Introduction

Whenever I encountered something new that caught my attention in some way, I dedicated myself to learning it. This was true for my school studies, guitar, computing, chess, and other activities. My interests are varied (those who know me, know this), and what sustains all of this is my curiosity. I always say that the foundation for someone studying any field of human knowledge is curiosity, and being a curious person allows me to outline some tips on the matter.

Curiosity

Curiosity is something that is cultivated. Looking at the world and seeking to understand it. Not at the surface of immediate things, but "lifting the hood" and seeing how the engine works in its parts, disassembling and reassembling, noticing leftover pieces and trying to put them back together. It is a habit that, the earlier someone cultivates it, the better the result will be. Following the vehicle parallel, in my childhood, I disassembled all the toys I received. I wanted to see inside, how it was, and it didn't even cross my mind that I was actually breaking them.

It is true that some develop the habit of curiosity early on. But anyone can start cultivating this way of looking at the world, regardless of their age. The individual will have to exert more effort, of course, but it is certainly possible to consciously develop curiosity.

Why exercise curiosity? The reasons are compelling: the world is an insensitive and hostile place, simply existing in it requires us to explore it with attentive instincts; those who seek to know how the world works, survive under better conditions. But beyond the basic level of survival, there is the edifice of human knowledge, built over centuries, to help us understand the world, as well as to delight us with the capabilities of intellect. Being curious to know how this edifice was built is a philosophical act of self-determination. As Professor Clóvis de Barros said in a famous viral video: "How can I not understand?" This is the spirit of curiosity: the desire to know. From this point of view, being curious and seeking knowledge is an act of pride in our capabilities; it is the manifestation of what is called élan: the enthusiasm for knowing, discovering, and eventually creating something.

Using Curiosity to Our Advantage

If you have curiosity, you already have the key to learning. Now you need to practice acquiring knowledge. In my youth, I had no contact with methods for learning: I simply consumed the sources of my desire for knowledge until I exhausted them. And how good it is that no methodology was imposed on me, nor did I impose one on myself: knowledge forms itself from chaos, no matter how counterintuitive that may seem. If you have active curiosity and time, you simply consume everything that is available to you. Knowledge forms by expanding the boundary between what is known and what is unknown. Not knowing, for someone who is curious, creates a discomfort that demands the search for filling that ignorance. This is called knowledge at the edge of chaos.

However, time is short. Not everyone has quiet and calm intervals to read and study. This is a point that generates great frustration and reflection on our condition. Allow me a moment with verses from Cruz e Souza that express this feeling of imprisonment that the world imposes on us:

"Cruel impotence, oh vain torture!
Oh useless force, human anxiety!
Oh circles, infernal madness!
Oh struggle, oh secular, insane struggle!"

We must manage our time availability effectively: there is no way to read everything, nor to study everything (oh, what a lament!). Here we need a method.

Deliberate Practice

You already know what you want to learn, you have curiosity, and you even have some time: how to start?

Well, here you can use the famous Jack the Ripper method: divide it into parts. In fact, despite this vulgar name referring to the infamous serial killer, it is scientifically known as the Cartesian method: divide it into parts and begin with the easiest ones. Descartes articulated this methodology in his work Discourse on the Method, in which he outlines four rules on which knowledge should be generated: do not accept anything as true unless it has passed the examination of reason; divide knowledge into parts; start with the simple and move to the complex; and make methodical revisions, ensuring that nothing is omitted.

But where to start if you know nothing about the area you want to study? How can you divide into parts knowledge you do not have? Well, there are two paths: the first is to look for a master, someone who already knows and can explain the way to you; the second path, that of self-taught individuals, is exploration: explore everything you have available on the subject, even without understanding; sooner or later, recognizable patterns will appear, and you will be able to structure your studies.

What I've exposed so far is the first part of the method called deliberate practice, or intentional study. First, you map the knowledge, then you divide it into parts. The ideal sequence is: tackle the topics in which you have the most difficulty and obtain immediate feedback. For example: someone learning guitar will face technical difficulties like hand positioning, finger attack, etc. Identifying these difficulties, the student should explore them, repeating until able to correct their flaws. To confirm that they have overcome these challenges, feedback is necessary: a master, whether a teacher, someone more experienced, an AI (a novelty in modern times...), or even the student themselves, with their critical sense (although they run the risk of never realizing their flaws or improvements on their own).

Deliberate practice is powerful for any area of knowledge. It differentiates individuals who stand out far above the rest, like musicians, athletes, and scientists. Many may argue about innate talent, and it may very well be an important factor for someone to achieve certain success. But even those who are privileged and possess what is called "natural talent" will still need to practice to learn.

Priorities...

The degree of success in learning a specific area is proportional to the time invested in that area using deliberate practice. Just practicing, without intention, will not guarantee learning at an expert level. Thus, the so-called myth of ten thousand hours falls apart. Engaging in an activity for years does not make someone an expert: a person who has been an engineer at a company for ten years is not automatically a senior just because of their professional tenure. If they haven't practiced their profession at the edge of chaos, expanding the boundaries of knowledge and practicing deliberately, those years have meant nothing in terms of seniority.

Devoting time to learn, exercising difficulties, and obtaining feedback is a complex task in our routine. That's why I mentioned earlier that youth is the best time to learn: if you were born into a functional family that guaranteed you the minimum sustenance, you had time to explore your curiosity. At this point, I feel a deep sympathy for those unable to obtain the necessary peace to learn due to the vicissitudes that life imposes. I wish everyone could explore their capabilities, and that there were no barriers to human potential...

As adult life progresses and the weight of routine presses upon us, it becomes necessary to define priorities: if I want to learn a new language, for example, I need to carve out non-negotiable time for deliberate practice. I need to allocate intervals of time that aren’t too far apart, as memory is another factor that interferes with learning, and only by walking a path periodically can we learn about it.

Dedicate time, practice deliberately, and the results will come. Learning is a fantastic endeavor; it enhances our skills and rejuvenates our minds. Never stop learning. Be curious, explore the world.