ESS Podcast Episode 018

Winston coming to peace after overcoming perfectionism, free learning in China

Episode018

Golden Nuggets

0:04:00 Make an effort very small, a matter of seconds.

Summary

In this podcast episode, the hosts discuss the evolution of their approach to incremental reading and overcoming perfectionism. They highlight the effectiveness of small, quick edits using a Vim script to counter perfectionism tendencies. The host emphasizes the importance of finding peace with one's learning style and acknowledges that perfectionism can sometimes be beneficial. They also reflect on their journey with SuperMemo, noting a shift from multiple collection deletions to maintaining multiple collections successfully.

The hosts discuss their approach to merging projects into their main SuperMemo collection. They talk about how they integrate job-related material, such as tutoring notes, into their collections. The conversation touches on subjects like high school topics, including biology, chemistry, physics, and English. Winston, reveals that he has shown his face in recent Chinese SuperMemo community events. They reflect on the evolution of their SuperMemo usage, with a particular emphasis on the benefits of writing collections and the importance of managing the incremental reading process effectively.

The hosts discuss the significance of writing in their SuperMemo workflow, emphasizing its creative and therapeutic aspects. They highlight how writing is an iterative process, promoting a sense of peace and individuality in learning. The conversation touches on the ongoing process of modifying their Vim script and acknowledges that perfectionism is subjective and personal. They also talk about the possibility of creating personalized learning software in the future.

The hosts reflect on the dangers of perfectionism and the tendency to compare oneself to others. They discuss how this mentality can stem from competitive environments and scarcity of resources. They emphasize the importance of self-reflection and finding joy in the learning process. They also touch on the pressure to attend prestigious universities and how it may not always align with optimal learning strategies.

The conversation delves into the challenges of the Chinese education system, where there is immense pressure to excel academically. The guest reflects on how Winston was fortunate to have more freedom and supportive parents, allowing him to explore various subjects and eventually become a freelance tutor. They emphasize the importance of pursuing one's passions and not getting lost in predefined goals. They also discuss the cultural differences in understanding terms like "journal" and "diary" and how writing in their native language triggered negative school memories, while writing in English offered a fresh perspective. The host expresses interest for Winston in writing articles or a book to inspire others, highlighting their journey from struggling in elementary school to achieving proficiency in multiple subjects and languages.

The guest expresses frustration with the Chinese education system and its emphasis on rote learning and standardized tests. They observe that many people in China, despite suffering from the system, still hold it in high regard, possibly due to a form of Stockholm syndrome. The guest believes that learning another language, like English, is crucial for gaining a broader perspective and accessing a wider range of knowledge. They find it challenging to connect with individuals who are solely focused on their country and its education system. The guest also touches on the difficulty of breaking free from the system's constraints and the importance of role models who have succeeded outside of the traditional educational path. They emphasize the need for more narratives and examples of individuals who have pursued free learning and found success in China. The host highlights the importance of sharing such stories to create a domino effect that could lead to a shift in societal attitudes towards education and learning. They conclude that self-directed learning, focused on one's interests and passions, is the key to meaningful education.