Hello, I’m a math-cs undergrad and aspiring effective altruist, but I haven’t chosen a cause yet. Since that decision is probably one of the most important ones, I should probably wait until I’ve become stronger.
To that end, I’ve read the Sequences (as well as HPMOR), and I would like to attend a CFAR workshop or similar at some point in the future. I think one of my problems is that I don’t actually think that much about what I read. Do you have any advice on that?
Also, there are a couple of LWers in my college with whom I have met twice, and we would like to start organising meetups regularly. Would you please give me some karma so that I can add new meetups? (I promise I will make up for it with good contributions)
try rewriting what you have read or teaching it to other people. This will help you feel like you understand it better and go back and re-learn what you might have missed. See also: Feynman notebook method.
I find reflecting much more cognitively demanding than reading, so if there is a ‘next post’ button or similar, I tend to keep reading.
Also, sometimes when I try to actually think about the subject, it’s difficult to come up with original ideas. I often find myself explaining or convincing an imaginary person, instead of trying to see it with fresh eyes. This is something I noticed after reading the corresponding Sequence.
I guess establishing an habit of commenting would help me solve these problems.
Hello, I’m a math-cs undergrad and aspiring effective altruist, but I haven’t chosen a cause yet. Since that decision is probably one of the most important ones, I should probably wait until I’ve become stronger.
To that end, I’ve read the Sequences (as well as HPMOR), and I would like to attend a CFAR workshop or similar at some point in the future. I think one of my problems is that I don’t actually think that much about what I read. Do you have any advice on that?
Also, there are a couple of LWers in my college with whom I have met twice, and we would like to start organising meetups regularly. Would you please give me some karma so that I can add new meetups? (I promise I will make up for it with good contributions)
Thanks!
try rewriting what you have read or teaching it to other people. This will help you feel like you understand it better and go back and re-learn what you might have missed. See also: Feynman notebook method.
Do you mean that you don’t put much thought into deciding what to read, or that when you read something you don’t reflect on it?
I don’t reflect on it. This happens in two ways:
I find reflecting much more cognitively demanding than reading, so if there is a ‘next post’ button or similar, I tend to keep reading.
Also, sometimes when I try to actually think about the subject, it’s difficult to come up with original ideas. I often find myself explaining or convincing an imaginary person, instead of trying to see it with fresh eyes. This is something I noticed after reading the corresponding Sequence.
I guess establishing an habit of commenting would help me solve these problems.
karma awarded.
Thank you!