Update memory- and learning-related notes

2020-04-15-20-41-51.org

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 :END:
 #+title: Add a desktop search engine for your digital library
 #+date: "2020-04-15 20:41:51 +08:00"
-#+date_modified: "2021-05-04 20:52:09 +08:00"
+#+date_modified: "2021-05-13 14:15:39 +08:00"
 #+language: en
 
 
@@ -18,4 +18,4 @@ An ideal desktop search engine should have the following things:
 - Invites integration (and extension) with an API allowing for more control and features.
 - Highlights searching with a query language that is both simple and powerful.
 
-With a cursory search, I found [[roam:Recoll][Recoll]] that fits the bill with the added bonus of being a cross-platform tool and easily configurable.
+With a cursory search, I found [[id:253c59a3-f5ba-4d77-b535-7447a512945d][Recoll]] that fits the bill with the added bonus of being a cross-platform tool and easily configurable.

2020-06-27-18-31-40.org

@@ -3,12 +3,12 @@
 :END:
 #+title: Write down the simplest possible example
 #+date: "2020-06-27 18:31:40 +08:00"
-#+date_modified: "2021-05-07 09:16:20 +08:00"
+#+date_modified: "2021-05-13 16:17:27 +08:00"
 #+language: en
 
 
 On practice, writing down the simplest possible examples allows you to get started working on the definitions.
-When you're done with the simplest possible example, you can then start with a more complicated example (relative to the simplest one) until you worked your way to a real mind-boggling example that really made you bang your head to a wall.
+When you're done with the simplest possible example, you can slowly amp the complexity until you worked your way to a real mind-boggling example that really made you bang your head to a wall.
 As they say, [[id:05a39f96-fb1c-4d71-9be1-fc4c2e251e8f][Start small and improve later]].
 
 On the non-practical side, it is said to be a cultural thing for mathematicians.

2021-04-07-18-19-11.org

@@ -3,13 +3,17 @@
 :END:
 #+title: Spaced repetition
 #+date: "2021-04-07 18:19:11 +08:00"
-#+date_modified: "2021-05-05 19:34:34 +08:00"
+#+date_modified: "2021-05-14 12:47:14 +08:00"
 #+language: en
 
 
-- spacing out testing over a period of time
-- [[roam:Start small and improve later]]
-- tools: Anki, org-drill
-- good for recalling and memorizing information
-- to fully absorb the information, you have to set some time for your brain
-- similar to how reading is not instantaneous, learning is not instantaneous or can be done overnight
+Spacing out practice sessions over a period of time is more effective than cramming it all in one evening.
+It's because our brain takes time to absorb all of the information.
+Learning is not instantaneous.
+We might know the information now by first practice but we'll forget it sooner or later especially if we don't remember it often.
+
+This could be used as a way to learn things and form habits.
+[[id:05a39f96-fb1c-4d71-9be1-fc4c2e251e8f][Start small and improve later]] by practicing over small units (e.g., solve only one problem), make the unit per practice bigger (e.g., solve two problems), and repeat until you're confident to move on to other topics.
+
+There are various tools to practice spaced repetition with Anki is one of the most popular tool.
+If you're using [[id:c422175a-5b65-4311-8cc6-11efd55364e8][Org mode]], org-drill is a plugin that builds on top of it to implement a spaced repetition memory system.

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

@@ -3,10 +3,11 @@
 :END:
 #+title: Every copy of the techniques is personalized
 #+date: "2021-05-02 16:52:22 +08:00"
-#+date_modified: "2021-05-07 22:44:19 +08:00"
+#+date_modified: "2021-05-14 13:01:31 +08:00"
 #+language: en
 
 
+Different people have different ways of understanding.
 From every tips, tricks, and techniques that are echoed throughout the internet, the most effective technique will always end up that you optimized.
 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.
@@ -20,7 +21,7 @@ Another example is [[https://zettelkasten.de/posts/use-case-investing-zettelkast
 It isn't stated by a Zettelkasten guide anywhere to use it like that but it did worked out for them.
 
 When starting anew, you are curious on getting started.
-You've read articles, watched
+You've read articles, watched videos, and practice the things you just learned.
 You eventually came to like some of the things you think are cool, you integrated it to your own endeavor, and it is now a part of your workflow — e.g.,
 you began to take speedrun with routes you're comfortable with, you start to optimize your reading while typing, you chose to compose with a modern version of Bach's workflow, you began to change how you make strokes with confidence.
-Overall, [[id:05a39f96-fb1c-4d71-9be1-fc4c2e251e8f][Start small and improve later]] but always take the time to do [[id:9b669fd4-e04e-43dd-a61e-81dea5ec0764][Deliberate practice]].
+Overall, [[id:05a39f96-fb1c-4d71-9be1-fc4c2e251e8f][Start small and improve later]] but always take the time to do [[id:9b669fd4-e04e-43dd-a61e-81dea5ec0764][Deliberate practice]] to prevent yourself getting stuck to one idea.

2021-05-02-23-05-42.org

@@ -3,15 +3,23 @@
 :END:
 #+title: The basics of memory
 #+date: "2021-05-02 23:05:42 +08:00"
-#+date_modified: "2021-05-09 00:13:03 +08:00"
+#+date_modified: "2021-05-14 12:58:38 +08:00"
 #+language: en
 
 
-# TODO: desperate to improve this note
+# TODO: working and long-term memory
 As for this note, we'll talk about the basics of memory neuroscientifically.
 
+Remebering from our basic biology lessons, we know that the brain contains *neurons that store information*.
+These information can be connected together with *synapses that represents a web of thoughts*.
+It shows why [[id:9f1f35dd-7cf9-4f47-a9a9-b647e5daa2af][We are more associative than structured]];
+indeed, we are very skilled in jumping and associating ideas.
+You may have moments of suddenly remembering that you forgot to bring something while in the middle of your nap or a Eureka! moment where you suddenly understand why the quadratic formula makes sense.
+
 The memory can be compared to the muscles as it strengthens the more you use and decays the more you neglect.
 In order for this to work, however, you need to set some time for the neural structure to harden first.
+This is why cramming doesn't work and [[id:063dfd73-dbf5-437b-b6f1-d7aeca196f31][Spaced repetition]] is often considered a better method.
 
 - Know the basics of your brain
 - Neuron formation
+- Working and long-term memory

2021-05-08-23-27-52.org

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 :END:
 #+title: Memory palace
 #+date: "2021-05-08 23:27:52 +08:00"
-#+date_modified: "2021-05-09 00:21:46 +08:00"
+#+date_modified: "2021-05-14 12:55:23 +08:00"
 #+language: en
 
 
@@ -13,4 +13,4 @@ For example, you can use your house as a layout and putting new concepts in it s
 You can then write a crazy narrative with those things — e.g., outside of the house are 2 stuffed toys (area of square) and through the entrance is a half-dressed hobo.
 The core of this technique is learning through overlaying familiar topics with newer concepts.
 
-This is effective for memorizing since [[id:9f1f35dd-7cf9-4f47-a9a9-b647e5daa2af][We are more associative than structured]] along with our tendency of chunking.
+This is effective for memorizing since [[id:9f1f35dd-7cf9-4f47-a9a9-b647e5daa2af][We are more associative than structured]] along with our tendency of [[id:1e135aee-0464-4756-9f55-bbf12afe8254][Chunking]].

2021-05-13-11-43-13.org

@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+:PROPERTIES:
+:ID:       253c59a3-f5ba-4d77-b535-7447a512945d
+:END:
+#+title: Recoll
+#+date: "2021-05-13 11:43:13 +08:00"
+#+date_modified: "2021-05-13 15:10:56 +08:00"
+#+language: en
+
+
+
+A [[https://www.lesbonscomptes.com/recoll/][cross-platform desktop search engine]] that can search through [[id:ccb3bc14-a801-4ed0-b066-50b1bcd853aa][File metadata]] from various formats including HTML, text files, PDF, and more.
+It can be automated easily with the command line and it has a GUI available as well as various third-party frontends.
+Moreover, it has a Python 3 API that can extend Recoll for support to additional file formats, for example.
+
+Like most web search engines, it searches through an index which has to be generated first (i.e., ~recollindex~).
+With the file changes, the index has to be regenerated.
+
+Recoll is an example of a well-made application that is developer-oriented and trying to be user-friendly with the GUI.
+It has extensive user documentation that lets you extend Recoll through your own.

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

@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+:PROPERTIES:
+:ID:       c0e4fb0e-68f2-4db4-8c3e-f5a7845738c3
+:END:
+#+title: Understanding comes first from memory
+#+date: "2021-05-14 11:48:20 +08:00"
+#+date_modified: "2021-05-14 12:55:29 +08:00"
+#+language: en
+
+
+Rote learning is often considered to be an inferior method of understanding a concept.
+It is often underestimated.
+You may have often hear something along the lines of "I don't want to memorize a bunch of facts but rather understand the process." or "Knowing something is different from understanding something.";
+rooted from an experience of bad teaching thus we associate memorizing a bunch of facts as bad.
+
+Knowing the related things — or memorizing a bunch of facts — is a good way to understand a concept.
+With those things in mind, you can then combine the ideas, [[id:1e135aee-0464-4756-9f55-bbf12afe8254][Chunking]] them, and innovate new ones.
+You cannot build upon more ideas if you don't know what those ideas are.
+
+- You cannot know how to read and write traditional music notation if you don't want to memorize the order of the notes or the meaning of various symbols.
+  You can't put your finger why Undertale's music ties altogether with familiarity in its entire soundtrack or why [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdDeufxfJeE][Baka Mitai sounds very good]].
+
+- Don't expect to have a good time comprehending derivatives if you don't know how to get the missing values from a system of equations or don't know what is a function.
+
+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.

2021-05-14-12-15-54.org

@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+:PROPERTIES:
+:ID:       114b7874-6a20-49c8-be2c-46970c7110dc
+:END:
+#+title: Information is only acquired when you try to make sense of it
+#+date: "2021-05-14 12:15:54 +08:00"
+#+date_modified: "2021-05-14 13:02:45 +08:00"
+#+language: en
+
+
+# TODO: Improve note
+No matter how many articles, videos, and images you read, information only stays in the author's intent until you take the time to make sense of it.
+
+- experimentation, trying out through examples, documenting your process
+- this is the reason why we write notes, document a project, or asking questions to the author
+- the information will never be 100% of the author's intention
+- context and environment is just different in subtle ways
+- just the key ideas are important
+- reader may lead into different conclusions

2021-05-14-12-33-21.org

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+:PROPERTIES:
+:ID:       1e135aee-0464-4756-9f55-bbf12afe8254
+:END:
+#+title: Chunking
+#+date: "2021-05-14 12:33:21 +08:00"
+#+date_modified: "2021-05-14 13:02:12 +08:00"
+#+language: en
+
+
+# TODO: Improve note
+- human tendency to chunk or group items together
+- this is similar to we form memories
+- the neuroscientific process of learning is also similar: starts from learning bits of information and eventually combining them, condensing information into chunks
+- applicable on outside of the learning process: speedtyping, memorizing, problem solving, finishing a project, etc.
+- [[id:05a39f96-fb1c-4d71-9be1-fc4c2e251e8f][Start small and improve later]]

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

@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+:PROPERTIES:
+:ID:       06df5d69-12ac-4e98-8013-ac54d29aa80c
+:END:
+#+title: Learning process
+#+date: "2021-05-14 12:37:18 +08:00"
+#+date_modified: "2021-05-14 12:55:45 +08:00"
+#+language: en
+
+
+- Know [[id:25fb4ebf-2cc4-40fe-93ad-37a79aedfb41][The basics of memory]].
+
+- [[id:c0e4fb0e-68f2-4db4-8c3e-f5a7845738c3][Understanding comes first from memory]] — that is, starting from rote learning.
+
+- Consider other learning techniques.
+  + [[id:063dfd73-dbf5-437b-b6f1-d7aeca196f31][Spaced repetition]] is often considered to be a better method of memorization.
+  + Know how [[id:cb995494-302f-4666-b56f-ea20a8adea10][Memory palace]] is helpful in learning newer concepts.
+
+- 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]].