They discuss their favorite books from the past year, including 'Why Knowledge Matters'. They delve into books on education, psychology, reasoning, creativity, therapy, and language learning. They explore difficulties in learning a second language and teaching physics. They reflect on reading classics and the impact of social learning theory.
Schools should prioritize teaching knowledge over reading comprehension skills to foster better readers.
Understanding the history and interconnectedness of psychology is essential in comprehending the discipline.
Deep dives
The Importance of Knowledge in Education
The podcast discusses the book 'Why Knowledge Matters' by Edie Hirsch, which argues that schools should prioritize teaching knowledge instead of focusing solely on reading comprehension skills. Hirsch suggests that background knowledge is crucial for being a good reader, and that a lack of shared culture can be detrimental to disadvantaged students.
Understanding the History of Psychology
The podcast highlights the book 'Psych' by Paul Bloon, which explores the history of psychology and the importance of understanding it in order to comprehend the discipline. Bloon's work provides a bird's eye view of psychology from past to present, emphasizing the interconnectedness of different concepts and theories.
Insights into Reasoning and Mental Models
The podcast features the book 'How We Reason' by Philip Johnson-Lared, which delves into the concept of mental models and how they shape our thinking. The book offers a comprehensive exploration of Johnson-Lared's theory, presenting the implications it has for our cognitive processes and reasoning abilities.