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Ask HN: How do you become an active reader and deep thinker?

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Re: Ask HN: How do you become an active reader and deep thinker?

#14
Rather than try to remember and use small facts and summaries as you encounter them, build up material you can use to make larger associations. Read multiple books on a subject, then on another, that interests you. You should start to have some ideas about the intersection of those subjects. Perhaps read further in this area, or start to write. If you’re not feeling those subjects draw you into contemplation and further study, choose different ones. Quantity of knowledge will start to work for you over time.

Re: Ask HN: How do you become an active reader and deep thinker?

#15
1. Don't listen to music/podcasts when showering, going on walks/runs or exercising (unless you are doing to something intense and need some motivation). This will allow you to brew the ideas already in your head.

2. Don't speed through books/blog posts. I was always confused when people said they read 1 book a week (unless it was a fiction book). When I read a non-fiction book, I take weeks to read it - even if it is not something dense. I read a chapter of a book or one blog post and let the ideas wander in my head as I shower, walk, or exercise ;)

3. When you get an idea, write it down in a simple app like Notes or Trello.

Re: Ask HN: How do you become an active reader and deep thinker?

#16

Start a blog and start writing :) I really like the idea of https://100daystooffload.com/ . I think consuming and producing information should ideally go together. Usually, I first talk about something I read with friends. Through these dialogues, where together you talk about what you have read, you gain new insights. Some years ago I started taking private notes and shortly writing thoughts about events and article…

Yep, I really like the concept of "Learning in public". Which is essentially described in "The Coding Career Handbook". Learn stuff -> Blog about it.

Here's a free sample: https://www.learninpublic.org/v1-principles-learn-in-public....

Re: Ask HN: How do you become an active reader and deep thinker?

#18
I'm not great at this either, but have been getting better by --

* I have a separate virtual desktop with only my note taking tool (always open). Copy/paste or use a plug-in to feed anything interesting to note taking app / tag it. I use Roam Research (allows bidirectional linking, but you can use anything).

* I often use the "5 whys" technique as a BS detector as I manage my team. I do that with myself too lately and find it quickly tells me when my understanding bottoms out (often by the third "why")

* I have been using a voice memo app to talk to myself when outside. I form narratives better when I speak (out loud) and retain information much better than when I write (though writing is better than nothing or "saying it in your head")

Re: Ask HN: How do you become an active reader and deep thinker?

#20
I have been applying the lessons to from - https://takesmartnotes.com/

Specifically, the notion of reading with a pen in hand for making “fleeting notes” as I read, then returning to those (shortly thereafter) to rewrite the information in my own words into single-idea “permanent notes”.

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