Remix.run Logo
lilerjee 10 days ago

Cognitive Load is not what matters, Solving problems is what matters.

"Cognitive Load" is a buzzword which is abstract.

Cognitive Load is just one factor of projects, and not the main one.

Focus on solving problems, not Cognitive Load, or other abstract concepts.

Use the simple, direct, and effective method to solve problems.

Cognitive Load is relative, it is a high Cognitive Load for one person, but low cognitive load for another person for the same thing.

adolph 10 days ago | parent | next [-]

"Cognitive Load" may be a buzzword, and not well defined, and that doesn't mean it isn't a useful concept for evaluating different approaches toward solving problems that may extend the useful life of that solution instead of reinventing yet another wheel.

Getting to a better understanding of "cognitive load" does seem useful. Some things are "easier" to understand than others. Could things that are less efficient to understand be formulated in a way that is more efficient?

I have a notion that "cognitive load" is related to the human's ability to gain and maintain attention to mentally ingesting a solution (along with the problem the solution putatively solves). Interesting reads for this include McGilchrist's Master and His Emissary, and Carolyn Dicey Jennings' "I attend, therefore I am," [0], who was interviewed on the Rutt podcast [1].

0. https://aeon.co/essays/what-is-the-self-if-not-that-which-pa...

1. https://jimruttshow.blubrry.net/the-jim-rutt-show-transcript...

tartoran 4 days ago | parent | prev [-]

> Cognitive Load is not what matters, Solving problems is what matters.

> Use the simple, direct, and effective method to solve problems.

You seem to contradict yourself, while you mention cognitive load is not what matters you prescribe a way to lower cognitive load. I've seen projects explode in complexity and then die and that was mainly to unmanageable cognitive load required to make changes.

lilerjee 3 days ago | parent [-]

Solving problems is the purpose and focus.

How to solve problems?

The simple, direct, and effective method is good one method sometimes, not all time. For example, use very complicated method to obfuscate code in order to increase the difficulty of cracking, and there are many environments to use complicated code or methods.

So one is the purpose, one is the method.

Do not think "Lower Cognitive Load" is the purpose.

"Lower Cognitive load" is just the by-product sometimes, not the purpose.