Think Like a Rocket Scientist

Outline

Think Like a Rocket Scientist (2020) shows how the thinking strategies of rocket scientists can help anyone solve problems and make bold progress. Ozan Varol explains principles such as reasoning from first principles, embracing uncertainty, running thought experiments, testing ideas, and learning from failure. With stories from space missions and everyday life, the book encourages readers to think more creatively and courageously.

• Reasoning from first principles means breaking a problem down to its basic facts instead of copying what others already do.
• Embracing uncertainty lets you move forward on hard problems rather than waiting for perfect information.
• Thought experiments let you explore an idea in your head before you spend real time or money on it.
• Testing ideas in practice shows what works and what doesn't, which is better than trusting assumptions.
• Failure is a source of learning, and rocket scientists use it to improve the next attempt.

Ozan Varol is a Turkish-American author and former rocket scientist who worked on the operations team for NASA’s Mars Exploration Rovers project. He later became a law professor and writer known for his ideas about creative thinking. His books include Think Like a Rocket Scientist and Awaken Your Genius.