tea.mathoverflow.net - Discussion Feed (Questions About Process And Purpose)

Jon Awbrey comments on "Questions About Process And Purpose" (414)

2009-11-13T14:56:41-08:00

The first few questions that come to mind are:

What are the Aims of this enterprise? — Call that set A.
What is the Base of accessible operations? — Call that set B.
How can we determine how well the means B serve the ends A?

It's possible that most folks here think the first two questions, and maybe even the third, are complete no-brainers, but my experience with many similar projects tells me that failing to maintain persistent critical reflection on these issues is the surest way for a project to fall flat on its way and possibly even become an obstruction to its goals.

So I think those questions are worth reviewing on a recurring basis.

Anton Geraschenko comments on "Questions About Process And Purpose" (406)

2009-11-13T08:55:26-08:00

I think what Scott is saying is that it's distracting to create "generic discussion anchors". There is no need to create a place for your questions or comments to go later; this whole forum is already that place. Just post the actual questions or comments themselves when they arise, and everybody else will do the same.

Jon Awbrey comments on "Questions About Process And Purpose" (404)

2009-11-13T08:42:37-08:00

@Scott : It was just a generic discussion anchor. I have a number of specific questions in mind, when I get more time. I'm sure that others can think of some, too.

Scott Morrison comments on "Questions About Process And Purpose" (402)

2009-11-13T08:40:05-08:00

Huh? Is this a question, or a discussion, or just a random observation about yourself?

Let's try to keep traffic here on topic, pertinent to mathoverflow.net, and of interest to other participants.

Jon Awbrey comments on "Questions About Process And Purpose" (396)

2009-11-13T05:22:43-08:00

Inquiry-based knowledge development and inquiry driven systems in general are longstanding interests of mine, and the mofler way of going about it looks like a new twist on some classic themes. Still, most of the questions that I find myself asking at this early juncture are in the nature of Big Picture Meta*Questions, and I haven't found a way to ask them on the main board yet.