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I call it the House method :)

You bring a detailed problem and break it down, and talk about it to someone else (who often isn't qualified to answer your questions due to knowledge/time constraints) - and in doing so - resolve the problem by challenging one's own assumptions.

This was effectively how every House episode was resolved.



When I'm stuck on a problem for way too long, I start typing it out in Stack Overflow. Usually by the time I'm done describing it, I've already solved it.


I've lost count the amount of times I've done that. Also, I'm probably the top of the pops in answer replies to my own questions.


I also feel guilty when I do this, but at least the answer helps others who might have the same question.


I think stackoverflow encourages[1] this, so no need to feel guilty.

1. http://blog.stackoverflow.com/2011/07/its-ok-to-ask-and-answ...


Haha, we called it the House method too, we ended up making a cardboard humanoid for when nobody was available.




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