Designing a better reading experience with Matter: Memory & Learning Breakthrough

Designing a better reading experience with Matter: Memory & Learning Breakthrough

In today's digital age, reading online has become a multi-faceted process. From deciding what to read, actually reading the content, to what we do with the knowledge gained afterwards, there are several behaviors involved. As avid users of read-it-later apps, we recognized that the first generation of these apps lacked certain smart features like prioritization, resurfacing, and decay. This realization led us to create Matter, a platform that aims to enhance the reading experience.

One of the key factors when deciding what to read is trust. People trust other people's recommendations, which is why we made the conscious decision to elevate writers as first-class citizens in our system. Good curation is incredibly valuable, as it helps us discover hidden gems that might be overlooked by engagement-based algorithms. By prioritizing quality over quantity, we aim to provide a better reading experience.

While staying up to date with the latest news is important, we believe that the bias towards new content is too strong. The vast majority of the best content ever produced was not written in the past week. We want to serve as a counterweight to this bias and ensure that users have access to timeless and valuable content. We are constantly working on finding ways to deliver relevant and manageable content to our users.

One area where we have noticed a significant shift in consumer behavior is the rise of audio consumption. With the increasing convenience of hardware, more people are turning to audio as their preferred mode of consumption. To cater to this trend, we have added a feature called "audio highlights" that allows users to highlight sections of an article while listening, without the need to open their phone. This feature enhances the overall reading experience for audio users.

In addition to audio highlights, we have also incorporated other features to improve the reading experience. One such feature is the inclusion of minimaps. By tapping an article with two fingers, users can access a miniaturized version that allows them to quickly scan headers and navigate through the content. This feature has been inspired by video games and code editors and provides a unique and engaging way to interact with text.

Our core users are what we call "active" readers. They are intentional about what they read and actively curate their information diets. They often have favorite writers and subscribe to newsletters, frequently visiting obscure blogs. Our goal is to increase the return on investment of reading. We want to help people gain more insight, knowledge, and even thrill from the time they invest in reading.

On a parallel note, the concept of teaching and learning has been proven to be a powerful tool for personal growth and development. Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors of all time, attributes his success to being a learning machine. He believes that constantly learning and teaching others has been the key to his achievements. The 5-Hour Rule, which advocates setting aside a minimum of 5 hours per week for deliberate learning, aligns with this philosophy.

Research shows that teaching what we learn has a profound impact on our own learning process. It helps us notice mistakes in our thinking, have more creative insights, sharpen our ideas, remember what we learned for longer, and see patterns more effectively. By incorporating teaching into our daily lives, we exponentially increase our learning potential, build deeper relationships, and make a bigger impact on the world.

Teaching is not only a noble act but also a scalable one. In a world where knowledge is readily accessible, teaching may be the future of the sharing economy. We are all each other's teachers to some extent, whether it be as colleagues, friends, mentors, parents, or spouses. Sharing what we have learned is a way to leave a lasting legacy and make a positive impact on others.

Creating a learning environment and community is an essential aspect of this journey. By actively engaging in conversations, dialogues, and debates with others, we can unlock remarkable insights and expand our collective knowledge. The famous Roman philosopher Seneca once said, "While we teach, we learn." This sentiment has been echoed by many great minds throughout history.

To cultivate the habit of teaching, a simple yet effective practice is to create a daily "Today I Learned" email. This concept, inspired by the popular subreddit of the same name, allows us to share our daily learnings with others. Additionally, research from Harvard suggests that spending just 15 minutes at the end of the day reflecting on what we have learned can significantly enhance our learning retention.

Beyond personal growth, teaching also helps build deeper relationships with those around us. By sharing our knowledge with others, we stay connected and empower others to grow in their own lives. As the Dalai Lama wisely said, "Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality."

In conclusion, the act of reading and learning is a journey that goes beyond the individual. By designing a better reading experience with platforms like Matter, we can enhance the way we consume information and make it more relevant and manageable. Simultaneously, incorporating teaching into our lives allows us to deepen our own understanding, create a lasting impact, and contribute to a collective knowledge network.

Actionable Advice:

1. Prioritize quality over quantity when it comes to the content you consume. Seek out curated recommendations from trusted sources or individuals.
2. Embrace audio as a mode of consumption. Explore podcasts, audiobooks, and other audio formats to make the most of your "ear time."
3. Cultivate the habit of teaching by sharing your learnings with others. Start with a simple practice like a daily "Today I Learned" email or engaging in learning conversations with friends and colleagues.