“The Best Reference Works for Every Subject” by Parker Conley
Jun 6, 2025
Dive into the fascinating world of reference works, from encyclopedias to interactive charts. Discover how these resources lay the groundwork in various fields, from humanities to sciences. The discussion emphasizes their role in helping learners navigate and understand complex subjects. Personal insights are invited to expand this treasure trove of knowledge. This exploration not only highlights essential tools for academic success but also ignites curiosity about overlooked areas in each discipline.
13:02
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Value of Reference Works
Reference works provide a broad overview of subjects to help orient beginners.
They expose unknown unknowns and offer a comprehensive picture that's engaging to explore.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
How to Submit Reference Works
Submit reference works that feel useful and interesting for orientation in a domain.
Include a clear quote with domain, type, and reason to help evaluate its relevance.
insights INSIGHT
Historical Reference Innovations
Visual timelines and interactive charts effectively condense vast historical periods.
They reduce Eurocentric bias and include extensive detail like presidential photos and party colors.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
The Best Textbooks on Every Subject is the Schelling point for the best textbooks on every subject. My The Best Tacit Knowledge Videos on Every Subject is the Schelling point for the best tacit knowledge videos on every subject. This post is the Schelling point for the best reference works for every subject.
Reference works provide an overview of a subject. Types of reference works include charts, maps, encyclopedias, glossaries, wikis, classification systems, taxonomies, syllabi, and bibliographies.
Reference works are valuable for orienting oneself to fields, particularly when beginning. They can help identify unknown unknowns; they help get a sense of the bigger picture; they are also very interesting and fun to explore.
How to Submit
My previous The Best Tacit Knowledge Videos on Every Subject uses author credentials to assess the epistemics of submissions. The Best Textbooks on Every Subject requires submissions to be from someone who [...]
LessWrong (Curated & Popular) 