Ultralearning - Scott H. Young#
Note
The full title of this book is Ultralearning - Master Hard Skills, Outsmart the Competition, and Accelerate Your Career
This is a great resource on understanding how to learn.
Todo
Link to other great books on how to learn, including the Coursera book
and Art of Learning - Josh Waitzkin
Chapter 1 - Can You Get an MIT Education Without Going to MIT?#
Introduces the concept of ultralearning.
Discusses the author’s journey of completing the entire 4 year MIT curriculum for Computer Science.
Showcases the author’s journey travelliing the world and learning languages.
Lists examples of
Benny Lewis and his language learning method.
Eric Barone’s story about learning game development and creating Stardew Valley
Steve Pavlina’s journey in learning how to complete his CS degree in 3 semesters
And many more.
Chapter 2 - Why Ultralearning Matters#
Explains what Ultralearning is.
Strategy
Self-directed
Intense
Ultralearning is an investment into your work.
Ultralearning is a way to improve your personal life.
Skill Polarization
Education - Tuition is too high
Technology - New frontiers in learning
Ultralearning does not require new technology.
Professional success was rarely the thing that moticated the ultralearners - including those who ended up making the most money from their new skills. Instead it was a compelling vision of what they wanted to do, a deep curiosity, or even the challenge itself that drove them forward.
The best ultralearners are those who blend the practical reasons for learning a skill with an inspiration that comes from something that excites them.
Doing hard things, particularly things that involve learning something new, stretches your self-conception.
Particular types of practice can change most attributes necessary for becoming an expert-level performer with the exception of the innate traits of height and body size. - K. Anders Ericsson
Find time for ultralearning by doing it part-time. The core of the strategy is intensity and a willingness to prioritize effectiveness.
A spread-out schedule may even be more efficient in terms of long-term memory.
Pursue ultralearning during gaps in work.
Integrate ultralearning principles into the time and energy you already devote to learning.
Ultralearning doesn’t have to be an additional activity; it can inform the time you already spend learning.
Ultralearning is learnable.
Chapter 3. How to Become an Ultralearner#
Principles of Becoming an Ultralearner:
Metalearning: First Draw a Map
Focus: Sharpen Your Knife
Directness: Go Straight Ahead
Drill: Attack Your Weakest Point
Retrieval: Test to Learn
Feedback: Don’t Dodge the Punches
Retention: Don’t Fill a Leaky Bucket
Experimentation: Explore Ourside Your Comfort Zone
Chapter 4. Principle 1 - Metalearning - First Draw a Map#
What is Metalearning? - Learning about learning
The Power of your metalearning map:
Being able to see how a subject works, what kinds of skills and information must be mastered, and what methods are available to do so more effectively is at the heart of success of all ultralearning
Todo
Write down notes and thoughts on the rest of the chapters