The Cognitive Tech of Technical Discussions

How do you think?

It’s an odd question.

People think about thinking all of the time but they seldom talk about how ideas come to them. To the extent that I’m aware of my own process, I recognize that there’s a strong visuospatial component to my thinking. In my mind’s eye I see colors and shapes. When someone is talking, the shapes move. I think of the next question to ask. I build a picture — literally — of the problem.

I don’t know how typical this is. I do think in words too. If I hear...