Upgrading 5400 years old tech: tools for better reading and similarities to how the brain works

Upgrading 5400 years old tech: tools for better reading and similarities to how the brain works

Reading has been an integral part of human civilization for over 5400 years. Invented alongside writing, reading has remained largely unchanged throughout centuries. However, with the advent of technology and artificial intelligence, we now have the opportunity to enhance our reading experience and gain a deeper understanding of how our brains process information.

One of the key aspects of reading is the speed at which we can absorb information. The average person reads at a rate of 250 words per minute (wpm). This rate has remained relatively constant over time, but can we improve it? The meta-book "How to Read a Book" by Mortimer Adler introduces different reading techniques such as inspectional reading, analytical reading, and synoptical reading. These techniques help us to read more efficiently and extract the most important information from the text.

In the world of artificial intelligence, researchers have made significant progress in developing self-taught AI models that mimic the way our brains work. These models, known as large language models, learn the syntactic structure of language without the need for external labels or supervision. They are trained with massive amounts of text data and can predict the next word in a sentence based on the context provided. This self-supervised learning approach is reminiscent of how animals, including humans, explore their environment and gain a deep understanding of the world.

The concept of self-supervised learning algorithms, which create gaps in the data and ask the neural network to fill in the blanks, mirrors how our brains continually predict future outcomes. Our visual system, for example, has two specialized pathways because they help us predict the visual future. This highlights the complexity of the brain and the need for more sophisticated models to truly understand its function.

In the realm of reading, there is a growing trend towards social reading plugins. These plugins act as filters, curating content based on the preferences and recommendations of other readers. This social reading trend is gaining popularity and shows no signs of slowing down. By leveraging the collective intelligence of a community, social reading plugins can enhance our reading experience and expose us to new perspectives and ideas.

So, how can we upgrade our reading experience and take advantage of these advancements? Here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Embrace different reading techniques: Experiment with inspectional reading, analytical reading, and synoptical reading to find the approach that works best for you. These techniques can help you read more efficiently and extract the most important information from the text.

2. Explore social reading plugins: Install a social reading plugin that aligns with your interests and preferences. By connecting with like-minded readers and leveraging their recommendations, you can discover new books and expand your knowledge in various domains.

3. Stay updated on AI advancements: Keep an eye on the latest developments in AI and self-supervised learning algorithms. Understanding how these models mimic the brain's functioning can provide insights into how we learn and process information. It may also inspire new reading tools and technologies in the future.

In conclusion, while reading as a technology may be thousands of years old, it is far from stagnant. With the advent of AI and self-supervised learning algorithms, we have the opportunity to enhance our reading experience and gain a deeper understanding of how our brains process information. By incorporating different reading techniques and embracing social reading plugins, we can optimize our reading speed and expand our knowledge base. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more exciting advancements in the field of reading.