The Informed Life Karl Fast on Reading
32 snips
Oct 8, 2023 Karl Fast, an independent scholar, information architect, and futurist, discusses reading practices and strategies with the host in preparation for their upcoming personal knowledge management workshop. They explore topics such as different reading habits, creating a supportive physical space for reading, the concept of 'mise en place' applied to knowledge work, and their love for recommending books and the library experience.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Karl's Reading Volume and System
- Karl Fast reads 60 to 70 books a year and tracks them meticulously using a spreadsheet.
- He rates books and categorizes them into enjoy, ideas, improve, and family/social categories.
Fiction as Idea Source
- Reading fiction can also yield important ideas and deepen understanding.
- Karl's example with War and Peace shows pleasure reading can enrich one's idea ecosystem through thoughtful note-taking.
Cluster Reading Strategy
- Karl reads in clusters, sampling multiple books on a topic to form a broader understanding.
- He skims, skips, and cross-references books when exploring subjects like transhumanism or gardening.