Ask: Thing — Build a Cognitive Model

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:

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