Thread by @cortexfutura

What is an algorithm of thought? Why are algorithms of thought useful?

https://twitter.com/roamhacker/status/1359459341355671553

[[Algorithms of Thought]] are useful because they provide actionable guidance for how to deal with a specific problem without requiring a detailed, fixed checklist in advance. They can guide your thinking without being prescriptive.

The power of [[Algorithms of Thought]] can be even greater when you find ways to _externalise_ them, i.e. do not have to rely on memory to work through them. Memory alone can work well when the algorithm is fairly short and simple – but /

complex algorithms covering multiple steps and decision points are difficult to learn by heart.

Externalising [[Algorithms of Thought]] lowers the threshold of effort required to use them compared to when you have to go by memory: only few algorithms are so important as to warrant the effort required to learn them by heart, even if they are complicated.

By externalising them [[Algorithms of Thought]], you lower the threshold of using them and can use a wider range of algorithms with less effort.

What's the difference between an Algorithm of Thought, Mental Models and Checklists?
Mental Model: Analogy, I should think about X like it is a Y
Checklist: After A do B then do C

Algorithm of Thought: Given that X is like Y and there's also Z, what should A be? Given the output of A, that leads to B...

Which is an inelegant way to describe Reduce without using programming lingo:

https://twitter.com/Conaw/status/1134173307878629376

I think one of the challenges I/we need to overcome to popularise the term Algorithm of Thought among non-programmers is come up with a non-technical list of examples, like this does for Array.reduce():
24ways.org/2019/five-inte…