The Best LEARNING Book in History - 40 Years AHEAD of its Time

Summary

In this insightful video, the speaker highlights the transformative power of William Zinsser's writing, particularly in his book 'On Writing Well.' Zinsser, a distinguished writer and teacher, emphasizes that writing serves as an essential tool for learning across various disciplines, revealing gaps in knowledge and enhancing clarity of thought. The video discusses the book's structure, which includes Zinsser's insights on writing and a curated collection of exemplary works. Additionally, the speaker introduces Brilliant.org, a platform offering interactive courses in math, science, and computer science, encouraging viewers to explore their learning potential.

Takeaways

• 📚 William Zinsser's book, 'On Writing Well,' transforms the approach to writing and learning.
• ✍️ Writing is not just for aspiring authors; it is a powerful tool for learning in any discipline, including math and science.
• 🧠 Zinsser emphasizes that writing helps uncover knowledge gaps and strengthens understanding.
• 😅 Many people, including Zinsser, find writing to be a challenging and sometimes painful process.
• 🔍 The book is divided into two parts: the first discusses the purpose and philosophy of writing, while the second showcases exemplary writing across various fields.
• 💡 Zinsser identifies two types of writing: explanatory (articulating known information) and exploratory (reflecting on personal understanding).
• 📊 The concepts in Zinsser's work align with proven learning techniques such as retrieval practice and elaborative interrogation.
• 🤔 Some critiques suggest the book lacks specific how-to guidance, but Zinsser intentionally leaves methods for the reader to discover.
• 📝 Clarity and organization in writing are essential for effective communication and deeper comprehension.
• 🚀 The video promotes a course from Brilliant.org that helps learners understand AI, paralleling Zinsser's view that learning should be engaging and interactive.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the book discussed in the video?

The book focuses on why and how to write, emphasizing the use of writing as a tool for learning across various disciplines, not just writing itself.

Who was William Zinsser and what was his contribution to writing?

William Zinsser was a professional writer and teacher known for his non-fiction writing course at Yale University. His book 'On Writing Well' has sold over one and a half million copies and is highly regarded for its insights on writing.

How does the video presenter feel about writing?

The presenter expresses a dislike for writing, finding it painful and frustrating. However, they also take pleasure in the satisfaction of having written successfully.

What are the two parts of Zinsser's book mentioned in the video?

The first part discusses Zinsser's motivations and objectives for writing the book, while the second part is a curated collection of exemplary writings across various disciplines, along with explanations of their quality.

What types of writing does Zinsser suggest are beneficial for learning?

Zinsser suggests two types of writing: explanatory writing, which involves clarifying what one knows, and exploratory writing, which is a free-form expression of thoughts and connections to a topic.

How does writing help identify gaps in knowledge?

Writing helps expose holes in knowledge or reasoning, prompting writers to understand what they know and what they still need to learn, thereby aiding in the learning process.

What are some criticisms of the book, according to the presenter?

Critics have pointed out that the book is not a how-to guide and lacks concrete examples. However, Zinsser himself indicates that he wanted to keep certain points implicit to avoid redundancy.

What learning techniques does the video relate to Zinsser's writing methods?

The presenter connects Zinsser's writing methods to well-known learning techniques supported by scientific research, such as retrieval practice, spaced practice, elaborative interrogation, and interleaving.

What is the value of the curated collection in the second part of the book?

The curated collection showcases examples of clear writing across various fields and highlights how the act of writing and rewriting can enhance clarity of thought and organization of ideas.

What additional resource is recommended in the video for understanding AI?

The video recommends a course on large language models from Brilliant.org, which offers interactive learning about AI and various other subjects in math, science, and computer science.