The Power of Learning in Public and the Role of Collective Intelligence

The Power of Learning in Public and the Role of Collective Intelligence

Learning in public is a concept that goes against our natural instincts. We are often afraid of being judged, which leads us to build, learn, and think privately. However, seeking validation should not be the goal of learning in public. Instead, the goal should be to tap into the collective intelligence of our network and create constructive feedback loops. By working on a project we own and sharing our progress, we can learn publicly and track our learning progress effectively.

Keeping a public log of what we build is a powerful way to document our journey and showcase our growth. As Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn, once said, "If you are not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you've launched too late." This quote highlights the importance of embracing imperfection and being open to learning from our mistakes. Learning in public can be scary for many reasons. People may find and cling to outdated information, and users are exposing their knowledge during a vulnerable time in the project when they don't yet have all the answers. However, it is during this phase that learning becomes most valuable.

One remarkable example of collective intelligence is the story of Alexandra Elbakyan, the creator of Sci-Hub. Despite its controversial legal status, Sci-Hub is a brilliant tool that removes barriers to human knowledge development. In 2016, Alexandra was sued by Elsevier, a publishing giant that releases hundreds of thousands of articles in various journals every year. Nature even included her as the "Paper Pirate" in their top ten people that mattered in science list. Currently in hiding due to the risk of extradition, Alexandra continues to pursue a Master's degree in Philosophy of Science in an undisclosed location. The concept behind Sci-Hub is to connect one brain to another using research papers as a medium. It acknowledges that our brain is nothing more than billions of neurons constantly communicating with each other, and our consciousness emerges from this intricate network.

This idea of connecting brains and sharing knowledge resonates with my own journey. In 2012, I embarked on a Masters program in Public Administration and Governance. My goal was to get into the government and work towards fixing laws that hinder the free distribution of information on the Internet, such as copyright laws. These laws often restrict access to academic papers and books that could greatly benefit society. It is crucial to recognize the importance of fixing such laws and promoting the free flow of knowledge.

In conclusion, learning in public and leveraging collective intelligence can be transformative experiences. By embracing imperfection, sharing our progress, and seeking feedback from our network, we can accelerate our learning and growth. Three actionable advice to incorporate into your own learning journey are: