Tried & Failed

There was a two-month period in my maths PhD where I tried and tried to make something work. Here’s my layperson’s description of the problem:

• Imagine you’re looking at two knotted balls of wool;
• Your task is to compare them and try to figure out if they’re knotted the same way or differently.
• Now imagine that while you’re comparing them they start to grow.
• And they also have lengthening algebraic expressions pinned to them.
• And every time you stop to take stock you realise your notes have increased dramatically…

I tried a lot of different things. I found some results in the process but I didn’t reach an answer.

I tried and I failed.

I thought for a split-second-that-felt-like-forever at my viva that this was going to be a problem.

In Chapter 7 you detail your failure at a problem. That’s interesting.

I can still remember the way my internal examiner said it seventeen years later!

It was an odd way to express a point. It knocked me for a few seconds but really he just wanted to explore the situation:

• What had I tried and why had it not worked?
• What did I try next and how far did I get?
• Why did I stop and what did it all really mean?

These were all good questions. I had a lot to say because there was a lot to talk about.

If any of this seems resonant – although hopefully not the knotted balls of wool! – then prepare for your viva with your problems in mind. If you tried and failed at something then be sure you know why. Be sure you can explain why.

And be sure you realise that while it might have been a problem while you were doing your research it doesn’t have to be a problem at your viva.