This quote is suggesting that working within a particular framework or model of understanding (a paradigm) can be an effective method to bring about change in that very paradigm. In essence, it’s saying that to truly understand and therefore potentially change a system, you have to fully immerse yourself in it. You have to understand its rules, its limitations, its strengths, and its weaknesses. Only then can you see what needs to be changed and how to go about doing it.

In the context of research, it means that researchers who work within a certain paradigm, such as a specific scientific theory or model, are most likely to be the ones who can challenge and ultimately transform that paradigm. They are the ones who can identify its shortcomings, propose alternatives, and test them. This is because they have a deep understanding of the theory, its applications, and its limitations.

Applying this to today’s world, we can see it in action in many areas. For example, in technology, people who work within a certain technological paradigm, like software development, are often the ones who come up with groundbreaking changes. They understand the current technology, its limitations, and its potential, so they are in the best position to innovate.

In terms of personal development, this idea suggests that if you want to change aspects of your own life or behavior, you first need to understand them thoroughly. It’s not enough to just want to change. You need to understand why you behave the way you do, what triggers certain behaviors, and what the consequences of these behaviors are. Only then can you identify ways to change and improve. So, if you’re trying to break a bad habit, for example, you need to understand why you have that habit, what triggers it, and what rewards you get from it. Once you understand these, you can start to change the habit by replacing it with a new, healthier one.