Capacity for Learning

[Dimocritus]

Ok, I've been known (to myself, anyhow) to be a bit tough on myself if I feel as if though I am not learning enough, or learning fast enough. Sometimes I wonder if I've just hit a ceiling and have no more "room" left to learn. But, is it possible to reach a cap when it comes to learning?  I mean, I want to do more, but sometimes I feel as if it is beyond my capabilities. I dunno... Maybe nevermind... Maybe I'm just having my equivalent of a "fat day" and I'm just feeling stupid lately...

[LMNO]

There doesn't seem to be an upper limit on learning... but it is possible to try to take steps to quickly, or skip over some important parts, so it seems like you're "too stupid to get it".

[Dimocritus]

There doesn't seem to be an upper limit on learning... but it is possible to try to take steps to quickly, or skip over some important parts, so it seems like you're "too stupid to get it".

The most important thing I've learned is "slow down" (took me the better part of a decade to get it...) and I sometimes forget... I wonder what I'm trying to skip over...

[AFK]

Well, as we get closer to our permanent dirt nap, the body does eventually start to break down and invariably that does involve the brain.  But I'm thinking we still have the capacity to learn.  To the extent it involves the rest of our dying body probably plays a role as well. 

[LMNO]

There doesn't seem to be an upper limit on learning... but it is possible to try to take steps to quickly, or skip over some important parts, so it seems like you're "too stupid to get it".

The most important thing I've learned is "slow down" (took me the better part of a decade to get it...) and I sometimes forget... I wonder what I'm trying to skip over...

What are you trying to learn?

[Dimocritus]

There doesn't seem to be an upper limit on learning... but it is possible to try to take steps to quickly, or skip over some important parts, so it seems like you're "too stupid to get it".

The most important thing I've learned is "slow down" (took me the better part of a decade to get it...) and I sometimes forget... I wonder what I'm trying to skip over...

What are you trying to learn?

lol, everything... I'm an ass...

[LMNO]

If you're trying to learn everything all at once, I think I can identify the problem...

[AFK]

Perhaps the first lesson is prioritization. 

[Dimocritus]

If you're trying to learn everything all at once, I think I can identify the problem...

Yeah. I had to laugh at myself as I answered that question. There's just so much to know, how do you narrow it down to what's important? I mean, everything from history to quantum physics... It all just seems so important to know these things... There's just not enough time. I've been spending a lot of time lately trying to explain the origins of Christian mythology with realistic explanations, but it seems it's an exercise in futility. I'm not even sure why I'm doing it...

[LMNO]

So, the issue isn't that you can't learn things, it's that you can't figure out which thing to learn?

[Jenne]

Methinks you've hit the roadbump in life known as: the more I know, the more I know I DON'T know, or even CAN'T know.

It's ok.  One of those individual limitations that comes upon us when we want to embrace knowledge, from all walks and areas.  One way to satisfy this:  learn the FUCK out of one or two things...it helps assuage that particular, potentially immobilizing personal conundrum.

[Dimocritus]

So, the issue isn't that you can't learn things, it's that you can't figure out which thing to learn?

Yes, I suppose this is the real issue. I've been thinking lately of becoming a college level teacher. That way I can continue the learning process indefinitely.

Methinks you've hit the roadbump in life known as: the more I know, the more I know I DON'T know, or even CAN'T know.

It's ok.  One of those individual limitations that comes upon us when we want to embrace knowledge, from all walks and areas.  One way to satisfy this:  learn the FUCK out of one or two things...it helps assuage that particular, potentially immobilizing personal conundrum.

Oh, I certainly have hit that bump, but from here it looks more like the friggin' Andes. I've been trying to narrow down my interests, but it's difficult because it seems that the the things I'm interested in are very much intertwined with other subjects. For instance, I feel that history, literature, philosophy/theology are all so closely connected that you can't pick just one.

[Jenne]

Oh, I certainly have hit that bump, but from here it looks more like the friggin' Andes. I've been trying to narrow down my interests, but it's difficult because it seems that the the things I'm interested in are very much intertwined with other subjects. For instance, I feel that history, literature, philosophy/theology are all so closely connected that you can't pick just one.

So take classes in each that call to you.  Look at the books that are offered as curriculum and read the synopses.

That's how I did my poli sci international relations major for 3 years, and it paid off big time.

[LMNO]

For instance, I feel that history, literature, philosophy/theology are all so closely connected that you can't pick just one.

Solution: Read more Umberto Eco.

[Dimocritus]

And then there's politics, sociology, psychology, astronomy, biology, anthropology, archeology, film study, everything related to computers... aargh... freakin' OVERLOAD! Methinks I need to take a chill pill and re-asses my goals...