Juan David Campolargo

Richard Hamming

I first came across Richard Hamming when I read You and Your Research.

It changed how I think about what I choose to work on. One idea in particular stayed with me: what he called “Great Thoughts Friday.”

I favor heavily what I did. Friday afternoons for years — great thoughts only — means that I committed 10% of my time trying to understand the bigger problems in the field, i.e. what was and what was not important. I found in the early days I had believed ‘this’ and yet had spent all week marching in ‘that’ direction. It was kind of foolish. If I really believe the action is over there, why do I march in this direction? I either had to change my goal or change what I did. So I changed something I did and I marched in the direction I thought was important. It's that easy.

—Richard Hamming, You and Your Research

For years, I’ve kept a version of this habit, setting aside time each week to think deliberately about what actually matters. It has helped clarify both direction and priorities.

Hamming argued that if you want to do important work, you need to work on important problems. Most people claim they want to work on important problems, yet often rely on luck or—even worse—actively spend their time on things they don’t even believe matter.

He emphasized the need for emotional commitment, independent thinking, kindness, managing one’s ego, choosing the right environment, and understanding how to work within existing systems.

I first read You and Your Research in high school, and only years later did I realize, to my surprise, that Richard Hamming had also studied at the University of Illinois.

What I Took Away

Pick a time every week and ask:

What are the most important problems?

What am I actually doing?

Where do those two answers disagree?

Then change something.

Learn more

More Interesting People

  • Edward J. Duncan and the Newman Center
    • Monsignor Edward J. Duncan led St. John’s Catholic Newman Center and the Newman Foundation for 55 years (1943–1998). You can learn all about his impact in Patrick J. Daly Jr.'s book, A Campus Ministry: Monsignor Edward J. Duncan and the Newman Foundation at the University of Illinois in the Twentieth Century.
  • Lorado Taft
    • You probably have no idea who Lorado Taft is—unless you’re especially observant. If you’ve ever looked closely at the Alma Mater statue, you’ve already seen his name. Taft was the brilliant sculptor behind several iconic pieces around campus, including Alma Mater, “Lincoln the Lawyer” (1929, Urbana), and the unfinished “Fountain of Creation” (1933) outside the main library. He was also an accomplished writer, definitely someone worth exploring more deeply.
  • Roger Ebert
    • You know Roger Ebert as the famous film critic, but he started his journey writing for The Daily Illini. He even contributed significantly to the UIUC centennial book. If you’re reading this and want a cool project: continue his historical narrative where he left off. It would be amazing.
    • Interesting interview: Lincoln Academy 2001 Interview Roger Ebert
  • Stuart Umpleby
    • A remarkable human being whose PLATO story taught me how new communication tools can scare old institutions. More details in the University Suppression chapter.
  • Mark Van Doren
    • Liberal Education is a reflective work on learning and teaching that remains relevant. Read it online here.
  • Stephen Wolfram
    • A scientist whose ideas constantly challenge conventional wisdom. I had the chance to meet and interview Wolfram personally. It was an incredible experience, you can read about it here.
  • And Many More
Front cover for The Jailbroken Guide to the University
Use the appendixThe back of the book is part of the book.

The appendix keeps the examples, guides, profiles, and source trails close. The book gives them sequence, context, and a way to turn curiosity into action.