becoming smart is easy, actually

Collin The Chad

21 Mar 202404:35

Summary

TLDRIn this video, Colin, a Yale University computer science student, shares three habits to become smarter: reading non-fiction books for knowledge and vocabulary enhancement, watching educational podcasts and videos to absorb valuable information, and creating content to share and apply what you've learned. He recommends a list of 12 books across various categories and emphasizes the importance of active learning and content creation for personal growth and success.

Takeaways

📚 Develop the habit of reading books, especially non-fiction, to acquire knowledge and experience quickly.
🎓 Reading books can improve vocabulary, provide interesting facts for conversation, and enhance daily life application.
📈 Start with a manageable goal like reading one book a month and gradually increase reading frequency.
📖 Recommended books cover psychology, biographies, mindset, and productivity to become 'super smart'.
🎧 Watch educational podcasts and videos to level up in life, avoiding content that doesn't contribute to personal growth.
📝 Take active notes while consuming podcasts to retain information and avoid forgetting valuable insights.
💡 Consuming content should be paired with active recall and application for better knowledge absorption.
🚀 Become a content creator by sharing knowledge through videos, blogs, and social media to inspire others.
🌐 Content creation not only reinforces what you've learned but also builds a social circle and potentially leads to wealth.
🌟 The feeling of helping millions improve their lives through creation is priceless and contributes to personal fulfillment.

Q & A

What are the three main reasons people want to become smart according to the video?
-People want to become smart to get good grades, to become wealthy, and to gain respect from others without appearing too nerdy.
What is the first habit that the speaker suggests to become a genius?
-The first habit is reading books, specifically non-fiction, as it allows one to acquire years of knowledge and experience quickly.
How often does the speaker recommend reading books?
-The speaker recommends reading one book every two weeks, starting from the age of 15, and suggests a book a month for those just getting started.
What are the four categories of books and one recommended book from each that the speaker suggests?
-The categories are psychology, biographies or stories, thinking and mindset, and productivity. Recommended books are 'The 48 Laws of Power' by Robert Greene for psychology, 'Elon Musk' by Ashley Vance for biographies, 'Mastery' by Robert Greene for thinking and mindset, and 'Meditations' by Marcus Aurelius for productivity.
How can one apply the knowledge gained from reading books?
-By actively recalling the information, possibly through creating practice questions, and applying it to daily life, including casual conversations.
What is the second habit mentioned in the video for becoming smarter?
-The second habit is watching podcasts and videos that contribute to personal growth and learning, rather than those that lower IQ or are purely entertaining.
What are some podcasts that the speaker recommends to help level up in life?
-The speaker recommends Andrew Huberman's podcast on health, 'How to Get Rich Without Getting Lucky' by Nal, 'They Call Me Nando', 'Samir Podcast', and 'Diary of a CEO' for learning about startups.
Why should one take notes while listening to podcasts according to the video?
-Taking notes helps to actively engage with the content and prevents forgetting the information within the hour after listening.
What is the final habit the speaker suggests to become super smart?
-The final habit is becoming a creator by producing content such as videos, blogs, or tweets that inspire and motivate others, which also enhances one's own learning and income potential.
How did the speaker's own experience with creating content impact their life?
-The speaker went from 0 to 100,000 subscribers in less than a year, which not only helped them grow a social circle but also improved their life significantly.
What is the main takeaway from the video regarding self-education?
-The main takeaway is that by consuming knowledge through books and podcasts, and then creating and sharing content with others, one can become super smart and also contribute valuable insights to the world.

Outlines

00:00

📚 The Path to Smartness: Simple Habits for Genius

Colin, a Yale University computer science student, introduces three habits to become smarter. He emphasizes the importance of reading non-fiction books for knowledge acquisition and practical application, recommending a book-a-month reading schedule. He suggests titles from psychology, biographies, mindset, and productivity genres to enhance one's understanding and purpose. Colin also highlights the value of applying knowledge through active recall and practice.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Intelligence

Intelligence, as discussed in the video, refers to the ability to learn, understand, and apply knowledge effectively. It is the central theme of the video, with the speaker, Colin, emphasizing that becoming smart is not about years of formal education but adopting certain habits. The video suggests that intelligence can be enhanced for various reasons such as academic success, financial prosperity, and social respect, without necessarily becoming a 'nerd'.

💡Habits

Habits, in the context of this video, are regular practices that can lead to significant improvements in one's intelligence over time. Colin outlines three specific habits—reading books, watching educational podcasts and videos, and creating content—that can transform a person into a 'genius'. These habits are presented as accessible and effective strategies for self-improvement.

💡Non-fiction Books

Non-fiction books are literary works that deal with real-world topics, as opposed to fictional stories. In the video, Colin recommends reading non-fiction over fiction for the purpose of gaining knowledge and experience quickly. He suggests that non-fiction books allow readers to apply the acquired knowledge to their daily lives and engage in conversations with interesting facts.

💡Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and behavior. In the video, Colin recommends specific books under the category of psychology to help viewers understand power dynamics, social interactions, and influence. These books are meant to teach strategies for increasing one's impact and becoming powerful.

💡Biographies

Biographies are writings that detail the life stories of real individuals, often highlighting their achievements and challenges. Colin suggests reading biographies to gain insights into the mindset and journeys of successful people. These stories can serve as inspiration and provide lessons on innovation and the right mindset for success.

💡Mindset

Mindset refers to a person's attitudes and beliefs about themselves and their abilities. In the video, Colin discusses books that promote a growth mindset, which is the belief that talents and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. These books aim to provide readers with a more meaningful purpose and encourage a proactive approach to learning and self-improvement.

💡Productivity

Productivity refers to the efficiency and effectiveness with which one accomplishes tasks and goals. The video includes books on productivity that offer strategies for managing time and energy to achieve more with a focus on personal development and success. These books aim to help viewers optimize their daily routines and work towards their objectives.

💡Podcasts

Podcasts are digital audio programs that one can listen to on-demand. In the video, Colin recommends specific podcasts as a means of learning and self-improvement. He emphasizes the importance of actively engaging with the content by taking notes, which helps retain information and apply it to one's life.

💡Content Creation

Content creation refers to the process of producing and sharing original material, such as videos, blogs, or social media posts. Colin encourages viewers to become creators as a way to internalize and share the knowledge they consume. This not only helps in personal growth but also in building a social circle and potentially earning income.

💡Active Recall

Active recall is a learning technique where one actively tries to retrieve information from memory, rather than passively rereading or reviewing material. In the video, Colin suggests using active recall by creating practice questions based on what one has read, which helps in absorbing knowledge more effectively.

💡Social Circle

A social circle refers to the group of people with whom one interacts and shares common interests. In the video, Colin mentions that by becoming a content creator, one can build a fun social circle and meet interesting people who share similar goals and interests, thus enriching one's personal and professional life.

Highlights

The video discusses simple habits to become smart, challenging traditional educational timelines.

Three main reasons to become smart are for good grades, wealth, and respect without appearing nerdy.

The presenter, Colin, a Yale University computer science student, shares his strategies for becoming a genius.

Reading books is the fastest way to become smart, offering years of knowledge and experience in a few pages.

Recommendation to read non-fiction books for practical knowledge and daily life application.

Colin has been reading one book every two weeks since age 15 and suggests starting with one book a month.

A list of 12 books in four categories is provided for viewers to become super smart.

Books recommended for psychology include 'The 48 Laws of Power', 'How to Win Friends and Influence People', and 'Influence'.

For biographies, 'Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future', 'Can't Hurt Me', and 'Shoe Dog' are suggested.

Thinking and mindset books to read are 'Mastery', 'The Creative Act', and 'Principles'.

Philosophy and productivity books include 'Meditations', 'The Miracle Morning', and 'Feel-Good Productivity'.

Reading books should involve active recall and application of knowledge, not just passive reading.

The second habit for becoming smart is watching podcasts and videos that contribute to personal growth.

Podcasts recommended include Andrew Huberman's, 'How to Get Rich Without Getting Lucky', 'Samir Podcast', and 'Diary of a CEO'.

It's important to take active notes while listening to podcasts to retain information.

YouTube channels mentioned for various topics include David Laid, Dan Co, and Chad (the Asian guy).

The third habit is becoming a creator by sharing knowledge through videos, blogs, and social media.

Creating content not only helps others but also enhances the creator's knowledge and income potential.

Colin emphasizes the joy of helping millions and the community built through content creation.