The “talking to the duck” method, popular among programmers, has proven to be an effective tool for solving complex problems and improving the understanding of one’s own thoughts.
When programmers encounter a bug in their code and can’t figure out the source of the problem, they use an unusual technique: they take a rubber duck and begin to “explain” every line of the program to it. This method, called “rubber duck debugging,” is now actively used not only in IT but also in other fields.
The secret is simple: when a person articulates a problem out loud, they are forced to clearly formulate their steps. In the process of explaining, inconsistencies that were previously overlooked become noticeable. Psychologists note that such verbalization helps one to more deeply grasp the essence of the task and activate new ways of solving it.
The method works not only with a duck—the “listener” can be any object, a colleague, or even an imaginary interlocutor. The main thing is to create a situation where the person explains the material as if to another, thereby organizing their own thinking.
Experts believe that the “rubber duck debugging” technique is an accessible and effective way to increase concentration, develop the skill of self-reflection, and learn to find errors in one’s work faster.
