In response to
Notes | Matthew McDowell-Sweet · Matthew McDowell-Sweet · “Start by asking whether the problem is theoretically solvable and feasible to do…” · item 64zns0xb8b4apgn90wqxemf87f, v1 · <https://www.msweet.net/notes/057-amber-otters> · retrieved Oct 15, 2026
The next step in ambition is to think at criticality boundaries. To think assuming that difficult complicated things are already solved but not let the impossible sneak in.
At the same time you must be willing and even eager to waste attempts. Build something huge if only to learn that it’s not quite what you wanted.
Start by asking whether the problem is theoretically solvable and feasible to do so. If it is, assume it’s already solved in an efficient and effective way that is both formally and informally verifiable. The acceleration then happens from the beginning, rather than kicking in whilst in progress or becoming apparent after the fact.
from Notes | Matthew McDowell-Sweet ↗ · snapshot of v1