Notes on 'How to Take Smart Notes'
Author: Sönke Ahrens
Simplicity is paramount
Simplicity has 2nd order effects. If you build with shipping containers, you can't foresee what will be created using its modularity. The simplicity is what allows for this modularity, and the modularity is what allows creative new combinations and abstractions. Extraordinary/Countercultural thinkers take simple ideas seriously (they question and build up from first principles).
Writing facilitates thinking, reading, & learning
Thinking, reading, and understanding & generating ideas is the main work — but writing is the best companion. You need writing to create external scaffolding for your thoughts and ideas.
Writing is, without dispute, the best facilitator for thinking, reading, learning, understanding and generating ideas we have
Creativity requires self-imposed constraints
Self-imposed restriction is counter intuitive when connection and options are so highly valued by society. Clear structure lets you explore internal possibilities (instead of wandering in an infinite space). In the space of ideas, a good solution to a constrained system is better than too many to an under-constrained one. Many great compositions were made in the simple fugue form.
Motivation and a feeling of control are the most important indicators of successful students
Students need to be able to steer the direction of their learning based off interest. The ability to do so fuels the feeling of control, while the fun of learning self-selected topics boosts motivation. If they can switch between projects as they get stuck or bored, it avoids periods of downtime and encourages cross-project insights.
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