HaiMIC

The popularity of the internet over the past 30 years has left us with an abundance of information, but a lack of understanding, or what some call “knowing without understanding.”

To truly understand a problem, it requires careful thinking, and even thinking frequently and for a sufficient amount of time to fully absorb it.

A famous scientist once said, “If you cannot explain a problem simply, you do not understand it well enough.”

Furthermore, he made a stronger assertion: “If you cannot explain it to a six-year-old, you do not understand it yourself.”

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What is the truth here? How should we understand the boundaries between:

1. The speaker understands the issue unclearly.

2. The presentation method lacks persuasiveness.

3. The listener lacks sufficient understanding.

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Can the solution to Fermat’s Last Theorem (finding positive integer solutions to the equation x^n + y^n = z^n) be explained to everyone?

In August 1994, the World Mathematics Conference was held in Zurich, Switzerland. The British mathematician Andrew Wiles presented his solution to Fermat’s Last Theorem. The 200-page paper was reported in a few hours. When it was over, the room fell silent. The chairman asked, “Does anyone understand?” – A few hands hesitantly raised. He continued, essentially saying, “I think only a few people understand. The problem itself is easy to understand, but the solution uses too complicated tools. So, the presenter must find a simpler way, and the listener must delve deeper and more carefully into the problem, only then can it be recognized as a solution.”

Immediately after the conference, in September 1994, Wiles and his student Taylor revised and simplified their method. The mathematical community scrutinized it more closely. Half a year later, the community had gained a greater understanding of the problem and Wiles and Taylor published the complete solution ending the 358-year search.

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It is clear that effort from the presenter is essential to understanding, but it is not enough. The listener’s level of understanding must also be adequate.

Modern theory of understanding requires synchronously the use of all 5 senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch) to perceive the outside world; then the educational background, and finally the thinking brain.

The Internet helps us know things quickly and widely, mainly through sight and hearing. But to understand deeply, relying only on sight and hearing may not be enough.

Furthermore, to understand a matter, one must go to school. Sometimes it takes many years of study.

Next, we need to add some silence. Contemplation. Reflection. Comparison. Discussion.

When you don’t understand, don’t rush to think that he is talking nonsense or presenting poorly. You need to find a way to improve your own understanding.

It is necessary to take enough time to contemplate. To synthesize, to conclude correctly. With analytical thinking, you can make wise choices at important times in life.

Reading this, you may feel a bit discouraged. How will you live with such difficulties? Is there any other more practical way?

Yes. By understanding your own benefits. You can’t know everything. You can’t understand everything. Focus on what is necessary and appropriate for you.

This seems to be the difference between science and business? Science focuses on benefits for the community (while meeting individual needs), whereas business focuses more on personal benefits (while being socially appropriate).

Each direction will have its own different principles. They will be discussed in another article: Discussing Benefits.

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