Product R D Session 10 - Technological Creativity and the 3 4 Bottle Problems - Feb 2013

7/29/2019 Product R D Session 10 - Technological Creativity and the 3 4 Bottle Problems - Feb 2013

1/32

Product Research & DevelopmentSession 10

Technological Creativity and Scientific Epistemology

Department of Chemical Engineering

2nd

Semester 2012-2013

V. M. Naik


2/32

Practical Creativity : Exercise 3The Exercise Is Not About Only Solving a Problem. The Objective Is to

Think About How We Think While Solving a Problem

Every one does not learn equally from this exercise. If you decide to give

100 % of the share of your mind, you will gain more

You may approach the problem as you wish

Observe how you begin

Observe different approaches you try, and why you chose to use those

approaches

Observe how a particular approach is blocked, or comes to an end

Observe how many solutions there are, and how much time you take to

solve the problem, and what approach turns out to be successful


3/32

Practical Creativity : Exercise 3The Exercise Is Not About Only Solving a Problem. The Objective Is to

Think About How We Think While Solving a Problem

Every one does not learn equally from this exercise. If you decide to give

100 % of the share of your mind, you will gain more



Observe different approaches you try, and why you chose to use those

approaches

Observe how a particular approach is blocked, or comes to an end

Observe how many solutions there are, and how much time you take to

solve the problem, and what approach turns out to be successful

Like the empty space in a Chinese painting, even the time in which

nothing happens has its purpose

You may even decide that the problem has no solution. Observe how

long it takes for you to decide this, and think about how sure you areabout your decision


4/32

Practical Creativity : Exercise 3

Problem 1 Platform on Three-GlassesSuppose you are given (a) three emptyglasses, (b) one glass 4/5th filled with

water, and (c ) three pencils. Supposethe empty glasses are placed upsidedown, near three corners of anequilateral triangle. The length of eachside of the triangle is equal to the lengthof the pencil, as shown in the figure.

Now design a platform using 3 pencils,such that (a) the platform rests on the topof three inverted glasses, (b ) it is strongenough to support the water-filled glassplaced on top of it, and (c) the water filledglass is away from any of the supportinginverted glasses by a distance of more

than 1/3 the length of a pencil.No part of the platform, or no pencil shouldtouch the ground, or pierce through theinverted glasses

Draw a schematic diagram of the top view, to show the arrangement

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The solution to the problem should be ascertained by a physical trial


5/32


Problem 2 Platform on Three-GlassesSuppose you are given (a) three emptyglasses, (b) one glass 4/5th filled withwater, and (c ) fourtable knives.Suppose the empty glasses are placedupside down, near three corners of anequilateral triangle. The length of eachside of the triangle is equal to the lengthof the table knives, as shown in thefigure.

Now design a platform using no more than4 knives, such that (a) it rests on the top ofthree inverted glasses, (b ) it is strongenough to support the water-filled glassplaced on top of it, and (c) the water filledglass is away from any of the supporting

inverted glasses by a distance of morethan 1/3 the length of a knife.

No part of the platform, or no knife shouldtouch the ground, or pierce through theinverted glasses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



6/32


The Three-Glasses Problem

Observations

The problem has a simple solution (by hind

sight). What prevents many of us from arriving

at the solution quickly ?


7/32



Observations




Choking of thoughts, because of perceived difficulty


8/32



Observations




Choking of thoughts, because of perceived difficulty Being obsessed that all four knives have to be used


9/32



Observations





Use of logic when there is no obvious direction, for

step by step progress

C 3


10/32



Observations





Use of logic when there is no obvious direction, for

step by step progress

Use of patterns from experience, which are notrelevant

P ti l C ti it E i 3


11/32



Observations

The problem has a simple solution (by hindsight). What prevents many of us from arrivingat the solution quickly ? Choking of thoughts, because of perceived difficulty

Being obsessed that all four knives have to be used

Use of logic when there is no obvious direction, forstep by step progress

Use of patterns from experience, which are not

relevant Latching on to patterns from past experience,

which do not lead to solution



12/32



Observations

What helps in arriving at the solution ?



13/32



Observations


Insights and intense awareness about material

properties of the components of the system



14/32



Observations


Insights and intense awareness about material

properties of the system

Physically dirtying hands with new or unfamiliarcomponents and the system as a whole to learn

and understand its properties



15/32



Observations

What helps in arriving at the solution ? Insights and intense awareness about material

properties of the components of the system

Physically dirtying hands with new or unfamiliar

components and system as a whole to learn andunderstand its properties

Incessant engagement and engrossment withthe problem, Intellectually, Physically, and

Emotionally, without bothering about wastage ofideas, and learning from each failure



16/32



Observations

What helps in arriving at the solution ? Insights and intense awareness about material

properties of components of the system

Physically dirtying hands with new or unfamiliar

components and system as a whole to learn andunderstand its properties

Incessant engagement and engrossment withthe problem, Intellectually, Physically, and

Emotionally, without bothering about wastage ofideas, and learning from each failure

Deferring judgment about success while trying outcombination of multiple bits of a potential solution



17/32



Observations

What helps in arriving at the solution ? Insights and intense awareness about material properties of

components of the system

Physically dirtying hands with new or unfamiliarcomponents and system as a whole to learn and understand

its properties Incessant engagement and engrossment of mind & bodywith the problem, without bothering about wastage of ideasand learning from each failure

Deferring judgment about success, while trying outcombination of multiple bits of a potential solution

Solution to a Problem Demanding High Level ofCreativity involves Clicking Together of Multiple Bitsof IdeasforSudden Emergenceofthe RightSolution Only When the Last / Critical Bit Is Lockedin ; Although the Solution Is Logical by Hindsight


18/32


Problem 3 Platform on Four-Glasses

The problem appears similar to the previous one, exceptthat rigidity characteristics of a triangle are different from

those of a quadrangle



Observe how much time you take to solve the problemYou may even decide that the problem has no solution.

Observe how long it takes for you to decide this, and think

about how sure you are about your decision

Again, This Is NOT an Examination

The Problem Is Intended to Be an Opportunity for You to

Think about Your Thinking


19/32


Problem 3 Platform on Four-Glasses

Suppose you are given (a) fourempty

glasses, (b) one glass 4/5th filled withwater, and (c ) fourtable knives.Suppose the empty glasses are placedupside down near four corners of asquare, as shown in the figure. Thelength of each side of the square isequal to the length of the table knives.

Now design a platform using no more than4 knives, such that (a) it rests on the top offour inverted glasses, (b ) it is strong enoughto support the water-filled glass placed ontop of it, and (c) the water filled glass isaway from any of the supporting inverted

glasses by a distance of more than 1/3the length of a knife.

No part of the platform, or no knife shouldtouch the ground, or pierce through theinverted glasses




20/32

Observations and Learnings

The four-glass problem is morechallenging than the earlier one.

However, it is exceptional to miss the

solution. What factors make this

possible ? Prior insights and intense awareness about

System properties


21/32

Observations

The four-glass problem is morechallenging than the earlier one.

However, it is exceptional to miss the

solution. What factors make this

possible ? Prior insights and intense awareness about

System properties

Knowledge and confidence about one

effective methodology which can befollowed


22/32


The four-glass problem is more challengingthan the earlier one. However, it is exceptional

to miss the solution. What factors make this

possible ?

Prior insights about System properties

Knowledge and confidence about an effective

methodology which can be followed

Idea about logical direction and relevant patterns to

be followed, as per this methodology


23/32


The four-glass problem is more challengingthan the earlier one. However, it is exceptional

to miss the solution. What factors make this

possible ?

Prior insights about System properties

Knowledge and confidence about an effective

methodology which can be followed

Idea about logical direction and relevant patterns to

be followed, as per this methodology


24/32


The Previous Experience Helps. But MoreImportantly, How It Is Internalized, Decidesthe Ease with Which It Can be Reused If noted as a collection of phenomena or

demonstrations, it is less useful

If used as a learning experience to identify the

simplest and yet most effective solution to aproblem, it is more useful

If a generic predictive principle transcending thespecific problem can be abstracted, it is most useful

Those who get hooked by a successfulprevious experience, but do not generalize thesame, find it difficult to explore solution to the4 glass problem


25/32


The Previous Experience Helps. But MoreImportantly, How It Is Internalized, Decidesthe Ease with Which It Can be Reused If noted as a collection of phenomena or

demonstrations, it is less useful

If used as a learning experience to identify thesimplest and yet most effective solution to aproblem, it is more useful

If a generic predictive principle transcending thespecific problem can be abstracted, it is most useful

Can You Articulate a Generic Principle WhichCan Be Derived from the Three-GlassesExperience ?


26/32


If a generic principle is abstracted, it is moreuseful and effective for future applicationsA Working Example :

A self supporting platform which is capable of

resting on n inverted glasses A, B, C,(placed atthe corners of a convex polygon with n sides), canbe assembled using n table knives a, b, c, ., insuch a way that the handle of every knife a rests onglass A , and the tip of every knife a rests on the

blade of the next knife b, in a cyclic manner, thusproducing a smaller internal convex polygon ofinterlocked knife-tips, having n sides.


27/32

Observations and Learnings Contd.

As More and More Generic Principles, DecisionRules, and Predictive Models for the SystemBecome Available

The Magnitude and Nature of Creative Challenge

Offered by a Problem Changes, When the R&DActivity Moves:

From

Discovery & Invention

ToDesigning & Detailing

To

Trouble Shooting & Maintenance


28/32

Lessons to Remember:

Before Solving a Problem Assess Whether the Challenge Is Trouble-

Shooting/Design/Invention When Decision Rules or Validated Models for the Components and

the System Are Likely to Be Available, Make Extra Effort to Learn thePrior Art/Technology/Science. One Day in Library Can Save ManyMan-Years of Efforts and Frustrations

Create an Opportunity to Dirty Your Hands and Play with the System

to Develop Intense Awareness of the Properties of Its Components aswell as the System as a Whole, even if Prior Knowledge Is Available.

And When the Prior Knowledge Is Not Available This Is the Only WayForward.All New Laws of Nature and Novel Phenomena in NatureHave Been Discovered by Empirical Observations

Bigger the Creative Challenge More Is the Wastage of Ideas and

Trials. Deferring Judgment and Frustration-Tolerance Is the Key toSuccess

When You Do Succeed, Abstract Decision rules/Generic Principlesand Build Models of the Phenomena, for Future Use


29/32


How Generic Is Our Generic Principle, Derivedfrom the Solution of the Three-Glasses Problem ?

A self supporting platform which is capable of resting on

n inverted glasses A, B, C,(placed at the corners of aconvex polygon with n sides), can be assembled usingn table knives a, b, c, ., in such a way that thehandle of every knife a rests on glass A , and the tipof every knife a rests on the blade of the next knife b,

in a cyclic manner, thus producing a smaller internalconvex polygon of interlocked knife-tips, having nsides.


30/32


How Generic Is Our Generic Principle, Derivedfrom the Solution of the Three-Glasses Problem ?A self supporting platform which is capable of resting on

n inverted glasses A, B, C,(placed at the corners of aconvex polygon with n sides), can be assembled using

n table knives a, b, c, ., in such a way that thehandle of every knife a rests on glass A , and the tipof every knife a rests on the blade of the next knife b,in a cyclic manner, thus producing a smaller internalconvex polygon of interlocked knife-tips, having nsides.

The Principle IsPerfectly Useful to Solve the Four, orMay Be Even a Five-Glasses Problem. It Would Fail as

n > 6

Mathematics Is a Must. It Is the Language of Science


31/32


There Are Remarkable Parallels Between These CreativityExercises, and the Process by Which Science & TechnologyMake Progress Empirical observations and experimental studies are necessary for

discoveryof novel natural phenomena

Abstracting generic principles and buildingmodels

of the naturalphenomena helps us to predictnew manifestations of thephenomena, and harnessing them for practical use

Predictions and conjectures fail when the generic principles ormodels are stretched beyond their limits of validity.

This leads to newsearch for more refined generic principle or more

robust model orunknown natural phenomenon/law of natureunderpinning the failure of the earlier predictions

We Will Study This Process in Some Other Lecture, Later


32/32

Creative discoveries are likelier when three factors converge in a

person: In-depth knowledge of the field; an acute sensitivity to

anomalies, oddities, inconsistencies, paradoxes, i.e. problem

sensitivity; and effective problem solving heuristics..

Herbert Simon, Nobel Laureate

Creativity in Discovering Unknown

Phenomena and Laws of Nature..

.topic to be discussed some time later

-----------------------------------------------

Next Session Onwards:

Refreshing One Core Subject Area for Creation of

Technological Inventions or Problem Solving

Product R D Session 10 - Technological Creativity and the 3 4 Bottle Problems - Feb 2013

Documents

Transcript of Product R D Session 10 - Technological Creativity and the 3 4 Bottle Problems - Feb 2013