperately want to join. Spanish learning will follow.

Winning requires doing

The fruits of victory come to those that do.

(Formal) education provides a convenient place to retreat to for those that fear doing. One can train endlessly and never enter the battlefield.

Ultimately, a life spent training and never doing is a life lost. Sure, you may encounter some personal victories. But even those victories are hollow because the self knows: I never truly tested my chops.

The way to true learning is doing.

Notes & References

[1] Wikipedia

[2] I will not belabor these points and rub salt on open wounds. We all know why Asian parents would rather see their children study electrical engineering than anthropology. Sooner or later, these same parents will catch on to the fact that while "economics" smells like money, it isn't nearly the same as some practical trade like accounting.