“Then we will talk this over, though rightfully it should be an equation. The first term is the speed at which a student can absorb already-discovered architectural knowledge. The second term is the speed at which a master can discover new knowledge. The third term represents the degree to which one must already be on the frontier of knowledge to make new discoveries; at zero, everyone discovers equally regardless of what they already know; at one, one must have mastered every previously-discovered fact before one can discover anything new. The fourth term represents potential for specialization; at one, it is impossible to understand any part without understanding the whole; at zero, it can be subdivided freely. The fifth…”
I don’t think Scott had a specific concrete equation in mind. (I don’t know of any myself, and Scott would likely have referenced or written it up on SSC/ACX by now if he had one in mind.) However, conceptually, it’s just a variation on the rocket equation or jeep problem, I think.
What was the equation for research progress referenced in Ars Longa, Vita Brevis?
I don’t think Scott had a specific concrete equation in mind. (I don’t know of any myself, and Scott would likely have referenced or written it up on SSC/ACX by now if he had one in mind.) However, conceptually, it’s just a variation on the rocket equation or jeep problem, I think.