The Power of Open Questions
Even though Richard Feynman was one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists of our time, he always insisted that he had no special qualities. He attributed his “genius” to his curiosity.
He lived with 12 questions that were always on his mind. Feynman famously said:
“You have to keep a dozen of your favorite problems constantly present in your mind, although by and large they will lay in a dormant state. Every time you hear a new trick or a new result, test it against each of your twelve problems to see whether it helps.”
Here are 12 of Feynman’s favorite problems/questions.
How can we measure the probability that a lump of uranium might explode too soon?
How can I accurately keep track of time in my head?
How can we design a large-scale computing system using only basic equipment?
How can I write a sentence in perfect handwritten Chinese script?
What is the unifying principle underlying light, radio, magnetism, and electricity?
How can I sustain a two-handed polyrhythm on the drums?
What are the most effective ways of teaching introductory physics concepts?
What is the smallest working machine that can be constructed?
How can I compute the emission of light from an excited atom?
What was the root cause of the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster?
How could the discoveries of nuclear physics be used to promote peace instead of war?
How can I keep doing important research with all the fame brought by the Nobel Prize?
You can see from Feynman’s list of problems, that these are not the daily questions that we face that have easy answers. These are the questions of his life. The questions of your life will surely be different - maybe easier.
One of the questions of my life right now is, “How can I harvest and organize ideas and information that I can synthesize into easily digestible articles to help others live more purposefully in the second half of life?”
That question led me to Tiago Forte’s excellent newsletter article, 12 Favorite Problems: How to Spark Genius With the Power of Open Questions. In this article, Tiago lists six ways that living with these questions can help us:
Dedicate your time and attention to ideas that truly spark your curiosity.
See how a piece of information might be useful and why it’s worth keeping.
See insightful patterns across multiple subjects that seem unrelated, but might share a common thread.
Focus the impact of your work on problems where you can make a real difference.
Prime your subconscious to notice helpful solutions to your biggest challenges in the world around you.
Attract like-minded people who have the same interests and goals as you.
These questions activate the Law of Attraction that states, “We get what we think about whether we want it or not.” Maybe we should focus more of our thoughts on what we do want instead of what we don’t want.
As I read about Feynman’s technique, I’m aware that I don’t always translate my “problems” into questions. I can easily fall into “Ain’t it awful” thinking. My mind is like a snow globe with all of those shiny things whirling around, most of them negative. Living with an open question that has no immediate answer helps me to focus my attention and ignore the many distractions that are luring me into mindless activity.
Imagine what would be possible if we began to see the endless problems we encounter in our work and our lives as opportunities in disguise. Opportunities to learn, to grow, to change our minds, or to see things from a new perspective.
—Tiago Forte
What are your 12 questions? I’m going to write mine and store them in a place where I can review them until I have them all memorized.