How I Remember What I Read

Summary

This video script outlines an eight-stage process for enhancing reading retention and active learning. Starting as a 'Simple Dark Eye' with passive reading habits, the narrator evolves through stages like 'Soldier' with the SQ3R framework, 'Aspiring Light Eye' through conversation, and 'Full Light Eye' by categorizing books and reading levels. The journey culminates in 'Knight's Radiant,' where deep learning projects are undertaken. The script emphasizes techniques like annotation, summarization, and content creation to internalize and share knowledge effectively.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video discusses an eight-stage process to improve the ability to remember what one reads, inspired by Brandon Sanderson's 'Stormlight Archive' series.
• 🔍 The first stage, 'Simple Dark Eye', represents a passive reading approach where no notes or active engagement with the material is made.
• 📝 In the 'Soldier' stage, the author introduces the SQ3R reading framework to transform passive reading into an active learning process through surveying, questioning, reading, reciting, and reviewing.
• 🗣️ 'Aspiring Light Eye' is the stage where the reader starts conversing about what they read, which aids in memory retention and understanding through teaching and discussing ideas.
• 📚 'Light Eye' is the stage where the reader adjusts their reading approach based on the type of book, such as personal development, informational, or fiction.
• 🧐 The 'Battalion Lord' stage involves creating a system for collecting and reviewing highlights and annotations, using tools like Readwise to facilitate active recall and spaced repetition.
• ✍️ As a 'Shard Bearer', the author emphasizes the importance of writing book summaries to synthesize and solidify understanding of the material read.
• 🤴 'High Prince' is the stage where the reader intentionally creates content from their book notes and summaries, benefiting from the Feynman technique and increasing the chance of serendipitous opportunities.
• 🌟 'Knight's Radiant' represents the final stage of deep learning projects, where in-depth exploration of topics through multiple books provides a comprehensive understanding and long-term retention.
• 💡 The video encourages readers not to feel overwhelmed by the journey, suggesting that even reaching stage six can significantly improve one's reading retention and understanding.
• 🧠 The author also mentions the concept of 'building a second brain' as a workflow for capturing and fostering knowledge over time, which complements the reading stages discussed.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is the eight stages the speaker went through to improve their ability to remember what they read.

What is the first stage of the reading process described by the speaker?

The first stage is being a 'simple dark eye', which involves reading passively without taking notes or creating action items.

What is the SQ3R reading framework mentioned in the video?

The SQ3R reading framework is a method that stands for Survey, Question, Read, Recite, and Review, designed to make reading more active and intentional.

How does the speaker suggest using the Feynman technique to improve memory of what is read?

The speaker suggests using the Feynman technique by explaining the ideas from books in the most distilled form possible, as if to a five-year-old, to ensure true understanding and retention.

What is the significance of becoming a 'Light Eye' in the speaker's reading journey?

Becoming a 'Light Eye' signifies the stage where the speaker started to read books differently based on their type and began to engage in conversations about their reading to enhance memory.

What are the three major types of books the speaker categorizes for different reading approaches?

The three major types of books are personal development, informational/instructional, and fiction (sci-fi, fantasy, manga).

How does the speaker describe the process of 'synoptical reading'?

Synoptical reading is described as reading a series of books on one topic or idea and analyzing where they differ to reach a more informed conclusion, which helps avoid biased and one-sided thoughts.

What is the purpose of creating book summaries according to the video?

Creating book summaries helps the speaker synthesize ideas into a coherent flow, remember the material better over time, and use past writings as building blocks for future projects.

How does the speaker use 'Readwise' in their reading process?

The speaker uses Readwise to collect highlights and notes from various sources, which then sends a random selection of highlights to the speaker daily through email, facilitating active recall and spaced repetition.

What is the final stage of the speaker's reading journey, and what does it involve?

The final stage is becoming a 'Knight's Radiant', which involves undertaking deep learning projects on topics of interest, reading multiple books by different authors for varying perspectives, and gaining a comprehensive understanding and memory of the subject.

What is the concept of 'building a second brain' mentioned in the video?

Building a second brain is the act of capturing knowledge and fostering it over time for creative acts. It involves a workflow to remember, implement, and create content from what is read.