Want to learn about Roman history? Have a desire to wrap your mind around astrophysics? Is your ongoing learning inhibited by bad memories of school learning, aka kid prison?
Don’t fret, there is a way to break down a subject, and learn it to a level at which you can discuss it intelligently.
In scientific studies, there is something called a meta-analysis where multiple reports or studies of a particular subject are synthesized into one new study. I’ve adapted this into the meta study which allows you to tackle a particular topic.
Step 1: Define Limits
This is the hard part where you have think a little bit. Here’s where you survey your subject of interest and define some limits. Any subject, whether history or health, or anything you can think of, is a bottomless pit of specializations. You’ll need a manageable bite. What in history do you want to study? Roman Empire? Divide this into time periods: Early Rome, Imperial Rome, Decline of Rome. Health your subject? What part of health? Proper human diet? Okay, determine what people are claiming are potential, proper human diets.
Step 2: Pick Sources
There are thousands, so you cannot read them all. Search out some of the most current and respected sources. There are some pitfalls here, because simply because something is popular, doesn’t make it true or valuable. Also, you cannot bring in your a priori bias in picking materials. Approach any subject as an independent researcher as if you have no knowledge of what you are about to study. Some topics may require you to read sources that have contrary conclusions.
Note: I default to books because of their depth of information and accessibility. These should be the core of your studies, but other sources such as interviews and documentaries are also useful.
Step 3: Start Reading
Once you have your initial books (you will likely need more), begin reading, but keep these items in mind:
- Take note of any things you come across you want to learn more about. That is, save these rabbit trails for later. Back in our Roman history example, you’ll run across many events, people, etc., that many volumes have been written providing much more detail. Stay on point for now.
- Watch for the saturation point. When your readings start becoming repetitive with not a lot of new material, you have reached a strong point of understanding of your subject.
- Explore some of those interesting items which you took note of until you reach understanding with them as well.
How do you really know if you have reached some level of mastery of your subject? Do you understand “experts,” real or otherwise, when they speak on the subject? Are you able to ask questions, detect discrepancies, while you or someone else is discussing the topic? Can you discuss the topic easily?
Realize there are people who spend a lifetime specializing in a topic, whether in formal or informal settings. You could get there, but your goal here is to understand subject, be intelligent in speaking about it, and not necessarily knowing every last detail.
Step 4: Maintenance Phase
Once you’ve reached a comfortable level of understanding there are a couple of actions to undertake. Look through all of your resources and keep the best of the best. That is, remove any that are repetitive, not as engaging, or as current. Secondly, check back every so often for new resources that are released. Some topics are very dynamic in new information, others are more static.
Good luck on your journey of learning. Be a time traveler in history, take control of your health, or travel the universe.
Whatever trail you choose, be prepared for some amazing, or startling, discoveries.
Darrick Dean 