What would you do first if you were new to Science?

Lucía García · 11 likes

A useful way to think about it is mechanism first: what changes, what stays constant, and what evidence would distinguish the two. The trap is trying to optimize before you have feedback.

- Start small and make the next step obvious.
- Keep notes so you can compare what worked.
- Ask someone with recent experience, not just strong opinions.

Hope this helps!

Valeria López · 6 likes

A useful way to think about it is mechanism first: what changes, what stays constant, and what evidence would distinguish the two. If two options look equal, choose the one that is easier to reverse.

- Start small and make the next step obvious.
- Keep notes so you can compare what worked.
- Ask someone with recent experience, not just strong opinions.

Source: mostly hard-won experience and comparing notes with people who stuck with it.

Daniela Torres · 6 likes

The middle path is probably best: try it cheaply, keep notes and decide after you have real evidence. The lunch break version is even more interesting.

Tola Ibrahim · 5 likes

I would ask what outcome you want in two weeks, not in some ideal future. That makes the choice much clearer. That is where the boring checklist helps.

Mango River · 2 likes

A useful way to think about it is mechanism first: what changes, what stays constant, and what evidence would distinguish the two. The trap is trying to optimize before you have feedback.

- Start small and make the next step obvious.
- Keep notes so you can compare what worked.
- Ask someone with recent experience, not just strong opinions.

That should give you a solid first pass.

Isha Menon · 2 likes

Same here. It took me too long to learn.

Mango River · 1 likes

I laughed, but you are not wrong.

Tiago Costa · 1 likes

That made the concept click.

Ren Suzuki · 1 likes

My wallet felt that.

Elif Yılmaz · 1 likes

My practical advice is to make the next step tiny enough that you can do it today. Momentum usually answers half the question. The 10-minute rule is underrated.

Isha Menon · 1 likes

This is the kind of useful internet I still show up for. I noticed the same thing in São Paulo.

Mara Fischer · 0 likes

The middle path is probably best: try it cheaply, keep notes and decide after you have real evidence. The late summer version is even more interesting.