I came across How To Think by Ed Boyden via O'Reilly Radar and it resonated with my attitudes, specifically in the context of working toward my PhD.
Two points I particularly liked were Synthesize new ideas constantly and Document everything obsessively as these are principles I have adopted in recent years (see my recent technical reports as evidence). Even his notion of write up best-practices protocols I have found useful in my report on Debrief of PhD Project Practices, and an upcoming report on Dissertation Writing Best Practices.
Anyway, Ed's post prompted me to create this blog with the basic premise of to never read passively. Hopefully I can capture some writings more coherent that my previous blogging efforts in Pensive Pondering, and the CIS Lab Blog.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
How to Think
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6 comments:
I think a more accurate premise for this blog is never think passively.
I like your title, especially in the context of software development. Almost everyone reads code, but few fully realize the importance of reading and understanding code.
I'm just reading "How to Think" now. Are there any follow-up articles you'd strongly recommend? Other sources for similar ideas?
It's a very interesting idea. I usually write down some of my thoughts in a notepad, it´s a good way to remember them in the future.
Bye.
Just ran across your blog and this article. I am kind of at the beginning of the learning curve of this type of process. The problem I have is how to process all the notes I have taken? Seems like it takes more time to review and digest the notes than to do something else more productive.
@Adam, consider a knowledge management system. I like to produce semi-formal work product as outcomes for notes. Things like blog posts, tech reports, google doc, essays, books github projects, etc. Also, organize notes by subject or area of interest and make them searchable.
re: "doing something more productive" - sure, it's a tradeoff between retention and acquisition - find your own balance for each subject area/medium.
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