Add notes on skill-building and note-taking

Some more notes on them, though it's becoming more broad with the
perspectives this time. There is a backlog of them more, I just need to
process them this morning (or evening). This will eventually diverge
into more concrete skills now.

2020-07-06-23-55-47.org

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 :END:
 #+title: Deliberate practice
 #+date: "2020-07-06 23:55:47 +08:00"
-#+date_modified: "2021-06-18 22:46:46 +08:00"
+#+date_modified: "2021-07-14 16:50:17 +08:00"
 #+language: en
 
 
@@ -17,6 +17,10 @@ For example, trying yourself to solve some hard mathematical problems or competi
 You can also [[id:0dbfee88-cdce-48d1-9a10-23fc12d9bcd5][Refer to advanced resources when skill-building for a solid short-term goal]].
 With it, identify the top performers in the field and try to make a conclusion on how do they get so far.
 
+The most important component of this practice is feedback.
+Find a platform to publish your work or to apply your practice — e.g., an online forum, a local event, a contest/competition.
+[[roam:Communicate with others as a way to learn]].
+
 You can also put yourself in their shoes as a newcomer.
 Try to tackle a difficult problem, [[id:12dc8b07-ed8b-46d8-bff0-a38d9f3cb83b][Diving head-first with a difficult problem is a good indicator of progress]].
 Beware, [[id:48cef2ac-a941-463d-a07f-6be8349456ad][Diving head-first into a difficult problem makes a bad start]].

2021-04-05-12-43-36.org

@@ -3,12 +3,13 @@
 :END:
 #+title: Speedreading is all about skimming well
 #+date: "2021-04-05 12:43:36 +08:00"
-#+date_modified: "2021-05-04 20:52:08 +08:00"
+#+date_modified: "2021-07-11 15:27:57 +08:00"
 #+language: en
 #+tags: personal-info-management
 
 
-While [[id:e19ca54b-74b2-436a-b3e1-a5fd4ff6ecab][Speedreading]] has surrounding skepticism for productivity researchers, it can be repurposed as a skimming technique.
+Even when [[id:e19ca54b-74b2-436a-b3e1-a5fd4ff6ecab][Speedreading]] is not a viable learning technique, [[id:c886bc6d-e9dc-4f62-8841-59123236eda0][Failed ideas can be repurposed]].
+In this case, it can be repurposed as a skimming technique.
 The fast reading speed but lower comprehension fits the description of what skimming is all about.
 Thus, the following uses make speedreading a fitting tool.
 

2021-04-06-22-25-17.org

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 :END:
 #+title: Prefer referencing over remembering
 #+date: "2021-04-06 22:25:17 +08:00"
-#+date_modified: "2021-06-24 17:14:01 +08:00"
+#+date_modified: "2021-07-14 15:36:24 +08:00"
 #+language: en
 #+tags: personal-info-management
 
@@ -14,7 +14,9 @@ Even without the internet, however, it is still useful to find ways to refer to
 
 This doesn't mean that you should avert remembering, that would be silly as [[id:c0e4fb0e-68f2-4db4-8c3e-f5a7845738c3][Understanding comes first from memory]].
 You're still trying to understand a concept, after all.
-The gist of it is knowing the basics of a concept and its relations to others, enabling you to come up with a more effective search query.
+The gist of it is knowing the basics of a concept and its relations to others,
+[[id:df20e58b-6d38-4ace-8468-413bc708c772][Most of the work is done from smaller amount of effort]].
+This enables you to come up with a more effective search query.
 If nothing else, you could take advantage of the help system insisted by the tool.
 
 Examples:

2021-04-07-18-53-58.org

@@ -3,14 +3,13 @@
 :END:
 #+title: Future-proofing your notes is only worth if the future is relevant
 #+date: "2021-04-07 18:53:58 +08:00"
-#+date_modified: "2021-05-09 17:23:07 +08:00"
+#+date_modified: "2021-07-11 20:37:21 +08:00"
 #+language: en
 
 
 At some point, your notes will be a gigantic mess.
 Even if you [[id:ea263f6f-fa8e-4e6d-a585-d30d493d1e3c][Add a desktop search engine for your digital library]] and know the structure, it's not always worth with the overwhelming pile that will accumulate further since you always navigate certain notes through a fixed path.
-Similar to certain software projects like Xorg, Rust language, magit, and org-roam, there will be a point where you have to redesign them.
-[fn:: Xorg has Wayland as the successor, the Rust community can revise the language freely through editions, magit did have a crownfunding campaign to pay the developer to rewrite it for a year, and org-roam is recently through a major redesign.]
+Similar to certain software projects like Xorg, Rust language, magit, and org-roam, there will be a point where you have to redesign them. [fn:: Xorg has Wayland as the successor, the Rust community can revise the language freely through editions, magit did have a crownfunding campaign to pay the developer to rewrite it for a year, and org-roam is recently through a major redesign.]
 You have to assign a garbage day at some point.
 
 Future-proofing your notes creates pressure on managing your note-taking seriously and efficiently.
@@ -20,7 +19,8 @@ They should eventually evolve into [[id:431532c3-6506-4565-b193-dbfb60eac7d6][Ev
 An alternative to trashing your notes is to [[id:810dc8b6-db64-4c80-a0aa-f9e6d5fa4acf][Create an inbox to store your thoughts]].
 
 However, focusing too much on future-proofing your notes will limit them because you're limited with the basics of a tool.
-You're not using the tool to its full potential and note-taking should make for better thinking.
+It is a matter of [[roam:Tradeoffs lock yourself in a position]].
+You're not using the tool to its full potential and [[id:499cd6a0-8055-4c28-8bd4-64877aa2c46f][Note-taking should make better thinking]].
 Also, it's not like those notes will last for centuries.
 A lot of the technology can be obselete in decades, constantly challenged with modern tools and findings.
 Plus, you always have time to migrate your notes.

2021-04-26-18-59-30.org

@@ -3,12 +3,12 @@
 :END:
 #+title: When note-taking, don't satisfy your ego
 #+date: "2021-04-26 18:59:30 +08:00"
-#+date_modified: "2021-07-05 13:16:37 +08:00"
+#+date_modified: "2021-07-11 20:34:24 +08:00"
 #+language: en
 
 
 Note-taking are meant as a mental scratchpad, not some sort of creative writing.
-[[id:b62c61f1-ee12-4bd9-b59a-ec6eafe29f38][Unnecessary optimizations cripple progress]] from the goal that [[roam:Note-taking should make better thinking]].
+[[id:b62c61f1-ee12-4bd9-b59a-ec6eafe29f38][Unnecessary optimizations cripple progress]] from the goal that [[id:499cd6a0-8055-4c28-8bd4-64877aa2c46f][Note-taking should make better thinking]].
 The time you spent making things align as if you have OCD could be spent editing and improving other notes.
 
 Personal notes, no matter how poorly written or unmaintained, are still valuable.

2021-05-02-16-52-22.org

@@ -3,12 +3,16 @@
 :END:
 #+title: Every copy of the techniques is personalized
 #+date: "2021-05-02 16:52:22 +08:00"
-#+date_modified: "2021-05-14 13:01:31 +08:00"
+#+date_modified: "2021-07-11 20:15:56 +08:00"
 #+language: en
 
 
 Different people have different ways of understanding.
+[[id:114b7874-6a20-49c8-be2c-46970c7110dc][Information is only acquired when you try to make sense of it]].
+At the end of the day, you have a workflow that works for you.
+
 From every tips, tricks, and techniques that are echoed throughout the internet, the most effective technique will always end up that you optimized.
+This can end up as an exercise of creativity (and [[id:af581713-d4a8-438a-84ea-9f3b8e1353e6][Creativity does not mean originality]]).
 This is especially true for (primarily) solo activities such as [[id:0d2264a6-e487-4761-818a-d17d2833120f][Note-taking]] or learning a new hobby.
 Whether you've been speedrunning a game, aiming to type 100 words per minute, composing an album, or illustrating a character, you are eventually taking the time to improve it.
 

2021-05-14-11-48-20.org

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 :END:
 #+title: Understanding comes first from memory
 #+date: "2021-05-14 11:48:20 +08:00"
-#+date_modified: "2021-05-17 08:53:22 +08:00"
+#+date_modified: "2021-07-11 20:15:07 +08:00"
 #+language: en
 
 
@@ -25,3 +25,4 @@ From personal experience, I used to not like this rote method of learning.
 After some reflection, I think I got the reason: lack of understanding especially with the basics.
 Remember that [[id:114b7874-6a20-49c8-be2c-46970c7110dc][Information is only acquired when you try to make sense of it]].
 The problem could be the lack of time understanding it.
+For practice, you can start with simple solutions like [[id:063dfd73-dbf5-437b-b6f1-d7aeca196f31][Spaced repetition]].

2021-05-14-12-37-18.org

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 :END:
 #+title: Learning process
 #+date: "2021-05-14 12:37:18 +08:00"
-#+date_modified: "2021-07-09 07:31:05 +08:00"
+#+date_modified: "2021-07-09 19:20:40 +08:00"
 #+language: en
 
 
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
 - With the techniques considered, take a look at the common [[id:9dc7cb08-3aea-4f66-80ac-49a14b4b7642][Pitfalls and illusions of competence]].
 
 - After you understood the concepts, you start to see things in your own perspective.
-  Know that [[id:114b7874-6a20-49c8-be2c-46970c7110dc][Information is only acquired when you try to make sense of it]].
   [[id:d885e93b-f919-4338-a6b9-3438538e18c0][Every copy of the techniques is personalized]].
 
 - Beware, this could lead into actively consuming just the resources without the practice.

2021-05-20-20-20-19.org

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 :END:
 #+title: Involuntary attention switch is good for preventing tunnel vision
 #+date: "2021-05-20 20:20:19 +08:00"
-#+date_modified: "2021-06-05 11:13:27 +08:00"
+#+date_modified: "2021-07-13 21:06:13 +08:00"
 #+language: en
 
 
@@ -11,7 +11,8 @@ The more out-of-place the topic, the less associations we make.
 We understand this idea as if an isolated land far away from the main body of ideas, just waiting to drift towards them.
 This is why interleaving can sometimes be helpful in exploring uncharted territory, expanding your viewpoints.
 
-- we sometimes slip into this involuntarily, this ADHD-like tendency to switch our attention is good for getting new perspective even when we don't want to
+- we sometimes slip into this involuntarily, this ADHD-like tendency to switch our attention is good for getting new perspective even when we don't want to;
+  this is as if [[id:c10ebbb7-2af6-419e-a8f3-3417c5b82de3][Randomness in systems introduces interest]]
 - the more time we spent on the environment that we're comfortable with, the more chance we'll be entrenched in an idea
 - for example, constantly shopping for a better tool or checking for the hip new programming language is still a good practice to get a new perspective for improving your workflow or your programming ideas
 - doesn't mean lack of commitment, you still have to strive to improve your own (see [[id:d885e93b-f919-4338-a6b9-3438538e18c0][Every copy of the techniques is personalized]])

2021-06-21-10-08-01.org

@@ -3,16 +3,22 @@
 :END:
 #+title: Start with wishful thinking
 #+date: "2021-06-21 10:08:01 +08:00"
-#+date_modified: "2021-06-21 10:18:26 +08:00"
+#+date_modified: "2021-07-13 21:54:00 +08:00"
 #+language: en
 
 
-In other words, fake it till you make it.
-This is how projects start.
-Envision how you would use the end product then create a prototype that completes it no matter how badly implemented.
+In other words, start with the end result.
+This is the core of prototyping, starting with the end product and getting there no matter how badly implemented.
 
 - In programming, we usually call this abstractions where we don't need to worry about the implementation details and whatnot.
+  Some would even take one more step by starting with the user-oriented documentation or unit tests.
 
-- In learning, we could [[id:92a10fe2-f4d1-4e5e-b5f4-3779db13a2e5][Create roadmaps to stay on track]].
-  These roadmaps usually represents what we want to be in the future.
-  If a roadmap is not enough, you can simply create a bucket list similar to [[https://collegeinfogeek.com/about/meet-the-author/my-impossible-list/][Thomas Frank's impossible list]].
+- In learning, we could start with our end-goal.
+  This is quite similar to [[https://collegeinfogeek.com/about/meet-the-author/my-impossible-list/][Thomas Frank's impossible list]] that we explicitly say what we want to do.
+  We could apply the principle what we want to do when we learn a skill.
+
+This is like the practice to [[id:0dbfee88-cdce-48d1-9a10-23fc12d9bcd5][Refer to advanced resources when skill-building for a solid short-term goal]], only the examples are created yourself.
+It also allows to make iterations with a [[id:05a39f96-fb1c-4d71-9be1-fc4c2e251e8f][Start small and improve later]]-kind of workflow.
+
+However, focusing too much on the destination can block your progress from having a clear sight on how to get there.
+We can [[id:92a10fe2-f4d1-4e5e-b5f4-3779db13a2e5][Create roadmaps to stay on track]] and establish milestones.

2021-07-05-12-36-41.org

@@ -3,16 +3,23 @@
 :END:
 #+title: Unnecessary optimizations cripple progress
 #+date: "2021-07-05 12:36:41 +08:00"
-#+date_modified: "2021-07-05 12:55:12 +08:00"
+#+date_modified: "2021-07-15 07:23:10 +08:00"
 #+language: en
 
 
+- while [[id:0e2c9eaf-f12a-47b2-9c9c-d1a590db131b][Involuntary attention switch is good for preventing tunnel vision]] — e.g., trying out new things, window shopping for better tools — it can go into a case of optimizing every choice
+- this is a form of analyzing too much except we're acting upon our choices;
+  remember: [[roam:Overanalyzing slow you down]]
+- additionally, you could think of this addiction from taking too much advantages as you can;
+  it always create the impression that there is an absolute way to do it and you just haven't figured it out yet;
+  recall that [[id:9a9163d7-502b-4540-b723-e15afba1e917][Tradeoffs lock yourself in a position]]
 - unnecessary optimizations are unnecessary wasting of time that could've been used for something else more worthy;
   the problem, however, is it can be addicting
 - this is affecting people of all walks of life that it has various names: productivity porn, yak shaving, and pre-optimizing software;
   in other words, the perfectionist stereotype
 - a lot of the improvements we do often comes from new ideas;
-  thus, there is an incentive to present it as a new and shiny thing that you should try it out that easily reaches [[id:909b4830-72c8-4943-be47-efaf77e40253][Professional narcissism]]
+  thus, there is an incentive to present it as a new and shiny thing that you should try it out;
+  sometimes this easily reaches [[id:909b4830-72c8-4943-be47-efaf77e40253][Professional narcissism]]
 - most of the time, this can be harmful:
   + this can be seen with self-help and productivity culture with gurus presenting themselves as someone who finally figured it out how to get into a constant productive state — e.g., a new method of note-taking, habit management methods, productivity applications showcase
   + part of the Linux ricing desktop community where software are fetishized to make their computing experience to be more productive — e.g., text editors galore, tiling window managers versus traditional desktops, command line versus graphical tools, quests for mouseless computing, learning new keyboard layouts

2021-07-09-19-20-50.org

@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+:PROPERTIES:
+:ID:       af0ccefe-c671-47bf-94f7-62243c805745
+:END:
+#+title: Skill-building
+#+date: "2021-07-09 19:20:50 +08:00"
+#+date_modified: "2021-07-13 20:29:46 +08:00"
+#+language: en
+
+
+- [[id:1a6187c9-6c79-4378-bf8d-935c8a3d9167][When learning a new skill, begin with a specific end-goal to create a solid starting point]].
+- [[id:0dbfee88-cdce-48d1-9a10-23fc12d9bcd5][Refer to advanced resources when skill-building for a solid short-term goal]].
+- Practice roam:Interleaving to gain more perspectives from different skills.
+- Learn a thing or two about the [[id:06df5d69-12ac-4e98-8013-ac54d29aa80c][Learning process]].
+- To push your level, do some [[id:9b669fd4-e04e-43dd-a61e-81dea5ec0764][Deliberate practice]].

2021-07-11-20-33-13.org

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+:PROPERTIES:
+:ID:       499cd6a0-8055-4c28-8bd4-64877aa2c46f
+:END:
+#+title: Note-taking should make better thinking
+#+date: "2021-07-11 20:33:13 +08:00"
+#+date_modified: "2021-07-11 20:33:53 +08:00"
+#+language: en
+
+
+- most of the education emphasizes note-taking as an indicator of academic success;
+  while true, it misses the point of taking notes if forced among students
+- while note-taking makes to [[id:810dc8b6-db64-4c80-a0aa-f9e6d5fa4acf][Create an inbox to store your thoughts]] and [[id:3d1c0313-fa3d-4b18-b435-51d3837e3e2c][Fleeting notes]], it should also improve your thinking;
+  notes are just additional storage for your thoughts
+- some people like to take note for the sake of taking note;
+  some may even get into addiction to optimization as [[id:b62c61f1-ee12-4bd9-b59a-ec6eafe29f38][Unnecessary optimizations cripple progress]]

2021-07-13-20-23-13.org

@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+:PROPERTIES:
+:ID:       9a9163d7-502b-4540-b723-e15afba1e917
+:END:
+#+title: Tradeoffs lock yourself in a position
+#+date: "2021-07-13 20:23:13 +08:00"
+#+date_modified: "2021-07-13 20:25:08 +08:00"
+#+language: en
+
+
+- each options have its advantages and disadvantages
+- [[id:d885e93b-f919-4338-a6b9-3438538e18c0][Every copy of the techniques is personalized]];
+  choose what you're comfortable with or make a [[id:9b669fd4-e04e-43dd-a61e-81dea5ec0764][Deliberate practice]] with setting a new level (or a new perspective)
+- examples:
+  + learning a new skill versus improving your specialization at one time
+  + using one tool versus another locking yourself inside of the tool — e.g., Emacs versus Vim versus Visual Studio Code
+  + using the bare minimal of a feature set versus using it to the full potential
+- no matter what, you're locking yourself in a position but both have risks
+  + learning a new skill can make for a better skill set and it makes for a little interleaving while digging deeper into a specialization can make in-depth knowledge;
+    both have risks: vulnerability to changes rendering the time you spent for a specialization to be nearly useless, not making yourself more attractive to the job market with more specialized skills
+  + locking oneself to the text editor can mean taking advantage of the already existing ecosystem of the text editors
+  + using the bare minimum of a feature set prevents you to do other things but it also minimizes the problems for future migrations to other tools
+- that said, balancing tradeoffs is a matter of creativity to suit your ideal workflow with the things you have;
+  just be beware of going into overanalyzing as [[id:b62c61f1-ee12-4bd9-b59a-ec6eafe29f38][Unnecessary optimizations cripple progress]]