Rocket Reading Method for Rapid Learning

Due to the nature of my work, I need to learn about various industries at high speed. Here is a summary of a reading method for stable, rapid learning.

When learning about a new industry, I read books in the following way.

How to do Rocket Reading

When learning general knowledge at high speed, I read books as follows.

1. Buy a collection of standard books, focusing on new ones

2. Read only the chapter titles and introductions of each book all at once

3. Extract common words from the titles and introductions to create a map

4. Prioritize learning the content that is covered in common

5. Ignore information discussed in only one specific book for now

By doing this, you can efficiently acquire standard knowledge in a reproducible way.

Applying 'Mean Reversion' and the 'Law of Large Numbers' to Reading

This learning method applies statistical principles known as 'mean reversion' and the 'law of large numbers'.

If you limit your learning input to a single book, the volatility of your learning outcomes will be high. This is because the information you obtain is swayed by the quality of that one book or the author's philosophy.If your input source is just one book, your learning becomes a game of chance.

Conversely, if you read multiple books simultaneously, mean reversion is applied to your learning. As a result, what you gain leans toward the 'standard knowledge of that industry.'In exchange for losing the chance of a 'jackpot' learning experience, you also eliminate the risk of a 'total miss'.

In the academic world, a method called meta-analysis, which comprehensively evaluates multiple similar studies, is used to measure the accuracy of theories and research.

This is a reading method that applies this concept to individual learning.

You can reliably grasp the basic knowledge that everyone else is covering

Since the content and accuracy of learning are averaged out, you can reliably acquire the 'basic knowledge that everyone in the industry considers important'.

This is the most important thing when entering a new industry or communicating across different industries.

You will miss out on edge information that everyone else hasn't grasped

As a disadvantage, you will fail to learn the 'special knowledge that only the most advanced people and top performers have grasped.' You cannot pick up the groundbreaking claims of geniuses.

However, groundbreaking information is 'knowledge that the average industry professional does not grasp.'It is normal not to know information that everyone else doesn't know, so the disadvantage is minor.

As a secondary benefit, you can consistently exclude pseudoscience and absurd theories.

This drawback can be covered by additional learning as needed. Also, by focusing your input on the latest books, you can take a superior position to the average knowledge of the industry.

You will follow the classic mistakes that everyone makes

As a similar disadvantage, there is a risk that you will also learn 'information that everyone is mistaken about' incorrectly.

This, too, is 'knowledge that the average industry professional is mistaken about or does not grasp,' so there is no relative disadvantage.

This can be covered by additional learning as needed. Also, by focusing your input on the latest books, you can take a superior position to the average knowledge of the industry.

Subsequent knowledge growth

More applied additional learning can also be systematized in the same way.

By collecting specialized books read by people in the top 50% and performing a similar extensive reading challenge, you can acquire the average knowledge of the top 50% of people.

After that, by collecting specialized books read by people in the top 25% and performing a similar extensive reading challenge, you can acquire the average knowledge of the top 25% of people.

By using this method, you can raise your knowledge level in stable steps up to the limit of your intelligence, time, and motivation.

Further knowledge growth beyond that

Acquiring standard knowledge is merely the first step.

That knowledge is still just theoretical... it is thin and lacks the backing of practical application.

The next phase is the process of converting knowledge into experience through practice.

If it is programming, try copying sample code; if it is cooking, try actually making the dish. Since you are starting from a state where you have already grasped the standard knowledge, you should be able to master it smoothly. Furthermore, you will be able to understand 'where the parts you know but cannot yet replicate lie (the realm of physicality and artistry).'

Do not believe in books, believe in the laws of the universe

Relying on a specific book or a specific author for information sources carries the risk of probabilistic bias. This is a major barrier to reproducibility in learning and skill acquisition.

When learning, I believe that if you stop believing in a specific book or a specific author and instead start believing in probability distributions as the laws of the universe, you can achieve stable, high-speed learning.

Also, for novels, manga, and essays, just enjoy reading them normally!