Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of asking "why" instead of "how" to foster deep thinking and uncover fundamental solutions to problems [3][6][85]. Group 1: Importance of Asking "Why" - Individuals who habitually ask "why" engage in deep thinking and seek their own answers, leading to personal growth and success [6][85]. - In contrast, those who only ask "how" tend to rely on others for solutions, which can hinder their ability to think critically and solve problems independently [4][5]. Group 2: Stories Illustrating the Concept - A factory faced a production defect where some soap boxes were empty. Instead of spending millions on high-tech solutions, a worker suggested using a fan to blow away the empty boxes, costing only $200 [8][15]. - A teacher, noticing students skipping class, asked why they were doing so and learned that the class was boring. He then transformed his teaching method into a game, making the class more engaging [22][26]. - In a Stanford entrepreneurship class, one group of students asked why they were limited to making money with $5. They realized they could sell their time instead, earning $650 by selling 10 minutes of class time to a company [31][38]. - Two fruit salesmen faced complaints about rotten fruit. One offered refunds, while the other investigated the root cause and implemented a promotional strategy to reduce the sales cycle, leading to his promotion [42][49]. Group 3: The Process of Deep Thinking - The article discusses the "5 Why" method, which involves asking "why" multiple times to reach the root cause of a problem. This method can lead to effective solutions rather than superficial fixes [68][70]. - An example is given where a museum's wall corrosion was traced back to the use of a corrosive cleaner due to an abundance of bird droppings, which was ultimately caused by light attracting insects. The solution was to install blackout curtains [71][80]. Group 4: Conclusion on Deep Thinking - The article concludes that asking "why" leads to a deeper understanding of issues, allowing individuals to address the root causes rather than just the symptoms. This approach is essential for effective problem-solving and personal development [53][84].