有些东西，我是不会明白的。

Shortcut (noun): A shorter or quicker way. A method, procedure, policy, etc., that reduces the time or energy needed to accomplish something

A conversation which occurred last week has left me quite stunned…

A: Why do you say you want XXX reports from YYY company?
B: The reports contain similar questions which we can use for the survey.
A: Similar? Have they done the same thing before?
B: No, (and he went on to explain the differences)
A: So it is different. Then why do you need the reports?
B: Because the reports have similar questions which we can use for our survey
A: But you say it is different, isn’t it?
B: Yes, it’s different in some sense, but there are some similarities. We are trying to use it as a reference
A: You should not take shortcuts. You should get a few knocks on the way.
B: But I don’t see it as taking shortcuts. We are using the reports to know more about what questions the companies in the industry ask and how they phrase their questions.
A: But I see it as taking shortcuts and you shouldn’t do that.

It seems to me that in A’s opinion, anything that will reduce the time taken for the process is a shortcut, which should not be encouraged. No wonder for the inefficiency and the impracticality.

Now, I feel really fortunate to be schooled in SMU.