A basic tenet in problem solving is this: Most problems arise from other problems, and in many cases, can be traced back to their root cause, or core. Like climbing down a ladder, eventually we get to the ground.
At their heart, such problems are also fundamental. From their inception, certain problems multiply in scope, magnitude, direction, duration. Often a serious problem has many layers, levels, levers. Complicating their solution is often a labyrinth of underlying paths that may, but often do not, lead to productive insights.
The movie “Oppenheimer" was partially about just such a problem. Creating a massively powerful weapon of that scope required deep understanding and clever application of fundamental and basic laws of atomic theory. The problem, that is, how to create an atomic bomb, though easy to state, was incredibly and intricately difficult to solve, and required the supreme intellectual curiosity and capacities of many geniuses in both math and physics. The development of the atomic bomb, disregarding all of the political, social, moral, and ethical implications, was an incredible example of problem solving in action. Underlying their (Oppenheimer and many others) effort was what I refer to as the method of “Atomic Problem Solving.” In this case, both literally and figuratively speaking.
Associated with their core nature, most problems can also be classified according to their relative difficulty. “Relative” meaning that certain problems, by their nature, are harder than other problems. The hardest problems to solve are “core" problems: these problems have elements that are essentially irreducible. These are what I am defining as “Atomic Problems." Often, problems such as these are considered “basic.” That does not mean they are simple; to the contrary, they are often complex and extremely difficult to crack.
Why are these types of problems crucial to solve first? Without solving them, other problems related to them only get partially solved, or not at all. If these fundamental problems are left unsolved, whether intentionally, or because of a lack of understanding of their nature, they can sprout into other areas, like weeds. Recurring problems are often deducible to such core issues, or irreducible problems. As a memento of their importance, we can witness their lingering effects.
The solution to atomic problems is much like cracking a code: once you have the key (the solution), the lock (the problem or related problems) can be seen as nothing more than a temporary obstacle. Having the master key often can serve to solve many associated problems, even some that may seem unrelated.
Once an appreciation for their nature, depth, framework, and structure is achieved, certain atomic problems take hold in the minds of great thinkers, and the search for their solution becomes an obsession, spreading like a virus.
Warning: If you can not, do not, or will not approach atomic problems with the respect they deserve, they will treat you badly in return.
In subsequent newsletters, I will give diverse examples of such atomic problems, how these unresolved atomic problems impede progress or solutions to other problems, and demonstrate some of the specific techniques of atomic problem solving.
Advice: Solve your problems with passion, resolve, and determination.
Happy Problem Solving!
Evan