"Lessons on Lifelong Learning From Einstein And Feynman (How to Acquire Skills For Life)"

"Lessons on Lifelong Learning From Einstein And Feynman (How to Acquire Skills For Life)"

The most successful people are learners for life. Lifelong learning means maintaining your curiosity and aiming to be smarter today than you were yesterday. You can rely on a few sources of knowledge to feed your mind every day. Einstein famously said, “Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.” It’s literally the best way to explain lifelong learning.

Imagine taking that daily learning process into your own hands and choosing what you want to learn deliberately. “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” — Confucius. And you will remember a lot of what you learn in the future if you figure things out for yourself. The pleasure of enlightenment is one of my biggest motivations for choosing new topics and learning new things. The motivation for learning takes you on the best journey possible.

Einstein said, “A true genius admits that he/she knows nothing.” Ignorance is the beginning of authentic wisdom. The moment you think you’ve arrived, you stop growing. “It is our capacity to doubt that will determine the future of civilization.” Genuinely successful people acknowledge their ignorance and take action to learn and discover new things.

Learning compounds, so you don’t have to commit a lot of time learning a new skill or topic. You can learn at your own pace.

"Foursquareの本質とは何なのか | interest_ae"

Foursquareの本質はゲームではない。新規ユーザを取り込むためにバッジといった「ゲーミフィケーション」を設けているのは呼びこみの一つに過ぎない。バッジ目的でFoursquareをしても、早晩頭打ちになる。

ユーザがFoursquareを使う大きなメリットの一つは、ライフログであり、それは個人のビッグデータである。バッジを集めるためにわざわざ外出するという動機付けのもとに頑張っている人もいることは確かですが、多くの人はそうではないでしょう。後述の「位置ゲー」企業の中の一部は、自治体などとタイアップして観光誘導などで成功している例もありますが、Foursquareはそういうことを直近では行わないと思います。不正チェックインは論外です。

ユーザの目的の一つは「同報通信」的目的があるでしょう。Twitterの「○○なう」の代わりにFoursquareを使う人です。私もそれを実践して、カフェにいたら私に会いたい後輩がやってきたという出会いがありました。位置情報を公開する事のリスクばかりが取り沙汰されますが、一定のプライバシールールを意識することで、有用な出会いのツールになるのではないかと思います。

もう一つ、これが重要なのですが、ライフログ的使い方があります。FoursquareはiCalなどのフィードもしていて、いつどこに行ったのかという情報を後から振り返る機能をいくつも提供しています。GoogleカレンダーにiCalファイルを登録すると、何年も前のチェックイン情報を振り返ることができます。これが数年分たまると、とても興味深い自分のライフログ・個人版ビッグデータとなるのです。 Foursquareの本質とは何なのか (note: Foursquareの本質はGamificationではない。Gamificationが動機になるのは一定数のユーザーのみ。現在は、他人に自分の居場所を教える、ライフログとして使うユーザーに刺さっていると考えられている。では、最初のユーザーはどのように獲得したのか？).

When we look at the essence of Foursquare, we realize that it is not just a game. While it may have incorporated elements of "gamification" like badges to attract new users, these are just one aspect of its appeal. Relying solely on collecting badges in Foursquare will eventually reach a plateau.

One of the significant benefits of using Foursquare for users is the concept of lifelogging, which essentially becomes their personal big data. While some individuals may be motivated to go out specifically to collect badges, many others use it differently. Some companies in the "location-based gaming" industry have successfully partnered with local governments for tourism promotion, but Foursquare may not be heading in that direction in the near future. Unauthorized check-ins are out of the question.

One of the purposes for users is to use Foursquare as a form of "broadcast communication." Instead of using Twitter's "currently at" format, they choose to use Foursquare. I have personally experienced this when a junior colleague, who wanted to meet me, found me at a café. While there is a lot of discussion about the risks of sharing location information, I believe that by being aware of certain privacy rules, it can become a useful tool for meaningful encounters.

Another important aspect is the use of Foursquare as a lifelog. Foursquare provides feeds, such as iCal, that allow users to review their check-in information and reflect on where they have been. By registering the iCal file in Google Calendar, you can look back on check-in information from years ago. As this data accumulates over time, it becomes an intriguing personal lifelog or personal version of big data.

From these two seemingly unrelated sources, we can draw some common points. Both Einstein and Feynman emphasized the importance of lifelong learning and acquiring knowledge. They acknowledged that true wisdom comes from recognizing one's ignorance and continuously seeking to learn and discover new things. This aligns with the idea that learning should commence at birth and cease only at death, as Einstein famously stated.

Additionally, both Foursquare and lifelong learning involve the concept of self-improvement. Foursquare allows users to choose what they want to learn and experience, whether it's exploring new places or meeting new people. Similarly, lifelong learning encourages individuals to take control of their learning journey and pursue topics of interest deliberately.

In conclusion, lifelong learning is a powerful concept that can be applied to various aspects of life, including acquiring new skills, expanding knowledge, and personal growth. To embrace lifelong learning, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Embrace curiosity: Maintain a mindset of curiosity and a thirst for knowledge. Be open to new ideas and experiences, and actively seek opportunities to learn and grow.

2. Embrace ignorance: Recognize that there is always more to learn and that true wisdom comes from acknowledging our ignorance. Don't be afraid to ask questions, seek guidance, and challenge your own beliefs.

3. Embrace reflection: Take the time to reflect on what you've learned and how it has impacted your life. Reflecting on your experiences allows you to gain deeper insights and make connections between different areas of knowledge.

By incorporating these practices into your daily life, you can become a lifelong learner and continually acquire skills for life. Remember, learning compounds over time, so even small efforts can lead to significant growth and development.

So, let's embrace the lessons from Einstein and Feynman, as well as the insights from Foursquare, and embark on a journey of lifelong learning. The world is full of knowledge and experiences waiting to be discovered, and it is up to us to seize the opportunity and become smarter today than we were yesterday.