Nov 13, 2017
For complete show notes, visit:
http://becomingthealphamuslim.com/meta-learning
I know what you're thinking:
What the hell does learning math have to do with Becoming the
Alpha Muslim?
I'll tell you what.
The Islamic Sacred Tradition is one of deep learning and
transmission, so much so that entire books were written on the art
of learning.
More recently, the subject of meta-learning has become popular
due to bloggers like Tim Ferriss, Cal Newport, and Scott H.
Young.
I don't know any of these guys, but I do know someone who I
believe is somewhat of an authority on the subject.
My guest this episode is Ed Latimore. Ed is a professional
heavyweight boxer, physicist, published author, and
self-improvement blogger.
I invited him on to teach us how to learn math and, more
broadly, speak about the subject of meta-learning.
Ed is in an interesting position to speak about this subject
because he entered university at the not-quite-old but certainly
not young age of 28. As well, he gets punched in the head for a
living.
Both of these factors combined mean Ed had to take a deliberate
and systematic approach to learning. One that he can now pass on to
us.
Enjoy.
Show Notes
- [2:20] Ed's life circumstances necessitated that he learn HOW
to learn so he can be successful at university and this had the
added benefit of making him a good teacher
- [3:12] We live in an age where information is free. Because of
this, the ability to process information soundly and efficiently
has become priceless
- [4:25] Has entering university at 28 (as opposed to 18) and
getting punched in the head for a living affected Ed's ability to
learn?
- [5:30] When you are older, the tools you have available to
learn are different than when you are younger, for example
- Young people don't have the concept of limitation, which is a
plus, while adults have a better idea of what's possible
- Young people don't have the concept of failure, while adults
understand that failure is not the be-all-end-all
- Young people learn as a matter of immersion, while adults know
how to learn
- [9:35] As an adult you understand that the process of learning
gets results no matter your natural aptitude. As long as you apply
yourself over time, you will get better
- [13:30] How much does natural ability affect learning math?
Yes, a high IQ helps, but does that mean you can't achieve a level
of success? The world is not only composed of high IQ people.
- [17:00] Whether talent is real or not is irrelevant. What
matters is whether you are using your belief in it to motivate
yourself or to justify your weakness and lack of trying
- [17:39] If we take Goku and Vegeta as an example, Vegeta
doesn't just accept that Goku is better than him and quit. He has
an intrinsic belief in himself, as a pureblood Saiyan, that pushes
him to train harder and harder and reach new heights
- [19:50] Walk around with the confidence Vegeta had when he let
Cell absorb Android 18. That's the lie you must tell yourself about
talent
- [21:00] When Ed decided to go back to school he knew that even
though he was weak at math, given enough time, he could learn
anything. So he started learning almost a year out. In having this
mindset you learn the most valuable talent to have is hard
work
- [22:50] Because had to learn these subjects the hard way, he is
more proficient at teaching it than many high school teachers. The
guy who doesn't have the most natural talent is always the best
coach
- [25:20] Why should you study math? It's because math is just a
series of relationships. If you can learn to think in terms of
these abstract relationships, you can apply this skill to almost
every aspect of your life
- [28:50] If you've watched A Beautiful Mind, the Nash
Equilibrium was discovered because of Game, and trying to pick up
girls (yes, I'm aware this is a fictionalized account). There's a
reason the most high-paying careers have a math component
- [29:57] You don't lift weights because you regularly encounter
barbell- and dumbbell-shaped objects you need to pick up and move
around. You lift them because they make all the physical activity
in your life much easier. Mathematics is weight-lifting for your
brain
- [31:40] When you first start learning, you start by learning
tactically and solving as many problems as possible until it
becomes mechanical. Eventually, the problems will become harder and
they won't be straightforward to solve. Then you have to move from
HOW to WHY, and this is where you gain a deeper understanding of
the subject matter
- [36:10] Your final aim should be, "how can I understand this
well enough to explain it to someone without using mathematical
terminology?"
- [38:30] Bruce Lee said, "the three stages of learning are:
- A punch is just a punch
- A punch is no longer just a punch
- A punch is just a punch"
- [40:00] Ed's studies directly help him in his day-to-day life.
For example, learning math affects the way he operates on Twitter
because he understands network effects. Learning physics makes him
a much better boxer
- [45:30] Understanding momentum, power, impulse, and how they
apply to boxing
- [50:00] Why should never use AP math credits in university,
especially if you are in a technical major
- [54:30] Understanding math helps you become more analytical in
everyday life situations and puts some finesse in your game, so you
can save time and energy
- [56:30] Ed has increased his proficiency in mathematics to a
point where he sees his limitations. While he would certainly like
to take his understanding to the next level, he will likely only
achieve this if he pursues graduate education in mathematics. You
don't know how far you can be pushed until you need to be pushed
that far
- [58:05] To go further than undergraduate-level math
proficiency, the key is more immersion. Once you have improved to
one plateau there is no reason you can't improve to a higher one.
Your only limitations are time and effort (not talent). Your growth
will become logarithmic (i.e. diminishing returns)
- [1:01:30] I tell Ed about the North-African tradition of
learning; writing on wooden tablets, memorizing didactic poetry,
and teaching what they learn (even to a tree or an animal)
- [1:03:30] The ability to learn instills self-confidence. "I did
this difficult thing...what else can I do?" For Ed, getting through
the Physics program means he can do anything he puts his mind
to
- [1:08:00] At the very least, learning math gives you the
ability to see relationships and make connections between seemingly
unrelated topics and aspects of life. It also makes you a more
interesting or fun person
- [1:09:10] Ed recommends The Art of Learning by Josh Waitzkin
and A Mind for Numbers by Barbara Oakley
- [1:10:35] Nabeel recommends A Mathematician's Lament by Paul
Lockhart and A Mathematicians Apology by G.H. Harvey
- [1:13:15] Ed's book, Not Caring What Other People Think is a
Superpower, is available on Kindle and Paperback