THE POWER OF KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge is power so they say. Taking on learned information and processing it in a way to be understood and used - ie. applied knowledge - takes time and effort. Learning is tough to do when there's so many other distractions, let alone when it's trying to read a 500+ page book on a subject that demands focussed study - so this one may take a while. Ten pages a day should see it finished in a few months though. The current book I'm looking at is on psychology called Social Cognition: Making Sense of People by Ziva Kunda.
Reading and absorbing
My teacher from primary school taught us how to read a book properly. First to read the front, taking in the title and author's name, then flicking to the back for a synopsis and reviews. Afterwards, taking in the sleeve note (hardback) and learning a little about the author. Finally looking at the contents, section headers and after, reading the preface or introduction along with any of the author's dedications to family, friends and loved ones. This should all be carefully considered before starting to read the actual book.
In the modern age, it's become increasingly difficult to stay focussed on one thing at a time and to truly immerse oneself in the task at hand, like reading a book. I usually find myself stopping to check emails, take calls, send texts, look up stuff on google and hop from one topic to the next. There never seems enough time to live in the moment with reminders, either digital or mental, taking us away from enjoying the moment. We need to isolate ourselves from these distractions if we're going to take on any new information from a book.
My teacher from primary school taught us how to read a book properly. First to read the front, taking in the title and author's name, then flicking to the back for a synopsis and reviews. Afterwards, taking in the sleeve note (hardback) and learning a little about the author. Finally looking at the contents, section headers and after, reading the preface or introduction along with any of the author's dedications to family, friends and loved ones. This should all be carefully considered before starting to read the actual book.
In the modern age, it's become increasingly difficult to stay focussed on one thing at a time and to truly immerse oneself in the task at hand, like reading a book. I usually find myself stopping to check emails, take calls, send texts, look up stuff on google and hop from one topic to the next. There never seems enough time to live in the moment with reminders, either digital or mental, taking us away from enjoying the moment. We need to isolate ourselves from these distractions if we're going to take on any new information from a book.
I now have a 'do not disturb' digital rule in place while doing a focussed task like reading. All phones, online access and emails etc. are off limits. Consequently, this is the first time in a long while that I can remember in recent memory that I've dedicated my full attention to fully absorb a book - carefully taking the time to look at the book in it's entirety and appreciating it in the quality old-world form of the printed page.
Long live the book with the knowledge and detachment from the digital realms that it gives us!
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