A Good Lemma Is Worth a Thousand Theorems (2007) | Hacker News
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A Hacker News post argues that lemmas can be more useful than broad axioms because they make ideas easier to apply in proofs.
It uses Zorn’s Lemma and the Axiom of Choice to show how restating a principle can make it more actionable.
The post extends this lesson beyond math, suggesting that small, practical ideas can have outsized value in reasoning.
It also cites Stein’s Law and Davies’ Corollary to underline the point.
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