"چیزی که نمی‌توانم خلق کنم نمی‌فهمم"

The essence of this quote is that true understanding comes from the ability to create or reproduce something. If you can build it, then you really get it. This idea was famously linked to Richard Feynman, a brilliant physicist who had a knack for breaking down complex ideas. He believed that if you can't create or explain something in your own words, you probably don't grasp it deeply.

In the context of the time when Feynman was active, the mid-20th century was a period of incredible scientific discovery. Feynman’s work on quantum electrodynamics earned him a Nobel Prize. But beyond his technical achievements, he was celebrated for his teaching and his insistence on clarity. If you understand something well enough, you should be able to teach it, build it, or at least explain it simply. This wasn’t just a method for science but a mindset for life.

Let’s dive into a real-life example: Imagine you're learning to play the guitar. Watching YouTube tutorials, you can follow along and make some music. But do you really understand the instrument? Probably not yet. Now, think about the point where you can hear a song and figure out how to play it by ear. Or better yet, when you can write your own song. That's when you genuinely understand the guitar—its scales, its chords, its soul. You've moved from mimicry to mastery.

To apply this wisdom practically, start by challenging yourself to explain what you’re learning. Teaching someone else, even if it’s just a friend or a family member, can reveal gaps in your knowledge. If you’re into coding, try building a project from scratch without copy-pasting code. If you’re studying history, write an essay about a time period without referencing the book. These exercises force you to internalize and synthesize information.

Picture this: You’re at a coffee shop, chatting with a friend about a complex topic—let’s say, climate change. You can throw around stats and facts, but can you really explain the greenhouse effect? If your friend asks you to draw it on a napkin, can you do it? This is where Feynman’s philosophy kicks in. To really grasp the concept, you need to break it down, piece by piece, and maybe even find a way to recreate it in a simple experiment—like a mini greenhouse at home.

I remember when I first tried to explain how a car engine works to my little cousin. I thought I knew it pretty well. But when faced with his barrage of "why" questions, I quickly realized I didn’t know as much as I thought. So, I went back, studied some more, and then took him to see an actual engine. We took it apart together, and that hands-on experience solidified our understanding far better than any book ever could.

So, next time you’re learning something new, ask yourself: Can I create this? Can I teach it? If not, dive deeper. Because as Feynman wisely pointed out, if you can’t create it, you don’t truly understand it. And that’s a thought worth pondering over your next cup of coffee.