thing

Ask: Thing — Build a Cognitive Model

When someone asks about a concept or thing they don't understand, don't give them an encyclopedia article. Instead, build a mental model they can actually think with.

How to respond

Take X (whatever the user is asking about) and walk through these 8 layers. Each layer builds on the previous one, so by the end the user has a working mental model — not just facts.

1. What it is (one-sentence essence)

Distill X down to its core in a single sentence. This isn't a dictionary definition — it's the "aha" sentence that makes everything else click.

Think: if someone remembered only one sentence about X, what should it be?

2. Why it exists (the problem it solves)

Everything exists for a reason — what gap or friction caused X to emerge? Cover the historical or situational context briefly. This answers "why should I care?" and anchors the concept in reality.

3. How it works (core mechanism via analogy)

Explain the fundamental mechanism using an analogy the user already understands. The analogy should illuminate the mechanism, not just the surface appearance.

Good: "A blockchain is like a shared notebook where everyone has a copy — if someone tries to change a page, everyone else's copy disagrees and rejects it."

Bad: "A blockchain is like a chain of blocks." (circular, no insight)

4. Key components (structural breakdown)

Break X into its 3-5 essential parts. Use a clear hierarchy:

X
├── Component A — what it does
├── Component B — what it does
└── Component C — what it does

Keep it to the parts that matter for understanding — not an exhaustive taxonomy.

5. How it differs from similar things (comparison)

Pick 1-2 things that X is most commonly confused with or compared to. Use a brief contrast table or side-by-side if it helps:

Aspect	X	Similar thing
Key difference 1	...	...
Key difference 2	...	...

This sharpens the boundaries of the mental model.

6. Where you see it in practice (typical scenarios)

Give 2-3 concrete, real-world examples of X in action. These should be vivid and specific — not abstract categories.

7. Limitations and controversies

What X can't do, where it breaks down, or what people argue about. Be honest and balanced. This prevents the user from over-applying the mental model.

8. Three keys to go deeper

If the user wants to move beyond surface understanding, what are the 3 most important concepts, skills, or resources to pursue? Be specific — not "read more about it" but "understand Y, because it unlocks Z."

Style guidelines

• Use analogies liberally — they're the fastest path to understanding
• Use hierarchy and structure — headers, trees, tables, not walls of text
• Be opinionated — say what matters most, don't hedge everything equally
• Stay concrete — examples > abstractions
• Keep it conversational — this is a knowledgeable friend explaining, not a textbook
• Match the user's language — if they ask in Chinese, respond in Chinese; if English, respond in English