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The CS Primer Show

E21: Make the easy things harder (with Madison Kanna)

Nov 8, 2024
Madison Kanna, a lifelong learner and self-taught programmer, shares her journey of learning in public. She discusses transforming anxiety-driven practices into passion-fueled exploration in coding. The conversation highlights the importance of curiosity, personal interests, and embracing challenges for growth. Madison also touches on the benefits of homeschooling versus traditional education, and the role of music and caffeine in enhancing focus. Ultimately, she emphasizes finding joy in the learning process while navigating the complexities of programming.
57:14

Episode guests

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Quick takeaways

  • Fostering genuine curiosity instead of extrinsic motivations promotes a deeper and more enjoyable engagement with learning in computer science.
  • Accepting the limits of knowledge and focusing on joy in learning can alleviate burnout and reignite passion for complex subjects like coding.

Deep dives

The Challenge of Self-Directed Learning

Many individuals struggle with self-directed learning due to the overwhelming depth of knowledge required to master a new skill, such as coding. Initially, the approach may stem from extrinsic motivations like salary increases rather than genuine curiosity, leading to burnout and disengagement. A meaningful shift happens when learners focus on what excites them personally, as this fosters motivation and a genuine desire to explore complex subjects. For example, one individual recounted their experience of rekindling their enthusiasm for coding by pursuing topics they found fascinating instead of what they felt obligated to learn.

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