The Self Destructive Nature of Humans: Why Smart People Do Stupid Things

The Self Destructive Nature of Humans: Why Smart People Do Stupid Things

"The more you schedule and practice discomfort deliberately, the less unplanned discomfort will throw off your life and control your life." This insightful quote from Tim Ferris raises an interesting point about the self-destructive nature of humans. Despite our intelligence and abilities, we often find ourselves making foolish decisions and engaging in self-sabotaging behavior.

One area where this self-destructive nature is evident is in our approach to reading. Reading, invented 5400 years ago along with writing, has remained relatively unchanged in terms of technique. The average person reads at a speed of 250 words per minute (wpm), a rate that has not significantly improved over the centuries. However, reading is still the most efficient way to absorb information.

In his book "How to Read a Book," Mortimer Adler explores different approaches to reading. He introduces the concepts of inspectional reading, analytical reading, and synoptical reading, each offering unique benefits in terms of comprehension and retention. These techniques provide valuable tools for better reading and can help us avoid the self-destructive behavior of skimming through information without truly understanding it.

Additionally, the rise of social reading plugins and platforms has revolutionized the way we consume and engage with content. Glasp curators, for example, act as filters, recommending relevant and high-quality articles, books, and resources to readers. This social reading trend is only in its early stages, and it is likely to continue growing as more people recognize the value of collective intelligence and shared knowledge.

In light of these insights, here are three actionable pieces of advice to overcome our self-destructive tendencies and become better readers:

1. Embrace discomfort: As Tim Ferris suggests, deliberately scheduling and practicing discomfort can help us develop discipline and resilience. Applying this mindset to reading, challenge yourself to tackle difficult texts or genres outside of your comfort zone. The more you expose yourself to challenging material, the better your reading skills will become.

2. Adopt a systematic reading approach: Instead of passively skimming through content, take the time to employ inspectional, analytical, or synoptical reading techniques. By using these methods, you can extract more value from the material you read, enhancing comprehension and retention.

3. Engage with the social reading community: Take advantage of social reading platforms and plugins that connect you with like-minded individuals and provide curated recommendations. By participating in discussions, sharing insights, and seeking recommendations from others, you can broaden your perspective and deepen your understanding of various subjects.

In conclusion, our self-destructive nature as humans often leads us to make foolish decisions and engage in counterproductive behavior. However, by applying the principles of deliberate discomfort, adopting systematic reading approaches, and engaging with the social reading community, we can overcome these tendencies and become better readers. Reading, as one of the oldest and most efficient ways of acquiring knowledge, deserves our attention and effort to ensure we make the most of this valuable skill.