Knowledge acquisition by deconstruction?

[Lohkye]

I was pretty impressed with Tim's "How to Learn (But Not Master) Any Language in 1 Hour" blog post and my interest was peaked again over his new TV show. Does anyone recommend any resources or have any guidelines concerning knowledge acquisition? The idea of deconstructing a skill or a set of law in a body of knowledge is almost too vague, does anyone have a clearer definition of what "deconstruction" is and how it can be applied to other skills? Can't wait for Thursday.

[clanshrapnel]

My understanding is 'deconstruction' means to break down a process into a system. This also means finding similarities between similar processes and applying system modules from 1 system to another.

For instance, Korean and Japanese both use verbs at the very end of the sentence. With this 'insight' into their similarities, one could attempt to learn Korean and Japanese 1 after another to leverage off of this similarity (thus speeding up the process, rather than learning English followed by Japanese). On a larger scale, learning languages have similarities (as opposed to learning how to build a mud house vs. learning how to play poker).

If your mind can take a process, break it down to parts that you can understand (possibly from seeing similarities to other processes you have done before), and ensure the process breakdown is comprehensive, then you've just done a deconstruction.

There's nothing simple about it, and I'd imagine you have to learn a variety of different processes in order to see the larger picture.

You can research this topic further under the term meta-learning.

[sub8hr]

Easy, identify the subject you want to learn, pick up an introductory book on it and read it looking for principles rather than specific steps.

The blog and TV show promo make a big deal about being a "lifehacker" and deconstructing things, but really all he's doing is ignoring, or at least putting secondary the myriad rules that correspond to the few critical principles. Any activity has a few basic principles that if you keep straight will keep you on the right track.

On a note about learning languages. I've done just that, learned Japanese first and then Korean afterwards. There are a whole bunch of easy transliterations that once you get the basic swing of Korean you can just start making stuff up based on Japanese and be right most of the time. On the other hand I've also tried learning Chinese and it's like... well, learning Chinese in the popular difficult sense. It's certainly doable, any 4 year old kid in China can speak the language, but the barriers to entry are a lot higher than other languages because of tones (at least for non-tonal language speakers) and the lack of a phonetic writing script (many rules, few "principles" figuratively speaking). Though also after learning Japanese, you can somewhat read Chinese because of the overlap in script.

[Mungo]

Hi, I realise this post is old now, but this skill is someting I'd like to nail down.

I mean, taking a subject, getting an overview, critically analysing/deconstructing it, and homing in on a few key areas in order to reach a reasonable level of competance (rather than mastery) in a short space of time. e.g. enough kung fu to win a fight with a drunk person, or enough italian to go to italy alone for two weeks and get by just fine, or anything else.

clanshrapnel and sub8hr have hit on some principles, but has anyone come across (or devised) an actual framework or process to do this? I'd love to hear from anyone who has done any work on this kind of thing.

It's something that I'm currently looking at and thinking about quite intensely just now. If/when I come to a conclusion or find any resources I will post details.

[Mungo]

These are my thoughts (should anyone be interested) on self teaching any skill or subject.

1. For a given subject, come up with some specific learning goals. The goals will help you stay focussed, but be prepared to be flexible as time goes on and new information comes to light.
• What is the purpose of learning about it?
• What will the final outcome of the learning process be? What do you wish to gain?
• How will the knowledge be used?

2. Ideally find a role model, and talk to them, what are the key points that will bring success or a good understanding?
• Otherwise, find a good book by a respected authority on the subject, read blogs, listen to podcasts, find youtube vids, TV programmes, websites, forums.
• Elicit or deduce the methodology of the chosen authority. Deduce what is most relevant, i.e. the key points or critical success factors.

3. When studying a subject use efficient study techniques.
• Work out your preferred style of learning e.g. visual, verbal, sequential, global etc.
• Use SQ3R, speed reading, mindmapping, and concept diagrams etc to take in, store and consider info.

4. Perform 80/20 analysis of the amassed info (maybe early in the study process, and again towards the end; when an overview of the concepts involved is formed more clearly).
• Can efficiencies be made to allow the most salient points then be homed in on quickly?
• Can a simple pattern be followed and repeated for learning the core skills?

5. Reflect on what you’ve found out.
• Experiment without fear of failure.
• Discuss with others (in person, on online forums etc).
• Critically analyse the information you’ve found, can the received assumptions be questioned?
• Review and refine learning your strategy frequently.
• Use every visual and/or memory aid available to get the concepts.

6. Do long tail analysis – when is enough enough for your purposes with a subject?

It probably helps to have an awareness of good study practices, time management, some self knowledge about learning styles and your own strengths and weaknesses.

Mr Ferris seems to get in contact with experts when he wants to learn anything, e.g. BJ Penn for martial arts say, or Warren Buffet, and finds out what he needs to know from them. Then studies and practices intensely over a relatively short time until he can meet some kind of challenge e.g. break a Tango world record; enter a martial arts contest in China, or whatever.

However, he does seem to use text books and training DVDs etc – e.g. to learn to swim properly. There’s a bit of a knack to finding the best materials and then making the best of them.

He also seems to be part of a group entrepreneurial movers and shakers (e.g. Kevin Rose and others) who form a network and presumably swap ideas and information and do their best to be ahead of the game. I think this network allows him to brainstorm, experiment, pick up new ideas, and find further contacts. Contacts bring further opportunities.

He appears to have very good social skills, yet be self contained (in a way), certain about what he wants and confident enough to either go get it or ask for help from the best available person. And also focussed and sharp enough to pursue his interests/passions with almost ruthless efficiency.

(Note this is mostly guess work, but based on what I've seen or heard)

[Tangelo]

Mungo -- I think you made a good analysis of the process. Thanks.