The Case for Sharing Your Work in Public & Tools for Better Reading

The Case for Sharing Your Work in Public & Tools for Better Reading

In today's digital age, where information is readily available at our fingertips, the act of reading remains the most efficient way to absorb knowledge. However, it's interesting to note that reading, a practice invented 5400 years ago along with writing, has undergone little change since its inception. The average person reads at a rate of 250 words per minute (wpm), and while this may seem impressive, it begs the question: can we improve our reading skills and enhance our overall learning experience?

One way to upgrade our reading abilities is by adopting the concept of social reading. This emerging trend allows individuals to share their reading progress, insights, and thoughts with others, creating a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about the same topics. By becoming a documentarian of what you do, as Austin Kleon, author of Show Your Work, suggests, you not only reflect on your own progress but also connect with others in a transparent community.

Sharing your work in public offers numerous benefits. Firstly, it allows for self-reflection and the opportunity to plan your next steps. By putting your work out there, you can receive valuable feedback and insights from others, which can help you iterate and improve your ideas. Additionally, sharing your work in public can help you connect the dots between your ideas and those of others. Great ideas often emerge from the network of information within a transparent community, and by sharing your ideas, you increase the likelihood of making these connections.

Furthermore, sharing your work in public enables you to connect with individuals who share similar interests. This can lead to finding mentors who can guide you on your journey or even result in valuable partnerships. Being part of an online group or attending offline meetups can help you find the people who care about the same things you do and foster meaningful connections.

While sharing your work in public may initially feel uncomfortable, it is important to remember that it should not derail you from actually doing the work. When done properly and integrated into your workflow, sharing your work can actually boost productivity and creativity. It becomes a natural part of the process, and working in a vacuum feels strange.

Incorporating the tools and techniques of social reading can also enhance your reading experience. By utilizing platforms like Glasp, you can connect with curators who act as filters, guiding you towards valuable and insightful content. This allows you to optimize your reading time and delve into materials that are most relevant to your interests.

To upgrade your reading skills, it is essential to adopt different reading approaches. Mortimer Adler, in his meta-book "How to Read a Book," introduces three types of reading: inspectional reading, analytical reading, and synoptical reading. By diversifying your reading methods, you can approach texts with a more comprehensive and critical mindset.

In conclusion, sharing your work in public and embracing the tools for better reading can revolutionize your learning experience. By connecting with a community of individuals who share your passions and interests, you not only gain valuable insights but also foster meaningful relationships. Remember to find the people who care, connect with them, and share your work in a way that complements your workflow. Lastly, don't forget to upgrade your reading skills by incorporating various techniques and approaches. By combining these strategies, you can unlock your full potential and embark on a journey of continuous growth and development.