The Best LEARNING Book in History - 40 Years AHEAD of its Time

Python Programmer
26 Feb 202406:04
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThe video script discusses the transformative impact of William Zinsser's book, 'On Writing Well,' on the speaker's approach to writing and learning. Zinsser, a renowned writer and teacher, shares his insights on how writing can be a powerful tool for learning across all disciplines, not just writing. The video outlines the two main types of writing Zinsser advocates: explanatory and exploratory, which align with modern scientific learning techniques such as retrieval practice and elaborative interrogation. Despite initial resistance to writing due to its challenging nature, the speaker finds solace in Zinsser's own dislike for the process but emphasizes the pleasure derived from the accomplishment of writing. The video also highlights Zinsser's belief in the clarity that writing and rewriting bring to one's thoughts, pushing the writer to expand their knowledge. The script concludes with a recommendation for those interested in improving their writing skills to read Zinsser's book and a brief mention of a course on large language models for those curious about AI.

Takeaways
  • 📚 The book 'On Writing Well' by William Zinsser has significantly impacted the speaker's approach to writing and learning.
  • 👤 William Zinsser was a renowned professional writer and editor, known for his influential non-fiction writing course at Yale University.
  • 🔥 The book is not just for aspiring writers but for anyone interested in learning, including in fields like math and physics.
  • 💡 Writing can be used as a tool to discover what one knows and doesn't know, revealing gaps in knowledge or reasoning.
  • 😩 The author acknowledges that writing can be painful and frustrating, but emphasizes the pleasure of having written and the clarity it brings.
  • 📈 The book is divided into two parts: the first discusses why writing is a powerful tool for learning and the second showcases examples of excellent writing.
  • 🧐 Zinsser believed that writing compels us to think clearly, organize our ideas, and present them effectively.
  • 📝 Good writing is a result of clear thinking that comes from the process of writing and rewriting.
  • 🚫 The book has been criticized for not being a 'how-to' guide, but Zinsser's intention was to inspire rather than provide explicit instructions.
  • 🔍 Zinsser introduced the concepts of explanatory and exploratory writing, which align with some of the most effective scientific learning techniques.
  • 🏁 When ending a piece of writing, one should stop after presenting all the facts and making the intended point.
  • 🌐 The speaker recommends the 'Large Language Model' course from brilliant.org for those interested in understanding AI technologies.
Q & A

  • What is the main theme of the book discussed in the transcript?

    -The main theme of the book is to demonstrate how writing can transform one's approach to learning and to convey the author's passion for writing as a tool for understanding and knowledge.

  • Who is William Zinsser and what was his professional background?

    -William Zinsser was a professional writer for about 70 years, working at the New York Herald Tribune, writing for the New Yorker, and serving as editor of the Yale magazine. He was also a teacher, highly regarded for his non-fiction writing course at Yale University.

  • What is the title of the book that has sold over one and a half million copies?

    -The book with over one and a half million copies sold is called 'On Writing Well' by William Zinsser.

  • How does Zinsser suggest writing can be used as a learning tool?

    -Zinsser suggests that writing can be used to discover what one knows and what one doesn't know, exposing gaps in knowledge or reasoning, and helping to understand concepts through the process of writing and rewriting.

  • What are the two types of writing that Zinsser finds useful for learning?

    -The two types of writing Zinsser finds useful are explanatory writing, where one explains what they know, and exploratory writing, which is a more free-form style where one writes about a topic as it relates to them.

  • What are some of the best-known learning techniques that Zinsser's suggestions encompass?

    -Zinsser's suggestions encompass learning techniques such as retrieval practice, spaced practice, elaborative interrogation, and interleaving.

  • What is the structure of the book as described in the transcript?

    -The book is divided into two parts: the first part explains why Zinsser is writing the book, his intentions, and how writing can be a tool for wrestling with facts and ideas. The second part is a curated collection of what Zinsser considers to be really good writing, with explanations for why the writing is effective.

  • How does Zinsser feel about the act of writing?

    -Zinsser does not particularly enjoy the act of writing, finding it painful and frustrating. However, he takes great pleasure in having written and in the satisfaction of completing a piece of writing.

  • What does Zinsser say about the purpose of part two of the book?

    -In part two, Zinsser presents examples of clear writing from various disciplines and explains why the writing is good, emphasizing that the act of writing and rewriting made the authors think clearly and organize their ideas.

  • What is the criticism some people have about the book?

    -Some criticisms of the book are that it is not a how-to guide and does not provide concrete examples of what one needs to do to improve their writing.

  • What does Zinsser say about the importance of ending a piece of writing?

    -Zinsser advises to stop writing when all the facts have been presented and the point has been made, suggesting looking for the nearest exit to conclude effectively.

  • What is the recommendation made at the end of the transcript for those interested in understanding AI?

    -The recommendation is to take a look at the large language model course from brilliant.org, which is described as an excellent way to gain a firm understanding of how AI works with interactive examples.

Outlines
00:00
📚 Discovering the Power of Writing for Learning

The first paragraph introduces the transformative impact of a book on the author's approach to writing and learning. The book in question is 'On Writing Well' by William Zinsser, a renowned professional writer and teacher who has had a significant influence on non-fiction writing. The author expresses a personal dislike for writing due to its difficulty but acknowledges the satisfaction of completing a well-structured piece. The book is divided into two parts: the first discusses the purpose and method behind Zinsser's writing, emphasizing writing as a tool for clarifying thoughts and ideas across all disciplines. The second part is a collection of examples of excellent writing from various fields, illustrating how the process of writing and rewriting can lead to clearer thinking and deeper understanding. Criticisms of the book for lacking a 'how-to' guide are addressed, with the author noting that Zinsser's intention was to implicitly convey the value of writing to learn. The paragraph concludes with a promise to share more of Zinsser's work and an introduction to the concept of using writing as a tool for learning.

05:01
🚀 Enhancing Learning with the Large Language Model Course

The second paragraph shifts focus to a sponsored course from brilliant.org, which aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of large language models (LLMs). The course promises interactive examples to help learners understand the underlying mechanisms of these technologies. Brilliant is also praised as an exceptional platform for learning math, science, and computer science, with hands-on lessons that promote conceptual understanding rather than rote memorization. The platform offers a wide range of lessons from basic to advanced levels and continually adds new content to cater to learners' needs. The paragraph concludes with an offer for the first 200 people to sign up via the provided link to receive a 20% discount on Brilliant's annual premium subscription.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Writing
Writing is the process of inscribing thoughts, ideas, or information onto a surface, such as paper or a digital screen, using a pen, pencil, or keyboard. In the context of the video, writing is presented as a transformative tool for learning and understanding, not just for aspiring writers but for anyone seeking to learn any subject matter. The script emphasizes how writing can help identify gaps in knowledge and reasoning, thereby enhancing learning.
💡Learning
Learning is the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, or habits. The video emphasizes that writing can be a powerful tool for learning, as it forces the learner to clarify their thoughts and understand complex concepts more deeply. It is not limited to writing as a discipline but extends to all areas of study, including mathematics and physics.
💡William Zinsser
William Zinsser was a professional writer and teacher known for his influential book 'On Writing Well.' He worked at the New York Herald Tribune, wrote for the New Yorker, and was an editor of the Yale Magazine. As a teacher, he taught a highly regarded non-fiction writing course at Yale University. In the video, Zinsser's work and teaching are highlighted as instrumental in demonstrating the effectiveness of writing as a learning tool.
💡On Writing Well
'On Writing Well' is a book by William Zinsser that has sold over 1.5 million copies. The book is mentioned in the video as a resource for those interested in improving their writing skills. It is also used to illustrate the broader point that writing can be a means of learning and understanding, not just a way to communicate effectively.
💡Explanatory Writing
Explanatory writing is a type of writing that aims to explain or clarify a concept, process, or idea. The video discusses how this form of writing can be beneficial for learning, as it requires the writer to organize their thoughts and present them in a logical, understandable manner. This process inherently aids in learning by making the writer confront any gaps in their understanding.
💡Exploratory Writing
Exploratory writing is a more free-form type of writing where the writer explores a topic without a rigid structure. It is mentioned in the video as a method that allows for a deeper engagement with the subject matter, as it encourages the writer to connect new information with what they already know and to explore areas of uncertainty.
💡Clear Writing
Clear writing refers to the practice of expressing ideas in a manner that is easy to understand, without unnecessary complexity. The video script discusses how clear writing is a result of clear thinking, which is achieved through the act of writing and rewriting. This process is emphasized as a way to organize ideas and push the writer to new areas of knowledge.
💡Knowledge Gaps
Knowledge gaps refer to the areas in which an individual lacks understanding or information. The video script highlights that writing can help expose these gaps, prompting the writer to delve deeper into their subject matter and thereby learn more. This self-assessment tool is valuable for any discipline.
💡Retrieval Practice
Retrieval practice is a learning technique where the act of recalling information from memory is used to strengthen memory and understanding. The video mentions this technique as one of the best-known methods supported by scientific research, which aligns with the exploratory and explanatory writing processes discussed for learning and understanding complex subjects.
💡Spaced Practice
Spaced practice involves breaking learning into sessions and spacing them out over time. It is another learning technique mentioned in the video that complements the writing process by reinforcing information retention and understanding. This method is supported by scientific research and is implied to be beneficial when combined with writing as a learning tool.
💡Elaborative Interrogation
Elaborative interrogation is a learning strategy where one asks oneself questions about the material being studied to promote deeper understanding and retention. The video script briefly mentions this technique as part of the scientific research-backed methods that are in line with the video's advocacy for using writing to explore and understand topics more deeply.
💡Interleaving
Interleaving is a study technique where different topics or skills are mixed together in a single study session. The video script lists this as one of the effective learning techniques that scientific research has identified. It is suggested that this method, like others mentioned, can be facilitated through the act of writing, which helps in organizing and clarifying thoughts across various subjects.
Highlights

The book has transformed the author's approach to writing, learning, and potentially can do the same for the reader.

William Zinsser was a professional writer and editor with a significant teaching impact at Yale University.

Zinsser's book 'On Writing Well' has sold over one and a half million copies, indicating its influence and popularity.

The book is not just for aspiring writers but for anyone wanting to learn anything, including complex subjects like math or physics.

Writing can be used to uncover gaps in knowledge and reasoning, and to understand concepts more deeply through the process of putting thoughts into words.

Despite the challenges of writing, Zinsser found pleasure in the process and the satisfaction of having written.

The book is divided into two parts: the first discusses why Zinsser is writing the book and the second is a collection of examples of good writing.

Good writing compels clarity of thought and organization of ideas, which can benefit anyone in any discipline.

The book has been criticized for not being a 'how-to' guide, but this was Zinsser's intention to avoid repetition and focus on the implicit value of writing to learn.

Zinsser introduced the concepts of explanatory and exploratory writing, which align with some of the best-known learning techniques supported by scientific research.

Explanatory writing helps to clarify understanding, while exploratory writing allows for free-form exploration of a topic.

The act of writing and rewriting is shown to lead to clearer thinking and can push individuals to new areas of knowledge.

Zinsser's book is recommended for those wanting to learn to write or improve their writing skills, as it is filled with wisdom and advice.

Ending a piece of writing should occur once all facts are presented and the main point is made, using the nearest exit strategy.

The video also promotes the 'Large Language Model' course from brilliant.org for understanding AI technologies.

Brilliant.org offers a comprehensive learning platform covering math, science, and computer science with hands-on lessons and problem-solving exercises.

The platform is designed to be engaging, with thousands of lessons and new content added monthly, tailored to the learner's pace and level.

A special offer is presented for the first 200 people to sign up for the platform, providing a 20% discount on the annual premium subscription.

Transcripts

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