The value of getting started lies not in "what you have learned" but in "what you have conquered"

This weekend, I spent two days testing Claude Code and ChatGPT Codex. I was once again astounded by the capabilities of AI, and it reignited a long-held thought in me: I should go all in on AI.

This determination has been brewing for a long time, ever since I first encountered GPT4. But I kept procrastinating and never really got into it. I'm even stuck on the question:Where should I even begin?

A question that is asked repeatedly

In the past n years of experience in the "cryptocurrency circle", I have answered similar questions at least a hundred times: "I want to enter this industry, but I don't know where to start. What should I do?"

For this question, I once had a set of "standard answers":

Go read the Bitcoin white paper. "Be the first person in your circle of friends to fully understand the Bitcoin white paper." I feel that the vast majority of people in the cryptocurrency world, including many veteran participants, have never fully and thoroughly read this groundbreaking document. From a utilitarian perspective, not reading the white paper is perfectly acceptable. In the cryptocurrency world, there's no direct causal relationship between making money and understanding the Bitcoin white paper. Those who have amassed fortunes in this industry often have little or no understanding of underlying technical principles like Proof of Work (PoW). Therefore, there's another, diametrically opposed, and even more straightforward, answer to the question of "how to get started": "Don't overthink it. Just open an account, deposit funds, buy some coins, and get started!" ”

The true value of “understanding the white paper”

However, although I agree that it cannot be directly converted into cash, deep in my heart I always believe that “understanding the Bitcoin white paper” has an indescribable great value.

Initially, I didn’t know what this value was. Until today, when I hesitated at the door of the AI ​​field, just like the “mechanical design engineer” who had just entered the currency circle and was ignorant of everything, it suddenly dawned on me - I happened to find that method, but now I almost forgot it.

It seems that in this world, potential partners will look at you differently if they know that you have independently tackled a recognized "tough nut". Being the first person in your circle of friends to truly understand the white paper is not just vanity, but also a real endorsement of trust.

Complete the most thorough "self-declaration". Choosing to start with the most difficult thing is itself a ritual and the greatest determination you have made for yourself.

I don't know how many times I have resolved to do this or that in my life, but almost 99% of the vows have left no trace.

The truly effective way is to fight first. After you have done it, if you want to retreat, ask yourself "I have even won this tough battle, should I give up halfway? ” The process of fighting a hard battle is itself a process of making up one’s mind.

Back to the present:What is the “hard battle” in the field of AI?

After figuring this out, I suddenly became enlightened. The dilemma I face at the door of AI today is exactly the same as the confusion I felt at the door of the cryptocurrency circle back then. I have forgotten the best way to get started that I happened to practice.

This method is actually very simple, that is:

So, what exactly is considered a qualified "tough battle"?

It is not simply a "difficult task", but a challenge mode that can be clearly defined and can ensure that you achieve maximum growth. I think the following five criteria can be abstracted. We can use this to design the first tough battle in the field you want to enter.

First, relatively high difficulty. This challenge must be able to put real pressure on your current level of ability, requiring you to step out of your comfort zone and truly overcome the qualitative change threshold from "not knowing" to "knowing". It is not a simple repetition of known skills, but a substantial leap in cognition and ability.

Don't make it too difficult, or you will be scared off.

Second, clear and recognized naming. The naming of this tough battle must be publicity-enhancing.