Upgrading 5400 Years Old Tech: Tools for Better Reading and Strategy Decisions

Upgrading 5400 Years Old Tech: Tools for Better Reading and Strategy Decisions

Reading, a skill invented 5400 years ago along with writing, has remained relatively unchanged ever since. Despite the advancements in technology and the digital age, reading continues to be the most efficient way to absorb information. With the average person reading at a speed of 250 words per minute (wpm), it is clear that there is room for improvement in this ancient practice.

Mortimer Adler, in his meta-book "How to Read a Book", introduces us to different reading techniques that can enhance our reading experience. These techniques include inspectional reading, analytical reading, and synoptical reading. Each technique provides a unique approach to reading, allowing readers to extract more value from the text.

In the digital age, social reading has emerged as a popular trend. Social reading plugins, such as Glasp curators, act as filters, helping readers find relevant and high-quality content. This trend is here to stay and is only expected to grow in the future. By leveraging the collective knowledge and insights of a community, social reading opens up new possibilities for learning and understanding.

When it comes to making strategic decisions, Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, offers valuable insights. His first principle is speed. Hoffman believes that speed is essential for startups, emphasizing the need to ship products quickly and iterate based on user feedback. However, for big companies like LinkedIn, where speed battles are not their forte, Hoffman suggests developing strategies where their slowness can become a strength.

Simplicity is Hoffman's second principle for strategy decisions. By distilling and framing options with simplicity, leaders can facilitate group decision-making processes. Hoffman often categorizes options into "light, medium, heavy" or "easy, medium, hard", providing clarity and focus. By seeking a single decisive reason to pursue an action, leaders can avoid getting caught up in a complex list of pros and cons.

In conclusion, upgrading reading techniques and adopting strategic decision-making principles can greatly improve our ability to absorb information and make effective choices. To enhance reading skills, it is important to explore different techniques and leverage social reading platforms. For strategic decision-making, speed and simplicity are key. By embracing these principles, individuals and organizations can navigate the ever-changing landscape with confidence.

Actionable advice:

1. Explore different reading techniques such as inspectional reading, analytical reading, and synoptical reading to enhance your reading experience and extract more value from the text.
2. Embrace social reading platforms and utilize social reading plugins like Glasp curators to find relevant and high-quality content recommended by a community of readers.
3. Apply Reid Hoffman's principles of speed and simplicity to your strategic decision-making process. Seek to ship products quickly and iterate based on user feedback, and distill options into simple categories to facilitate group decision-making.

Remember, reading is an ancient practice, but with the right tools and strategies, we can upgrade it to meet the demands of the modern world.