Capacity for Learning

[Telarus]

A true initiation never ends.

[NotPublished]

Well apart from the learning-overload, have you found your method on Learning 'How to Learn'?

Usually when trying to learn something new (If its a text-book thing), I found that slowly reading a paragraph (then re-read it again, a few times ~ depends on my interest in it) and writing out a few keypoints on a piece of pad paper. Having an interest in the area helps almost 5000% ~ my key point on how to learn something is slow-repetition. Once its in there, its hard to lose. (Or just needs to be warmed up again)

When you stress yourself in trying to learn too much, then it becomes an overload. I guess remain calm and ignore everything when you are learning one thing, then move on. Its sorta systemetical!

Otherwise, echoing what others have said Keep your eyes open and experience life ( )

[Kai]

Dimo,

From what I understand, the brain has a nearly unlimited capacity for crosslinking neurons, which is how memory is developed. You shouldn't be the least bit worried about running out of room in your head.

[ñͤͣ̄ͦ̌̑͗͊͛͂͗ ̸̨̨̣̺̼̣̜͙͈͕̮̊̈́̈͂͛̽͊ͭ̓͆ͅé ̰̓̓́ͯ́́͞]

If the problem is of too many interests that are all roughly the same level of curiosity, consider choosing one at random and just running with it. If they truly are of equal interest this is an ideal solution because you stop wasting time stuck in limbo.

Often times this process reveals what you are most interested in doing and it no longer is needed to break the stasis.

Another approach is to write out a massive list of your priorities, don't just let them flit about in your mind amongst the flim flam. Separate it out by putting it on paper and organize them according to importance as well as how they may be linked together in categories.

Consider asking yourself a very detailed and pointed question, setting a timer and just writing your balls off, even if you're just writing the same word over and over and especially if it doesn't seem to relate to the question at all. Keep going and resist the urge to correct grammar and spelling. Just pour it out until the timer goes off. You might not even need to review it for insight on your original question.

I don't recommend you write the question on the page though, as you'll be tempted stop and look at it and then look at what you wrote and then look at prolapsed anuses and then look at you forget you were even writing in the first place.

[Juana]

I think I know where you're coming from--trying to jam a shit ton of information in all at once on umpteen different topics made me wonder something similar (is there really any more room in there?). What I found worked was to sit down with a sheet of butcher paper and map out everything that I was thinking and learning about. Helped me make connections, organized my head, and removed that feeling, which let me keep going.

[Doktor Howl]

If the problem is of too many interests that are all roughly the same level of curiosity, consider choosing one at random and just running with it. If they truly are of equal interest this is an ideal solution because you stop wasting time stuck in limbo.

Often times this process reveals what you are most interested in doing and it no longer is needed to break the stasis.

Another approach is to write out a massive list of your priorities, don't just let them flit about in your mind amongst the flim flam. Separate it out by putting it on paper and organize them according to importance as well as how they may be linked together in categories.

Consider asking yourself a very detailed and pointed question, setting a timer and just writing your balls off, even if you're just writing the same word over and over and especially if it doesn't seem to relate to the question at all. Keep going and resist the urge to correct grammar and spelling. Just pour it out until the timer goes off. You might not even need to review it for insight on your original question.

I don't recommend you write the question on the page though, as you'll be tempted stop and look at it and then look at what you wrote and then look at prolapsed anuses and then look at you forget you were even writing in the first place.

Um.

Did this make sense to anyone?  I must be stoned or something, because I have no idea what that means.

[Eater of Clowns]

If the problem is of too many interests that are all roughly the same level of curiosity, consider choosing one at random and just running with it. If they truly are of equal interest this is an ideal solution because you stop wasting time stuck in limbo.

Often times this process reveals what you are most interested in doing and it no longer is needed to break the stasis.

Another approach is to write out a massive list of your priorities, don't just let them flit about in your mind amongst the flim flam. Separate it out by putting it on paper and organize them according to importance as well as how they may be linked together in categories.

Consider asking yourself a very detailed and pointed question, setting a timer and just writing your balls off, even if you're just writing the same word over and over and especially if it doesn't seem to relate to the question at all. Keep going and resist the urge to correct grammar and spelling. Just pour it out until the timer goes off. You might not even need to review it for insight on your original question.

I don't recommend you write the question on the page though, as you'll be tempted stop and look at it and then look at what you wrote and then look at prolapsed anuses and then look at you forget you were even writing in the first place.

Um.

Did this make sense to anyone?  I must be stoned or something, because I have no idea what that means.

If torn between several interets, just pick one and run with it, come back to the others later.
Make lists of priorities in order of importance.
Ask a pointed question of yourself and write as a timer goes.  Do not write said question on page.

[BabylonHoruv]

I've found the things I actually put into practice are the ones I learn the most effectively.

Currently i am learning to brew beer.  i had done a lot of research, but until I actually started boiling stuff and mixing stuff, and had a carboy in my basement I wasn't learning that much.  Soon I'll have some bottles of beer, and, assuming it turns out well, I can say I have learned to brew beer, althoguh, of course, there will still be more to learn.  I find that if I am only researching I am learning much less effectively than if I am putting my research into practice as I research.

[Dimocritus]

Thanks very much for all your insightful responses (and some of the less insightful ones). I found myself nodding in affirmation as I read most of them.

Nigel, you have some very good points that I was beginning to touch upon in my own thoughts, and it's nice to be able to check these ideas against other peoples thoughts on the subject.

EoC, the drunk and the lamp-post was great for sort of putting things into perspective.

Kai, that is encouraging (also, fuck you [jk])

NotPublished, have I told you that I think you're a really cool guy? 'Cuz I do.

Thanks again guys for, at the very least, reminding me why I love this place. This is clearly the BEST worst forum on the interbutts...

[NotPublished]

I can accept that 

[Triple Zero]

If the problem is of too many interests that are all roughly the same level of curiosity, consider choosing one at random and just running with it. If they truly are of equal interest this is an ideal solution because you stop wasting time stuck in limbo.

Often times this process reveals what you are most interested in doing and it no longer is needed to break the stasis.

Another approach is to write out a massive list of your priorities, don't just let them flit about in your mind amongst the flim flam. Separate it out by putting it on paper and organize them according to importance as well as how they may be linked together in categories.

Consider asking yourself a very detailed and pointed question, setting a timer and just writing your balls off, even if you're just writing the same word over and over and especially if it doesn't seem to relate to the question at all. Keep going and resist the urge to correct grammar and spelling. Just pour it out until the timer goes off. You might not even need to review it for insight on your original question.

I don't recommend you write the question on the page though, as you'll be tempted stop and look at it and then look at what you wrote and then look at prolapsed anuses and then look at you forget you were even writing in the first place.

Um.

Did this make sense to anyone?  I must be stoned or something, because I have no idea what that means.

It's a way of sitting down and thinking really hard and figuring out difficult things and/or what to do next.

Pretty much kind of what Dimo asked about.

I use this a lot, especially prioritized lists, brainstorming, usually about smaller issues though. It's easy and it actually helps. Sometimes you want to sit and think and figure stuff out real bad, but your mind, not being like a muscle, doesn't always switch into gear on command. In fact, my particular mind is pretty fucking notorious for that. Going through a specific set of actions, like writing things down, is something physical you can always try or do and it often helps me set my mind in motion. I don't mean when I'm dead tired or something, but when I am awake, alert and somehow completely stuck.

[LMNO]

I got distracted when he mentioned prolapsed anuses.

[Brotep]

Dead on about priorities. You could just freely explore a subject, but that would have nothing to do with what you have already learned, and without structure you'll quickly be overwhelmed.

And Dimo, sounds like you're tailor-made for History & Philosophy of Science.