Comments on: Knowing More By Knowing Less (or, How Do You Learn?) http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/ Sat, 05 Jul 2008 08:53:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: SHARKRIDE http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-19647 SHARKRIDE Thu, 15 Mar 2007 16:50:57 +0000 http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-19647 [...] reinforces what Fraser says is the importance for an educational shift from learning to remember to learning to use and [...] […] reinforces what Fraser says is the importance for an educational shift from learning to remember to learning to use and […]

]]> By: SHARKRIDE http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-5319 SHARKRIDE Fri, 27 Oct 2006 01:23:24 +0000 http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-5319 [...] I think Fraser is dead on about the changing role of education, as a result of technology, from learning to remember to learning to understand. What percentage of all the details of your middle and high-school history or science or math classes do you remember? 2-3% maybe? I day dreamed through most of school, and believe I’m not the only person out there to do so, and much of my best learning was achieved via independent studies. [...] […] I think Fraser is dead on about the changing role of education, as a result of technology, from learning to remember to learning to understand. What percentage of all the details of your middle and high-school history or science or math classes do you remember? 2-3% maybe? I day dreamed through most of school, and believe I’m not the only person out there to do so, and much of my best learning was achieved via independent studies. […]

]]> By: candice http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-4815 candice Wed, 18 Oct 2006 20:27:33 +0000 http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-4815 Working off of the einstein qutoe, you can take this further, though. Some things that appear very different from each other at first generalize down to the same things but different trimmings. Stuff like programming languages, for example. With a few exceptions (the biggest being LISP) once you have used about five or six programming languages, you realize that they are all basically the same except for syntax, and whether you have to use objects or not. I learned C# in about an hour because I didn't have to learn the language, just remember vaguely java-like syntax and class structures, and Intellisense has all the class libraries at the end of my tab key. Perl I never remember the syntax for because it's all in perldoc and the libraries in CPAN. Then again, you might have to be a good programmer for all of this to work out, but I don't really think so. If you can't learn six languages you probably aren't a good programmer to start with. Working off of the einstein qutoe, you can take this further, though. Some things that appear very different from each other at first generalize down to the same things but different trimmings. Stuff like programming languages, for example. With a few exceptions (the biggest being LISP) once you have used about five or six programming languages, you realize that they are all basically the same except for syntax, and whether you have to use objects or not.

I learned C# in about an hour because I didn’t have to learn the language, just remember vaguely java-like syntax and class structures, and Intellisense has all the class libraries at the end of my tab key. Perl I never remember the syntax for because it’s all in perldoc and the libraries in CPAN.

Then again, you might have to be a good programmer for all of this to work out, but I don’t really think so. If you can’t learn six languages you probably aren’t a good programmer to start with.

]]> By: candice http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-101050 candice Wed, 18 Oct 2006 19:27:33 +0000 http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-101050 Working off of the einstein qutoe, you can take this further, though. Some things that appear very different from each other at first generalize down to the same things but different trimmings. Stuff like programming languages, for example. With a few exceptions (the biggest being LISP) once you have used about five or six programming languages, you realize that they are all basically the same except for syntax, and whether you have to use objects or not. I learned C# in about an hour because I didn't have to learn the language, just remember vaguely java-like syntax and class structures, and Intellisense has all the class libraries at the end of my tab key. Perl I never remember the syntax for because it's all in perldoc and the libraries in CPAN. Then again, you might have to be a good programmer for all of this to work out, but I don't really think so. If you can't learn six languages you probably aren't a good programmer to start with. Working off of the einstein qutoe, you can take this further, though. Some things that appear very different from each other at first generalize down to the same things but different trimmings. Stuff like programming languages, for example. With a few exceptions (the biggest being LISP) once you have used about five or six programming languages, you realize that they are all basically the same except for syntax, and whether you have to use objects or not. I learned C# in about an hour because I didn’t have to learn the language, just remember vaguely java-like syntax and class structures, and Intellisense has all the class libraries at the end of my tab key. Perl I never remember the syntax for because it’s all in perldoc and the libraries in CPAN. Then again, you might have to be a good programmer for all of this to work out, but I don’t really think so. If you can’t learn six languages you probably aren’t a good programmer to start with.

]]> By: links for 2006-10-17 « Ashish Kulkarni’s Journal http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-4760 links for 2006-10-17 « Ashish Kulkarni’s Journal Tue, 17 Oct 2006 22:49:07 +0000 http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-4760 [...] Knowing More By Knowing Less (or, How Do You Learn?) We can now know more by knowing less…imagination and understanding of concepts create value in today’s world. - Learn to effectively use tools that allow you to forget. - Free your mind to understand concepts. - Leverage concepts against each other. (tags: memory learning) [...] […] Knowing More By Knowing Less (or, How Do You Learn?) We can now know more by knowing less…imagination and understanding of concepts create value in today’s world. - Learn to effectively use tools that allow you to forget. - Free your mind to understand concepts. - Leverage concepts against each other. (tags: memory learning) […]

]]> By: Eric Olson http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-4735 Eric Olson Tue, 17 Oct 2006 15:00:42 +0000 http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-4735 Very interesting post Fraser. I have thought the same thing for a while now but more on the subconscious level. Now that you bring it to the surface it makes complete sense. Very interesting post Fraser. I have thought the same thing for a while now but more on the subconscious level. Now that you bring it to the surface it makes complete sense.

]]> By: Fraser http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-4729 Fraser Tue, 17 Oct 2006 14:05:46 +0000 http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-4729 I can see how the two, proposition and prescriptive, feed each other in a loop. For me, ideas seem to grow at some network growth rate connected to knowledge/experience (definitely not following Reed's law, but that would be nice!). Assume the mix of propositional knowledge and prescriptive knowledge sit as nodes on my knowledge network - the freely formed connections between the nodes (leveraging an understanding of a concept in one area to seemingly disconnected disciplines) is where I see myself creating the most value as a result from learning. The fact that you can find facts in seconds to flesh out the connection your knowledge network creates is the reason I think it's important to forget (as well as remember how to use the tools that enable forgetfulness) I can see how the two, proposition and prescriptive, feed each other in a loop.

For me, ideas seem to grow at some network growth rate connected to knowledge/experience (definitely not following Reed’s law, but that would be nice!).

Assume the mix of propositional knowledge and prescriptive knowledge sit as nodes on my knowledge network - the freely formed connections between the nodes (leveraging an understanding of a concept in one area to seemingly disconnected disciplines) is where I see myself creating the most value as a result from learning.

The fact that you can find facts in seconds to flesh out the connection your knowledge network creates is the reason I think it’s important to forget (as well as remember how to use the tools that enable forgetfulness)

]]> By: Eric Olson http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-101049 Eric Olson Tue, 17 Oct 2006 14:00:42 +0000 http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-101049 Very interesting post Fraser. I have thought the same thing for a while now but more on the subconscious level. Now that you bring it to the surface it makes complete sense. Very interesting post Fraser. I have thought the same thing for a while now but more on the subconscious level. Now that you bring it to the surface it makes complete sense.

]]> By: Fraser http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-4727 Fraser Tue, 17 Oct 2006 13:48:31 +0000 http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-4727 "Mokyr begins by dividing useful knowledge into two categories: “propositional knowledge” and “prescriptive knowledge”. Propositional knowledge is general, theoretical knowledge—for example, knowledge of the properties and effects of atmospheric pressure or knowledge of the theory of flight. Prescriptive knowledge is knowledge of technique—for example, how to build a steam engine or how to build a jet plane. According to Mokyr, economic growth springs in large part from institutions and norms that encourage an active, rational search for propositional knowledge and the use of such knowledge for the discovery of prescriptive knowledge." http://www.independent.org/publications/tir/article.asp?issueID=40&articleID=507 “The driving force behind progress was not just that more was known, but also that institutions and culture collaborated to create better and cheaper access to the knowledge base” [looks like a great read, I'm going to order it online - thanks for the pointer] “Mokyr begins by dividing useful knowledge into two categories: “propositional knowledge” and “prescriptive knowledge”. Propositional knowledge is general, theoretical knowledge—for example, knowledge of the properties and effects of atmospheric pressure or knowledge of the theory of flight. Prescriptive knowledge is knowledge of technique—for example, how to build a steam engine or how to build a jet plane. According to Mokyr, economic growth springs in large part from institutions and norms that encourage an active, rational search for propositional knowledge and the use of such knowledge for the discovery of prescriptive knowledge.”

http://www.independent.org/publications/tir/article.asp?issueID=40&articleID=507

“The driving force behind progress was not just that more was known, but also that institutions and culture collaborated to create better and cheaper access to the knowledge base”

[looks like a great read, I’m going to order it online - thanks for the pointer]

]]> By: Fraser http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-101048 Fraser Tue, 17 Oct 2006 13:05:46 +0000 http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-101048 I can see how the two, proposition and prescriptive, feed each other in a loop. For me, ideas seem to grow at some network growth rate connected to knowledge/experience (definitely not following Reed's law, but that would be nice!). Assume the mix of propositional knowledge and prescriptive knowledge sit as nodes on my knowledge network - the freely formed connections between the nodes (leveraging an understanding of a concept in one area to seemingly disconnected disciplines) is where I see myself creating the most value as a result from learning. The fact that you can find facts in seconds to flesh out the connection your knowledge network creates is the reason I think it's important to forget (as well as remember how to use the tools that enable forgetfulness) I can see how the two, proposition and prescriptive, feed each other in a loop. For me, ideas seem to grow at some network growth rate connected to knowledge/experience (definitely not following Reed’s law, but that would be nice!). Assume the mix of propositional knowledge and prescriptive knowledge sit as nodes on my knowledge network - the freely formed connections between the nodes (leveraging an understanding of a concept in one area to seemingly disconnected disciplines) is where I see myself creating the most value as a result from learning. The fact that you can find facts in seconds to flesh out the connection your knowledge network creates is the reason I think it’s important to forget (as well as remember how to use the tools that enable forgetfulness)

]]> By: Fraser http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-101047 Fraser Tue, 17 Oct 2006 12:48:31 +0000 http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-101047 "Mokyr begins by dividing useful knowledge into two categories: “propositional knowledge” and “prescriptive knowledge”. Propositional knowledge is general, theoretical knowledge—for example, knowledge of the properties and effects of atmospheric pressure or knowledge of the theory of flight. Prescriptive knowledge is knowledge of technique—for example, how to build a steam engine or how to build a jet plane. According to Mokyr, economic growth springs in large part from institutions and norms that encourage an active, rational search for propositional knowledge and the use of such knowledge for the discovery of prescriptive knowledge."<a href="http://www.independent.org/publications/tir/article.asp?issueID=40&articleID=507 " rel="nofollow">http://www.independent.org/publications/tir/artic...</a> “The driving force behind progress was not just that more was known, but also that institutions and culture collaborated to create better and cheaper access to the knowledge base” [looks like a great read, I'm going to order it online - thanks for the pointer] “Mokyr begins by dividing useful knowledge into two categories: “propositional knowledge” and “prescriptive knowledge”. Propositional knowledge is general, theoretical knowledge—for example, knowledge of the properties and effects of atmospheric pressure or knowledge of the theory of flight. Prescriptive knowledge is knowledge of technique—for example, how to build a steam engine or how to build a jet plane. According to Mokyr, economic growth springs in large part from institutions and norms that encourage an active, rational search for propositional knowledge and the use of such knowledge for the discovery of prescriptive knowledge.”http://www.independent.org/publications/tir/artic… “The driving force behind progress was not just that more was known, but also that institutions and culture collaborated to create better and cheaper access to the knowledge base” [looks like a great read, I’m going to order it online - thanks for the pointer]

]]> By: Dean http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-4710 Dean Tue, 17 Oct 2006 06:50:01 +0000 http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-4710 The physicist in me likes the idea of focusing on reusable prescriptive knowledge. However, an interesting feedback mechanism exists between the more mundane propositional knowledge and the prescriptive stuff. Joel Mokyr does a great job explaining how these feed each other in his book "The Gifts of Athena". For me, the more experience and knowledge I gain, the more hangars I have for new stuff. The physicist in me likes the idea of focusing on reusable prescriptive knowledge. However, an interesting feedback mechanism exists between the more mundane propositional knowledge and the prescriptive stuff. Joel Mokyr does a great job explaining how these feed each other in his book “The Gifts of Athena”. For me, the more experience and knowledge I gain, the more hangars I have for new stuff.

]]> By: Dean http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-101046 Dean Tue, 17 Oct 2006 05:50:01 +0000 http://disruptivethoughts.com/2006/10/16/knowing-more-by-knowing-less-or-how-do-you-learn/#comment-101046 The physicist in me likes the idea of focusing on reusable prescriptive knowledge. However, an interesting feedback mechanism exists between the more mundane propositional knowledge and the prescriptive stuff. Joel Mokyr does a great job explaining how these feed each other in his book "The Gifts of Athena". For me, the more experience and knowledge I gain, the more hangars I have for new stuff. The physicist in me likes the idea of focusing on reusable prescriptive knowledge. However, an interesting feedback mechanism exists between the more mundane propositional knowledge and the prescriptive stuff. Joel Mokyr does a great job explaining how these feed each other in his book “The Gifts of Athena”. For me, the more experience and knowledge I gain, the more hangars I have for new stuff.

]]>