Sat 15 Feb 2020 11:22:27 AM +08

content/zettels/20200215015052.md

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+title = "Learning Complex Information"
+author = ["Jethro Kuan"]
+lastmod = 2020-02-15T01:54:58+08:00
+slug = "learning_complex_information"
+draft = false
++++
+
+tags
+: [Learning]({{< relref "learning" >}}), [Reading]({{< relref "20200215015433" >}}), [Note-taking]({{< relref "note_taking" >}})

content/zettels/20200215015651.md

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+title = "Learning How To Learn"
+author = ["Jethro Kuan"]
+lastmod = 2020-02-15T01:57:29+08:00
+slug = "learning_how_to_learn"
+draft = false
++++
+
+tags
+: [Learning]({{< relref "learning" >}})
+
+
+## What is learning? {#what-is-learning}
+
+The brain operates in 2 modes: _diffuse mode_ and _focused mode_. It is
+important to exploit both modes for efficient learning.
+
+Tips:
+
+1.  When procrastinating, just start.
+2.  When learning something new, take time to rest and come back to it.
+    One effective method is to sleep right after learning something.
+3.  Sleep and exercise are important.
+
+
+## Chunking {#chunking}
+
+Chunking is the act of grouping concepts into compact packages of
+information for easy access.
+
+Tips:
+
+1.  Turn off distractions.
+2.  Solve the problem yourself; avoid the illusion of competence.
+3.  A chunk you have mastered in one area can often help you more
+    easily learn other chunks of information.
+4.  Learn the large-picture concept first, before diving into the details.
+5.  Try to recall new material learnt, in different places.
+6.  Test yourself.
+7.  Don't always trust your initial intuition.
+8.  Interleave problems from different chapters. This helps connect
+    different chunks of information.
+
+
+## Procrastination {#procrastination}
+
+Habit is an energy saver, it reduces the need for focus when
+performing tasks.
+
+Getting rid of procrastination can be done by:
+
+1.  Recognizing the trigger that launches you into a bad habitual routine.
+2.  Actively focus on rewiring bad habits.
+3.  Reward yourself for achieving step goals towards breaking the habits.
+4.  Change the underlying belief that causes the bad habit.
+
+
+## Memory {#memory}
+
+-   Visual memory is powerful. Images help encapsulate a hard to
+    remember concept.
+-   Consider spaced repetition.
+-   Create meaningful structure to help remember.
+-   Numbers can be memorised by linking to events.
+-   Memory palace technique: use a familiar place, and associate visual
+    images of things with physical places.
+-   Use metaphors and analogies to help memorise and understand
+    different concepts
+
+
+## Studying Practices {#studying-practices}
+
+1.  Step back and check, to consolidate knowledge.
+2.  Find focused people to analyse your work with.
+3.  Don't fool yourself.
+
+Checklist:
+
+1.  Did you make a serious effort to understand the text?
+2.  Did you attempt to outline every homework problem solution?
+3.  Did you understand all your homework problem's solutions?
+
+
+## Test-taking Technique {#test-taking-technique}
+
+1.  Take a quick look at the test.
+2.  Start with the hardest problem, and look at it for a few minutes.
+    Let the mind work on it while your work on other problems.
+3.  Solve what you can, and move back to the hard problem.

content/zettels/20200215015828.md

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+title = "Learning How To Do Hard Things"
+author = ["Jethro Kuan"]
+lastmod = 2020-02-15T01:58:53+08:00
+slug = "learning_how_to_do_hard_things"
+draft = false
++++
+
+tags
+: [Learning]({{< relref "learning" >}})
+
+paper
+: <a id="18a574fb676f30d45e9eade45536c091" href="#maciver_hard_things">(David MacIver, 2019)</a>
+
+The key is to isolate one aspect of the problem that is difficult and
+work on it. This provides a direct feedback loop.
+
+> 1.  Find something that is like the hard thing but is easy.
+> 2.  Modify the easy thing so that it is like the hard thing in exactly one way that you find hard.
+> 3.  Do the modified thing until it is no longer hard.
+> 4.  If you get stuck, do one of the following:
+>     1.  Go back to step 3 and pick a different way in which the problem is hard.
+>     2.  Recursively apply the general system for learning to do hard things to the thing you’re stuck on.
+>     3.  Go ask an expert or a rubber duck for advice.
+>     4.  If you’re still stuck after trying the first three, it’s possible that you may have hit some sort of natural difficulty limit and may not be able to make progress.
+> 5.  If the original hard thing is now easy, you’re done. If not, go back to step 2.
+
+# Bibliography
+<a id="maciver_hard_things" target="_blank">MacIver, D. R. (2019). *How to do hard things*. Retrieved from [https://www.drmaciver.com/2019/05/how-to-do-hard-things/](https://www.drmaciver.com/2019/05/how-to-do-hard-things/). Online; accessed 20 May 2019.</a> [↩](#18a574fb676f30d45e9eade45536c091)

content/zettels/20200215020015.md

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+title = "HN: Learning Complex Technical Information"
+author = ["Jethro Kuan"]
+lastmod = 2020-02-15T02:22:05+08:00
+slug = "hn_learning_complex_technical_information"
+draft = false
++++
+
+tags
+: [Learning]({{< relref "learning" >}}), [Note-taking]({{< relref "note_taking" >}}), [Reading]({{< relref "20200215015433" >}})
+
+source
+: [Ask HN: How do you learn complex, dense technical information? | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22325975)
+
+
+Example-based learning for abstract material
+
+Use the [Three-pass Technique]({{< relref "20200215020843" >}}) for reading papers
+
+Use [Spaced Repetition]({{< relref "spaced_repetition" >}}), both for "memorizing" disconnected information,
+    as well as "memorizing" connections between information nodes.
+
+Use the [Feynman Technique]({{< relref "20200215021546" >}})
+
+Reading techniques from [How To Read A Book]({{< relref "20200215021714" >}})
+    -   **Inspectional Reading:** to decide whether a book is worth reading
+        (about 15 min)
+    -   **Analytical Reading:** ask yourself questions (i.e. active
+        reading)

content/zettels/20200215021546.md

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+title = "Feynman Technique"
+author = ["Jethro Kuan"]
+lastmod = 2020-02-15T02:15:53+08:00
+slug = "feynman_technique"
+draft = false
++++
+
+tags
+: [Richard Feynman]({{< relref "20200213173516" >}})

content/zettels/20200215021714.md

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+title = "How To Read A Book"
+author = ["Jethro Kuan"]
+lastmod = 2020-02-15T02:17:20+08:00
+slug = "how_to_read_a_book"
+draft = false
++++

content/zettels/how_to_take_smart_notes.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 +++
 title = "How To Take Smart Notes"
 author = ["Jethro Kuan"]
-lastmod = 2020-02-14T13:28:42+08:00
+lastmod = 2020-02-14T23:58:29+08:00
 draft = false
 +++
 
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ Hence, use the [Zettelkasten]({{< relref "zettelkasten" >}}) method. To get arou
 note-taking, it is important to understand that:
 
 1.  Note sequences are meant for developing ideas, not storing them
-2.  Links and indices  are helpful, but not central features
+2.  Links and indices are helpful, but not central features
 3.  The workflow is streamlined to writing
 
 In [Zettelkasten]({{< relref "zettelkasten" >}}), the most time-consuming portion is determining _the

content/zettels/learning.md

@@ -1,114 +1,6 @@
 +++
 title = "Learning"
 author = ["Jethro Kuan"]
-lastmod = 2019-05-20T22:35:35+08:00
+lastmod = 2020-02-15T01:58:23+08:00
 draft = false
-math = true
 +++
-
-## Learning How to Learn {#learning-how-to-learn}
-
-
-### What is learning? {#what-is-learning}
-
-The brain operates in 2 modes: _diffuse mode_ and _focused mode_. It is
-important to exploit both modes for efficient learning.
-
-Tips:
-
-1.  When procrastinating, just start.
-2.  When learning something new, take time to rest and come back to it.
-    One effective method is to sleep right after learning something.
-3.  Sleep and exercise are important.
-
-
-### Chunking {#chunking}
-
-Chunking is the act of grouping concepts into compact packages of
-information for easy access.
-
-Tips:
-
-1.  Turn off distractions.
-2.  Solve the problem yourself; avoid the illusion of competence.
-3.  A chunk you have mastered in one area can often help you more
-    easily learn other chunks of information.
-4.  Learn the large-picture concept first, before diving into the details.
-5.  Try to recall new material learnt, in different places.
-6.  Test yourself.
-7.  Don't always trust your initial intuition.
-8.  Interleave problems from different chapters. This helps connect
-    different chunks of information.
-
-
-### Procrastination {#procrastination}
-
-Habit is an energy saver, it reduces the need for focus when
-performing tasks.
-
-Getting rid of procrastination can be done by:
-
-1.  Recognizing the trigger that launches you into a bad habitual routine.
-2.  Actively focus on rewiring bad habits.
-3.  Reward yourself for achieving step goals towards breaking the habits.
-4.  Change the underlying belief that causes the bad habit.
-
-
-### Memory {#memory}
-
--   Visual memory is powerful. Images help encapsulate a hard to
-    remember concept.
--   Consider spaced repetition.
--   Create meaningful structure to help remember.
--   Numbers can be memorised by linking to events.
--   Memory palace technique: use a familiar place, and associate visual
-    images of things with physical places.
--   Use metaphors and analogies to help memorise and understand
-    different concepts
-
-
-### Studying Practices {#studying-practices}
-
-1.  Step back and check, to consolidate knowledge.
-2.  Find focused people to analyse your work with.
-3.  Don't fool yourself.
-
-Checklist:
-
-1.  Did you make a serious effort to understand the text?
-2.  Did you attempt to outline every homework problem solution?
-3.  Did you understand all your homework problem's solutions?
-
-
-### Test-taking Technique {#test-taking-technique}
-
-1.  Take a quick look at the test.
-2.  Start with the hardest problem, and look at it for a few minutes.
-    Let the mind work on it while your work on other problems.
-3.  Solve what you can, and move back to the hard problem.
-
-
-## Learning How to Do Hard Things {#learning-how-to-do-hard-things}
-
-The key is to isolate one aspect of the problem that is difficult and
-work on it. This provides a direct feedback loop <sup id="18a574fb676f30d45e9eade45536c091"><a href="#maciver_hard_things" title="@misc{maciver_hard_things,
-  author =       {David R. MacIver},
-  howpublished =
-                  {https://www.drmaciver.com/2019/05/how-to-do-hard-things/},
-  note =         {Online; accessed 20 May 2019},
-  title =        {How to do hard things},
-  year =         {2019},
-}">(David MacIver, 2019)</a></sup>.
-
-> 1.  Find something that is like the hard thing but is easy.
-> 2.  Modify the easy thing so that it is like the hard thing in exactly one way that you find hard.
-> 3.  Do the modified thing until it is no longer hard.
-> 4.  If you get stuck, do one of the following:
->     1.  Go back to step 3 and pick a different way in which the problem is hard.
->     2.  Recursively apply the general system for learning to do hard things to the thing you’re stuck on.
->     3.  Go ask an expert or a rubber duck for advice.
->     4.  If you’re still stuck after trying the first three, it’s possible that you may have hit some sort of natural difficulty limit and may not be able to make progress.
-> 5.  If the original hard thing is now easy, you’re done. If not, go back to step 2.
-
-# Bibliography
-<a id="maciver_hard_things"></a>MacIver, D. R. (2019). *How to do hard things*. Retrieved from [https://www.drmaciver.com/2019/05/how-to-do-hard-things/](https://www.drmaciver.com/2019/05/how-to-do-hard-things/). Online; accessed 20 May 2019. [↩](#18a574fb676f30d45e9eade45536c091)

content/zettels/zettelkasten.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 +++
 title = "Zettelkasten"
 author = ["Jethro Kuan"]
-lastmod = 2020-02-13T21:33:13+08:00
+lastmod = 2020-02-15T00:38:04+08:00
 draft = false
 +++
 
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ permanent
 ## Why Zettelkasten {#why-zettelkasten}
 
 1.  Forces you to adopt a linking system: connect ideas, tangents
-2.  Break ideas up into smaller pieces, increase surface area for expansion
+2.  Break ideas up into smaller pieces, increase surface area for
+    expansion
 
 [The Zettelkasten Method - LessWrong 2.0](https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/NfdHG6oHBJ8Qxc26s/the-zettelkasten-method-1)

org/20200215015433.org

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+#+TITLE: Reading
+