becoming smart is easy, actually

Summary

The video script offers an unconventional perspective on gaining true intelligence. It debunks common myths and clichés surrounding the path to becoming 'smart,' advocating for a practical approach centered on reading, learning skills through practice, and finding creative ways to make knowledge stick. The narrator suggests seeking out niche books, even through unconventional means, and emphasizes the importance of applying learned concepts through mental simulation or hands-on practice. Overall, the script challenges traditional notions of education and encourages a proactive, self-directed approach to acquiring valuable knowledge and skills.

Takeaways

• 😄 Formal education does not guarantee intelligence or success. True learning happens through active practice and application of knowledge.
• 📚 Reading non-fiction books is a powerful way to acquire knowledge and interesting conversation topics across various subjects.
• 🧠 To effectively learn and retain information, you must actively practice and apply the concepts, not just memorize them passively.
• ✍️ Creating practice scenarios and simulating real-life situations where the knowledge would be useful is crucial for solidifying learning.
• 👨‍🏫 Textbooks, with their concentrated information and practice questions, offer a highly effective format for accelerated learning.
• 🔍 Researching topics of interest and finding relevant books, even through unconventional means, can open doors to self-directed learning.
• 🗣️ When sharing knowledge, it's important to do so humbly and in a way that educates rather than alienates others.
• 🎯 Focus on mastering the essential 20% of a skill or subject, which will often account for 80% of its applications.
• 🌱 Learning is an ongoing process that requires consistent effort and practice to maintain and expand one's knowledge and skills.
• 💡 Creative visualization and imagining yourself in situations where the knowledge would be applied can aid in retaining and internalizing information.

Q & A

What is the main point the author is trying to make about becoming smart?

The author argues that becoming smart is actually quite easy, contrary to the common belief that it requires years of formal education. The key is to actively learn and practice useful skills and knowledge rather than just passively consuming information.

Why does the author recommend reading non-fiction books?

The author suggests reading non-fiction books as a way to acquire interesting knowledge that can be casually dropped into conversations, making you appear knowledgeable and smart. However, they also advise against being obnoxious about it and instead recommend a humble approach.

How does the author suggest finding books to read on specific topics?

The author recommends using Google to search for books on the topic you want to learn about, and then potentially accessing those books through less conventional means, implying the use of pirated ebook websites.

What is the importance of practicing what you learn?

The author emphasizes that merely reading or consuming information is not enough to truly learn and remember it. To make the knowledge stick, you need to actively practice and apply what you've learned, either physically or through mental visualization exercises.

How does the author relate the concept of practice to the education system?

The author likens the practice of applying learned information to the purpose of tests and exams in school. These assessments create artificial scenarios where students must demonstrate their knowledge, convincing their brains that the information is useful and worth remembering.

What does the author recommend for situations where physical practice is not possible?

In cases where physical practice is not an option, such as learning how to jump-start a car without having two cars available, the author suggests using mental visualization. By imagining yourself in the situation and mentally walking through the process, you can convince your brain that the information is useful and aid in retaining it.

Why does the author consider textbooks to be the best format for becoming smart?

The author views textbooks as the superior format for learning efficiently because they provide concise information without fluff or distractions, along with practice questions and solutions to reinforce the learning process. This format simulates real-world situations where the knowledge would be useful.

What is the author's stance on repetition and other study techniques?

The author seems to downplay the effectiveness of repetition, spaced repetition, mind mapping, and other commonly recommended study techniques. Instead, they emphasize the importance of practicing with questions that simulate real-world scenarios where the knowledge would be applied.

How does the author suggest dealing with practice questions that cannot be solved?

For practice questions that cannot be solved, the author recommends referring back to the textbook or other resource materials to find the solution, even if it means flipping through many pages. This reinforces the learning process and helps retain the information.

What is the author's final remark about accessing textbooks?

At the end of the script, the author humorously mentions a website where one might accidentally end up downloading free textbooks, implying the use of pirated materials. However, they also jokingly suggest subscribing to their channel as a way to fund future videos.