1. EachPod

What I Cannot Create, I Do Not Understand

Author
Pragmatic AI Labs
Published
Sat 22 Feb 2025
Episode Link
podcast.paiml.com

Feynman's Wisdom Applied to AI Learning

Background

  • Feynman helped create atomic bomb and investigated Challenger disaster
  • Challenger investigation revealed bureaucracy prioritized power over engineering solutions
  • Two key phrases found on his blackboard at death:
    • "What I cannot create, I do not understand"
    • "Know how to solve every problem that has been solved"

Applied to Pragmatic AI Labs Courses

What I Cannot Create

  • Build token processor before using Bedrock
  • Implement basic embeddings before production models
  • Write minimal GPU kernels before CUDA libraries
  • Create raw model inference before frameworks
  • Deploy manual servers before cloud services

Learning Solved Problems

  • Study successful AI architectures
  • Reimplement ML papers
  • Analyze deployment patterns
  • Master optimization techniques
  • Learn security boundaries

Implementation Strategy

  • Build core concepts from scratch
  • Move to frameworks only after raw implementation
  • Break systems intentionally to understand them
  • Build instead of memorize
  • Ex: Build S3 bucket/Lambda vs. memorizing for certification

Platform Support

  • Interactive labs available
  • Source code starter kits
  • Multiple languages: Python, Rust, SQL, Bash, Zig
  • Focus on first principles
  • Community-driven learning approach

Key Takeaway

Focus on understanding through creation, leveraging proven solutions as foundation for innovation.


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