Getting to the Top of Discussions at Con Academy

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Not all discussions are equally productive or constructive. We learned from designing that thi, sort of open ended activity tool at con academy. What is the relationship between one's emotional connection to knowledge and one's detailed understanding of that knowledge? It's a question which a learning scientist can engage with extremely deeply. But it's also a question which everyone can engage with. Everyone has interesting things to say about that.

Software Engineer Andy Matuschak talks about his essay "Why Books Don't Work" with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. Matuschak argues that most books rely on transmissionism, the idea that an author can share an idea in print and the reader will absorb it. And yet after reading a non-fiction book, most readers will struggle to remember any of the ideas in the book. Matuschak argues for a different approach to transmitting ideas via the web including different ways that authors or teachers can test for understanding that will increase the chances of retention and mastery of complex ideas.