How Did Humans Get Smart? Building an Antilibrary: The Power of Unread Books

How Did Humans Get Smart? Building an Antilibrary: The Power of Unread Books

In observing other people's actions and registered thoughts, we learn from the environment we're inserted in. What you hear, what you read, the things you go through...they all shape your future decisions, as well as what you choose to do with the information you receive. Humans are smart, but they can get smarter if they wish. The bottom line is: each person responds differently to situations depending on how their brain is wired. That's why we all have different opinions and beliefs. Humans need different upbringings and experiences to keep the knowledge wheels turning. Besides, humans need to keep looking up to other humans. Again, human intelligence has never improved on its own, and it never will. Human intelligence has never improved on its own. Through the ages, humans got smarter not only by observing other humans, but by refuting them, agreeing with them, and reaching their own conclusions based on a number of factors. Those include their upbringing and the situations they've encountered throughout their lives.

But how can we continue to expand our knowledge and intelligence? One powerful tool is building an antilibrary. Tsundoku (積ん読) is a beautiful Japanese word describing the habit of acquiring books but letting them pile up without reading them. Unread books can be as powerful as the ones we have read if we choose to consider them in the right light. To put it simply, an antilibrary is a private collection of unread books. The concept was first mentioned by Lebanese-American scholar and author Nassim Nicholas Taleb in his book The Black Swan, where he describes the unique relationship Italian writer Umberto Eco had with books: "Read books are far less valuable than unread ones. The library should contain as much of what you do not know as your financial means, mortgage rates, and the currently tight real-estate market allows you to put there. Indeed, the more you know, the larger the rows of unread books. Let us call this collection of unread books an antilibrary." The goal of an antilibrary is not to collect books you have read so you can proudly display them on your shelf; instead, it is to curate a highly personal collection of resources around themes you are curious about. An antilibrary is an ode to everything you want to explore.

"Thoroughly conscious ignorance is the prelude to every real advance in science." An antilibrary is a reminder of everything we don't know. Whether in a private or a public library, being surrounded by books we haven't read yet—in the case of Umberto Eco, too many books to read in a lifetime—is a humbling experience. "We tend to treat our knowledge as personal property to be protected and defended. It is an ornament that allows us to rise in the pecking order. So this tendency to offend Eco's library sensibility by focusing on the known is a human bias that extends to our mental operations. Make notes of all relevant references. Ask fellow readers for recommendations. Allow for serendipity. Do not expect the proportion of unread books to decrease. Improve your relationship with knowledge. Whatever its size—from a couple of books to thousands of them—an antilibrary creates a humble relationship with knowledge.

In a world where nuanced thinking is needed more than ever, an antilibrary is a much-needed tool for thought.

So, how can we harness the power of both observing others and building an antilibrary to further enhance our intelligence? Here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Embrace diversity: Surround yourself with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. By engaging in conversations and observing their actions, you can gain valuable insights and broaden your understanding of the world. This diversity will challenge your own beliefs and stimulate your intellectual growth.

2. Curate your antilibrary: Instead of solely focusing on books you have already read, actively seek out books that introduce new ideas, topics, and perspectives. Create a collection of unread books that represents your curiosity and desire to explore. Treat your antilibrary as a source of inspiration and a reminder of the vast knowledge that awaits you.

3. Actively engage with your antilibrary: Don't let your unread books simply gather dust on the shelves. Take the time to browse through them, make notes, and reflect on the topics they cover. Use them as a starting point for further research and exploration. Embrace the serendipity that comes with an antilibrary and allow yourself to be surprised by the knowledge you uncover.

In conclusion, human intelligence is not a static attribute but rather a continuous process of growth and development. By observing others and actively engaging with the knowledge that surrounds us, we can expand our understanding of the world and become smarter individuals. Building an antilibrary is a powerful tool in this process, as it reminds us of the vast amount of knowledge that we have yet to explore. Embrace diversity, curate your antilibrary, and actively engage with its contents. Through these actions, we can unlock our full intellectual potential and continue to evolve as intelligent beings.