This method of self-directed learning works.

Click to enlarge: In this cartoon, the guru says: "You'd better have a seat - people tend to fall down the mountain when I tell them the meaning of life."

The best way to learn about something is not at the feet of one person who knows a lot about it (though that is not a bad way), but to consume enormous numbers of perspectives on the same topic from a variety of knowledgeable people. Only then can you discern what are likely the most central ideas, likely the most peripheral, and the rhythm among them.

I've listened to a dozen books at least on quantum mechanics and string theory; after the first few, you begin to see the nuts and the bolts. After a few more, the major disagreements among theorists, and after a few more, the intriguing alleys between them where most of the next big ideas are.

I'm not an expert on anything (except writing, and a few folks might dispute that), but I do know this method of self-directed learning works.

 

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"You gotta believe in foolish miracles."
--Ozzy Osbourne

 

 

c0