Even in think-y land, so much depends on instinct, "taste" for problems/approaches, an aesthetic of ideas. Frank Oppenheimer points out that play is so important because it's one of the only ways adults hone their sense of taste. (from Something Incredibly Wonderful Happens)
Conversation
It's interesting to contrast this to the approach for developing style which Hamming recommends in The Art of Doing Science and Engineering—analytical, reflective, retrospective. But maybe this is a kind of "play," too.
Replying to
I've noticed that the people I surround myself with have a huge influence on this sense of taste. Collaborating with someone with a really different aesthetic often feels like a permanent upgrade! One of many reasons I'm so grateful to , , , etc
1
50
Replying to
Hamming's approach is definitely play. The chapter on n-dimensional space stands out--he develops a sense of what higher order spaces look like by playing with distances and shapes
2
1
You’re right! It’s funny, though, he’s often very right-brain-ish when he talks about style. e.g. in another chapter developing style by carefully analyzing the minute practices of scientists who have made discoveries you find important; etc…
1