How to Memorize History

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The organization technique can be used to learn more complex conceptual knowledge. For instance, what exactly was the complex system of causes which caused World War I? And how do we think about that with respect to our understanding of historical causation in general? This is like a often a part of history curricula. It doesn't really seem like something that you can study with flashcards, but I argue that it is actually something thatyou can study withflashcards. There's a way of understanding how causes work. These kinds of things can be practiced in the same way that you can practice at that date.

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How can we accelerate learning? Is spaced repetition the best way to absorb information over the long term? Do we always read non-fiction works with the goal of learning? What are some less common but perhaps more valuable types of information that can be put on flash cards? What sorts of things are worth remembering anyway? Why is it important to commit some ideas to memory when so much information is easily findable on the internet? What benefits are derived from being involved in all stages of a project pipeline from concept to execution (as opposed to being involved only in one part, like the research phase)? Why should more researchers be involved in para-academic projects? Where can one find funding for para-academic research?

Andy Matuschak invents tools that expand what people can think and do. His current research focuses on a new written medium which makes it much easier to remember what you read. In previous roles, Andy led R&D at Khan Academy and helped build iOS at Apple. You can read more about his work at andymatuschak.org and follow him on Twitter at @andy_matuschak.

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