how (& why) to start a commonplace book

Summary

In this video, the creator explores the practice of commonplacing, a method of collecting and organizing quotes, ideas, and information in a personal book. Inspired by early modern thinkers like John Locke, commonplacing encourages active reading and critical thinking, helping individuals synthesize ideas, track important concepts, and enhance memory. The video covers various methods for commonplacing, offering practical tips for setting up and maintaining a commonplace book. It also highlights the intellectual benefits of this practice, such as improving eloquence, creativity, and deeper understanding.

Takeaways

• 😀 Commonplace books are gaining renewed popularity, especially in the last few years, and were a key practice during the Renaissance period.
• 😀 A commonplace book is a personal collection of ideas, facts, quotes, and other information, serving as a handheld, portable encyclopedia of things that interest the user.
• 😀 John Locke's method of commonplacing involves creating headings as you come across relevant information, rather than organizing them alphabetically from the start.
• 😀 Commonplacing is an active reading practice that involves compiling and organizing information, making you more engaged and critical in your reading process.
• 😀 Even in modern times, people engage in commonplacing unknowingly through actions like taking screenshots of quotes, images, and saving them in digital folders.
• 😀 The index is a crucial feature of a commonplace book, helping you organize your thoughts and retrieve information easily. The traditional method is alphabetical, though some prefer simpler indexing systems.
• 😀 Commonplace books help in synthesizing information, creating new connections, and enhancing critical thinking by providing a space for the reader to compile diverse sources of knowledge.
• 😀 Commonplacing encourages creativity by helping you draw connections between seemingly unrelated ideas or pieces of information, leading to innovative thinking.
• 😀 The practice of commonplacing makes you a more active reader by prompting you to seek out ideas that can be added to your collection, deepening your understanding and ownership of the material.
• 😀 The ultimate benefits of commonplacing are storing information for easy access, improving memory retention, and boosting eloquence and expression in written or spoken discourse.

Q & A

What is a commonplace book?

A commonplace book is a personal collection of quotes, ideas, thoughts, and information compiled under various headings. It serves as a portable encyclopedia where one can store and organize information for later reference.

How has the popularity of commonplace books changed over time?

Commonplace books were especially popular during the Renaissance period, but in recent years, they've experienced a revival due to increased interest in active reading and personal knowledge management, especially online.

What is the main benefit of commonplacing?

The primary benefit of commonplacing is that it makes you an active reader. Instead of passively consuming information, you engage with texts by selecting and organizing meaningful excerpts, fostering deeper understanding and critical thinking.

How did John Locke influence the practice of commonplacing?

John Locke's method of commonplacing, detailed in his 1685 book, encourages users to create headings as they encounter new topics, rather than organizing them alphabetically. This method allows for a more flexible, intuitive collection of ideas based on personal reading experiences.

What is the difference between the general and thematic commonplace books?

A general commonplace book is a broad collection of ideas and quotes from various topics, while a thematic commonplace book is focused on a specific subject or theme, such as a particular area of study or a personal project.

How does commonplacing help with organizing information?

Commonplacing helps by storing ideas and quotes in one place, preventing them from getting lost. It acts as a system for organizing disparate pieces of information, making it easy to find and reflect on them later.

Why is the practice of commonplacing seen as empowering?

Commonplacing is empowering because it gives you control over what you read. It allows you to select, organize, and synthesize information, making it easier to recall, connect ideas, and apply them to your own thoughts and conversations.

What does the transcript suggest about memorization in the context of commonplacing?

The transcript emphasizes that memorization through commonplacing is not about rote learning. Instead, it's about internalizing and applying ideas so they can be used in conversations or creative thinking, enhancing eloquence and understanding.

What role does the index play in a commonplace book?

The index in a commonplace book allows for easy navigation and retrieval of information. It typically lists the topics or headings and their corresponding page numbers, helping you locate specific ideas when needed.

How do commonplace books encourage creative thinking?

Commonplace books encourage creative thinking by allowing you to collect and juxtapose ideas from different sources. This synoptic approach helps you see connections between unrelated concepts, sparking new insights and innovative ideas.