Learn Faster with The Feynman Technique

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  • čas přidán 21. 08. 2011
  • If you're having trouble seeing the examples, you can also download them here:
    www.scotthyoung.com/mit/801-no...
    The technique is inspired by Richard Feynman and the story I share at the beginning which is taken from his autobiography, Surely You Must Be Joking, Mr. Feynman.
    If you liked this video, subscribe to my newsletter and you can get a free ebook describing the rapid-learning ideas I discuss in this video: www.scotthyoung.com/blog/newsl...

Komentáře • 1K

  • @DavidKristoffersson
    @DavidKristoffersson Před 9 lety +1938

    My summary of the technique:
    1. Choose the concept you want to understand
    2. Take a blank piece of paper, write the name of that concept at the top of the page
    3. Explain the idea to yourself as if you were teaching it to someone who does not understand it at all
    4. Whenever you get stuck, go back to the reference material, lectures or a teacher assistant and re-read or re-learn the material until you get it enough that you can explain it on the paper
    5. Whenever you write down a wordy or a confusing explanation for something, try either to simplify the language, or create an analogy to understand it better
    (6. If you want to understand something even better or remember it even better, further try to develop, simplify and improve the explanation)
    (7. A good self-test of what you've learned is to go through your technique without looking at any reference material at any point and see if you can explain it deeply)

    • @kevinhq5049
      @kevinhq5049 Před 8 lety +17

      +David Kristoffersson Thank you very much

    • @haloassassion12
      @haloassassion12 Před 8 lety +3

      +David Kristoffersson cool

    • @zee9000_
      @zee9000_ Před 8 lety +6

      +David Kristoffersson No3 is a bit of a grey area and doesnt really make sense?

    • @chrislemus2921
      @chrislemus2921 Před 8 lety +6

      +Zeeke Try teaching an idea to someone thats a good way to learn.

    • @mydogskips2
      @mydogskips2 Před 8 lety +3

      +Zeeke I agree, I have a hang up on that one as well.
      Either I understand it and cannot explain it to myself as though I don't understand it, or I do not understand it and can't possibly explain it to myself or anyone else.
      I suppose logically the first one is possible, that I could understand something and thus be able to explain it to myself as though I didn't understand it and were trying to teach my uninformed self about it.
      I do understand what's trying to be said here, which is to simply try explaining it to yourself(or someone else who knows nothing about it) in clear, simple terms so that they could understand it.

  • @RacetSmith
    @RacetSmith Před 8 lety +1020

    I just used the Feynman Technique to Learn the Feynman Technique!

  • @anirbanc88
    @anirbanc88 Před 2 lety +87

    1:25 STEP ONE: CHOOSE YOUR CONCEPT
    1:37 STEP TWO: PRETEND YOU'RE TEACHING THE IDEA TO A NEW STUDENT
    1:57 STEP THREE: IF YOU GET STUCK, GO BACK TO THE BOOK
    2:20 STEP FOUR: SIMPLIFY AND CREATE ANALOGIES

    • @nicksomeonesson
      @nicksomeonesson Před 5 měsíci +2

      STEP 1: SECURE THE KEYS
      STEP 2: ASCEND FROM DARKNESS
      STEP 3: RAIN FIRE
      STEP 4: UNLEASH THE HORDE
      STEP 5: SKEWER THE WINGED BEAST
      STEP 6: WIELD A FIST OF IRON
      STEP 7: RAISE HELL
      STEP 8: FREEDOM

  • @seancloser
    @seancloser Před 7 lety +713

    Just realised I ve been using this technique unknowingly all the time.

  • @kevingeaney7741
    @kevingeaney7741 Před 7 lety +256

    I am not highly educated, in fact I dropped out of school when I was 16, however I have been using my own method, which is very very close to what you discribe, for years. I imagine I am writing a letter to someone who would understand the subject if I explained it clearly enough. Usually the problem is resolved before I get to the end of the page, however if not, I put it aside for a day or two and then I read it OUT LOUD to myself. works every time for me! even on personal / relationship problems.

    • @olfssen
      @olfssen Před 5 lety +5

      Kevin Geaney if you want to master a skill , teach it quoted Feynman

    • @ompatel958
      @ompatel958 Před 4 lety +9

      Geaney Technique🙌

    • @kevingeaney7741
      @kevingeaney7741 Před 4 lety +2

      @@olfssen "He who can - does, he who cannot - teaches." G.B.Shaw, from his play "Man and Superman" 😁

    • @themorningstar8980
      @themorningstar8980 Před 3 lety +4

      First of all education doesn't matter much your learning through out the life from your experiences counts.🙂🙂
      Secondly I think this is more like writing a diary and read it afterwards.🙂🙂🙂

    • @ompatel958
      @ompatel958 Před 3 lety

      @@themorningstar8980 true

  • @zeinhanouneh6812
    @zeinhanouneh6812 Před 7 lety +21

    I never knew this technique. But, I just realized I've been using it for the last 2 years in my biology classes especially. Definitely effective!

  • @Horrigmo
    @Horrigmo Před 8 lety +202

    Instead of asking a young Richard what he learned at school, his parents would ask him "What questions did you ask today?".
    The most curious man I've heard of, and a true inspiration.

    • @-dale2051
      @-dale2051 Před 3 lety +1

      Yeah, I should put his and Einstein's pictures on my wall.

  • @warriormanhasdied6479
    @warriormanhasdied6479 Před 7 lety +14

    I didn't at all know this feynman technique, but this is essentially how I do note taking.

  • @verisimilitudeteller
    @verisimilitudeteller Před 8 lety +22

    I've used the visualization technique as if I were teaching what I just learned or read to get it into my head better. I've done this for 25-30 years, but never encountered it either as a named technique or was taught it, I just kinda came up with it myself.
    This is more elaborately laid out than what I do, but I love the idea that I came up with something so close to what a genius like Feynman. I usually do it "on the fly" I'll read a few paragraphs of something and then give a quick lesson to the classroom in my head, rewording what I just learned. By explaining it with my own choice of words it really makes things stick.

    • @jonijokunen3542
      @jonijokunen3542 Před 7 lety +2

      me too. I also used to actually explain complex physics stuff to my 10-year old brother.

    • @verisimilitudeteller
      @verisimilitudeteller Před 7 lety +1

      joni jokunen Makes you break it down into the most simple of terms too I'm sure. Which of course helps your own comprehension of the material.

    • @Curiousnessify
      @Curiousnessify Před 7 lety +1

      You didnt come up with shit, these are thoughts in the collective mind that pops into people's heads sometimes when they need it. its always there and everyone has access to it depending on situations, but few take advantage of it. Its foolish to say that "you" invented or came up with it when in fact it just popped into your head without your consent, just like it did with Feynman and many others.

    • @verisimilitudeteller
      @verisimilitudeteller Před 7 lety

      Curiousnessify I did come up with it, I never said I was the first to come up with it, And it's not a collective mind, but rather parallel thinking.

    • @Curiousnessify
      @Curiousnessify Před 7 lety

      Christopher Snow really? so you just said hey ill come up with some technique and created it out of thin air? Or an idea just popped into your head when you needed it and something in you claimed it as "I came up with it." In reality "you" had nothing to do with it, it just happened. Do "you" also digest your food?

  • @solidstatejake
    @solidstatejake Před 9 lety +4

    Hey, Scott! I deeply appreciate you introducing both Feynman, and this concept of his to me. Without this video I don't know when it would be that I would have come into contact with it. Again, I cannot stress enough how appreciative I am. Thank you, my friend.

  • @HB-kl5ik
    @HB-kl5ik Před 2 lety +2

    Scott thank you!
    Since 2014, you are the one who introduced me and many others to productivity. Even before it was a thing. No matter how many mainstream creators come and go, you are the king! You have been the benefactor, and I come back again to this video to pay my respects.
    Thank you for being a huge part of our growth journies.

    • @HB-kl5ik
      @HB-kl5ik Před 2 lety

      FML spelling, emotions spoiling spellings are customary.

  • @mikehagerty9666
    @mikehagerty9666 Před 7 lety +43

    So, to study for a test you should try to understand the concepts and material ? Wow, that's genius!

    • @Roescoe
      @Roescoe Před 7 lety +32

      *through explaining them as if there were another person trying to learn them
      (you forgot the second half there, buddy)

    • @clray123
      @clray123 Před 7 lety +5

      In our primary school it used to b called "explain in your own words".

  • @ripperduck
    @ripperduck Před 9 lety +93

    Three of the most important concepts that you will need in order to understand both physics and math, and how they work together.
    1. All physics, in fact, all science, occurs with a change in energy. That's what they mean when they say physics happens at the margin. They say that in economics, as well. They'll say it, but I have yet to have one professor explain it. A margin graphically depicts where there is a change. So, there must be an energy change in order to have physics. That's why we have potential and kinetic energy. Think of the word 'potential.' It means latent, or the capacity to do something. To do what? Move, or become kinetic. Science is basically the study of the catalysts which create that change.
    2. Calculus was created in order to measure the physical changes that take place with an alternating energy. Differential calc tells us where that change took place, ala the limits of a function, and integral calc tells us the aggregate energy during a certain time frame.
    3. Know the concept of a pure number. This may be the most important math concept of them all. If you're thinking you've never heard of a pure number, well, yes, you have. It goes by other names, ratios, percentages, fractions, degrees or radians of an angle, slope of a line, exponents and logarithms, derivatives, entropy, etc.
    As you can see, the pure number covers so many topics. So what is it? Pure numbers are numbers without units or dimensions, they have no quantities, they are not the number of any one thing. Instead, they're ratios, and ratios are comparisons, and what did we learn back in the first grade? We compare likes to like. For instance, in thermodynamic entropy, heat is the numerator, temperature is the denominator, both are forms of energy, so the SI units cancel, and you're left with a pure number. So what? Well, temperature can be thought of as potential energy, heat is the kinetic form of temperature. One has to be converted into the other in order to have physics, or in this case, the capacity to do work. Think of a dam, with a giant reservoir of water. It aint doing anything as long as the gates are locked. But open the gates, the water starts charging out, so you get a change from potential energy to kinetic. That change allows turbines to move, therefore, work is being done, and work is just another word for energy. But until there is an energy change, nothing happens, electricity isn't generated, electrons don't move, heat isn't created with those moving electrons, the force of friction of the wire against the moving electrons cannot generate heat, which is yet another energy change, none of that can take place until the initial energy is altered. Entropy is a number that tells us how much of the beginning energy has been transformed into another form. In science, you need to measure where something began, and where it ended up, in order to gauge and evaluate what your system is doing, if your engineering and thinking is actually playing out as you though it would.
    You can go a long way with just understanding those three concepts, primarily because it tells you WHY these things work and WHY they're important. Real knowledge is gained when you know the why of things. But you'll have a hell of a time finding a textbook that will tell you the why of things mathematical or scientific.....

    • @harehnkaundun1406
      @harehnkaundun1406 Před 8 lety +4

      +ripperduck and here's a piece of knowledge in the comment section :-) thx for the info. but u are writing too much where people don't care. u'd be better off investing ur precious time elsewhere

    • @ripperduck
      @ripperduck Před 8 lety +15

      Harehn Kaundun I was a physics teacher, so I tend to lecture. Force of habit, but I was hoping that anyone interested in watching the OP would also want to know how horrible American science/math teaching methods have become. But you're probably right....

    • @harehnkaundun1406
      @harehnkaundun1406 Před 8 lety +4

      That explains ur knack to explain. well u get a grateful thank u from a satisfied student. :-D
      i didn't mean to discourage u but most people skip over lengthy pieces of information :-/

    • @ripperduck
      @ripperduck Před 8 lety +5

      Harehn Kaundun You're absolutely right. Much different in a classroom setting than a comments section. I need to know the difference. Thanks!!!!

    • @rapelpecho
      @rapelpecho Před 8 lety +1

      Thanks!

  • @DEVIL2556
    @DEVIL2556 Před 9 lety +6

    excellent. ill add few points.
    1.dont ask doubts to those who use complex terms to explain a concept WITHOUT EXPLAINING THE COMPLEX TERM.they can screw what u might have already learnt.
    2. yes. learning takes time.when we learn,we touch ourself.we ask ourself questions and are truly convinced when we find the explanation.afterall we cant lie to ourself.crammers tend to obediently gulp down info given in the material as there is no enough time to challenge wat is given there,nor does in matter in exam where all its important is marks. but yes,for learning it does.
    3.joy of learning,curiosity. when we learn out of curiosity,,the concept stays with us forever,as when curious we pay full attention to scavenge every possible detail and understand the concept.
    4. pull imagination and visualization into learning.its awesome! and it helps to retain long.and making things little funny and amusing makes it stick in mind long!

  • @FilhoLouco
    @FilhoLouco Před 9 lety +6

    Excellent video! Today i catch myself studying calculus 2 (Taylor Polynomials), and when i started to explain the things to me, i realised that i didn't have truly understood previous concepts like tangent line. And now i am getting a better base of math and the concepts are easier to understand.

  • @deryl5710
    @deryl5710 Před 4 lety +64

    "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." - Albert Einstein

    • @TheFalsoblanco
      @TheFalsoblanco Před 3 lety

      Did he actually said that ? his relativity theory is not at all easy to understand...

    • @izvarzone
      @izvarzone Před 3 lety +4

      "Don't belive random quotes in internet" - Albert Einstein, 1337 A.D.

    • @deryl5710
      @deryl5710 Před 3 lety

      @@izvarzone LMAO 😆 you just made my day buddy

  • @VictorFoote01
    @VictorFoote01 Před 7 lety +6

    I remember watching this years ago! I wonder why it appeared on my recommended again. It seems to have been a pattern recently. Old videos keep popping up. But this is a good one!

  • @humblehobbit
    @humblehobbit Před 9 lety +6

    Here is one tip to remember while studying, humans are better programmed to remember visual images as opposed to arbitrary words and numbers. The more prominent the image, the more memorable it becomes. Incorporate this by means of association.

    • @BluEN1111
      @BluEN1111 Před 8 lety

      +Humble Hobbit he already said this, "give an example/analogy"

    • @harshwilly
      @harshwilly Před 8 lety

      +Humble Hobbit there are two main techniques: visual and hearing. Visual is reinforced by note-taking and illustrating as his "Feynman technique" shows above. But humans have known for thousands of years that audible works too - especially reinforced with rhyme, rhythm and/or music. As for Feynman, while he no doubt made use of the tools at hand, a lot was simply clicking away between his ears, like the fine-tuned machine it was.

  • @nothankyou5524
    @nothankyou5524 Před 5 lety +1

    Having voluntarily entered into the third self educational program (at least this time it was voluntary), I am finding your insight and instruction from both your website, your downloads, and videos, invaluable.

  • @arnav1638
    @arnav1638 Před 7 lety +2

    This video changed my life

  • @meldavid8993
    @meldavid8993 Před 8 lety +4

    I did this exact technique for biology and would talk out loud as if I'm giving a lecture and I also taught it to my friends. I got one of the best marks in class.
    I also didn't do as well in one of my midterms (I worked hard and felt as thought I understood everything) but when I went to explain it to a friend I realized I actually didn't understand everything

  • @Mutantcy1992
    @Mutantcy1992 Před 7 lety +6

    I use a similar technique in essay writing. Instead of doing a rigid outline, I will open up notepad and essentially go on a typing rant, as if someone asked me what my essay was going to be about and I had just polished off a six pack.
    Putting the ideas out there in simple terms allows you to build up complex ideas around them.

  • @SuperDrRockzo
    @SuperDrRockzo Před 11 lety +2

    Same here, I ended up doing this for just about every class within my first semester of college. It's straightforward and practical.

  • @luvmyTM1911
    @luvmyTM1911 Před 11 lety +1

    I have been doing this for a while unknowingly. I used to study with my gf and teacher her a lot of the concepts so it forced me to simplify the concepts for her to understand. Since she switched majors I haven't used this technique and find my self studying harder not smarter. Interesting that it had a name I didn't know it was a special technique. Great video! Very informative, your tone was great, you made efficient use of 4min really outstanding presentation. Keep up the good work!

  • @UntakenNick
    @UntakenNick Před 7 lety +28

    Actual video starts at 1:18..

  • @CrazyeyesDark
    @CrazyeyesDark Před 8 lety +9

    I thought that's how everyone studied... Now I understand why my classmates cram entire sentences before history exams!

    • @Hydroxyium
      @Hydroxyium Před 8 lety +4

      yeah fuck toy

    • @CrazyeyesDark
      @CrazyeyesDark Před 8 lety +10

      Hydroxyium Videos I'm starting to understand CZcams comments less and less every day. It's probably just me.

    • @Hydroxyium
      @Hydroxyium Před 8 lety +5

      haha yeah i tried typing something else, but it autocorrected a lot. i would have fixed it, but i thought it was funny that it autocorrected to that, so i sent it

    • @CrazyeyesDark
      @CrazyeyesDark Před 8 lety

      Hydroxyium Videos Really strange spawn of autocorrect... Quite entertaining!

  • @jimviau327
    @jimviau327 Před 11 lety +1

    Scott, Thank you very much for this quick lecture. I find it very intelligent and educational. I do that naturally (almost) but now that it has been explained to me in such a clear presentation I find it easy to practice and very efficient. Thanks again

  • @artiesolomon3292
    @artiesolomon3292 Před 9 lety

    the use of analogies and simpler words to describe something you're trying to learn is an excellent suggestion. speed in everything, especially comprehension is vital in today's society. we want to balance this with a few minutes each day quieting our minds through some form of mindfulness or meditation. good luck in all things.

  • @StephenABalaban
    @StephenABalaban Před 9 lety +129

    I can't find a single source online that shows that this technique was actually used by Feynman. Is there a book or other source that you can cite?

    • @aliar5570
      @aliar5570 Před 9 lety +67

      Feynman promoted the idea of understanding things, not memorizing things. This technique is not "his", but he's got a good name and promoted the basic concept of this.
      If you memorize something, explain it to yourself until you understand it. only then do you understand.

    • @aliar5570
      @aliar5570 Před 9 lety +5

      i61.tinypic.com/etgntj.jpg

    • @ScottHYoungVid
      @ScottHYoungVid  Před 9 lety +73

      The technique is inspired by Feynman, not used directly by him. I was inspired by the story I shared in the beginning to formulate his more informal approach into a method. You can see him talk about understanding the math ideas in his book "Surely You Must Be Joking, Mr. Feynman"

    • @benrrich8387
      @benrrich8387 Před 8 lety +3

      Inspiring book, HORRIBLE reader.. get mp3 version@ tinyurl . com \ nh9y7ma . remove spaces.

    • @MahmudHossain52x
      @MahmudHossain52x Před 8 lety

      hey ,if anyone else wants to uncover ways to improve memory try Elumpa Simple Studying Alchemist (do a search on google ) ? Ive heard some amazing things about it and my co-worker got cool results with it.

  • @project-pe6ly
    @project-pe6ly Před 10 lety +12

    critique of pure reason hits the limit of my understanding

    • @erikal85
      @erikal85 Před 10 lety +3

      Maybe that's because it's not possible to understand it, it could be nonsense.

    • @crookedkid23
      @crookedkid23 Před 10 lety +3

      Kant wrote the Critique of Pure Reason not as a textbook for students but as an academic work meant for professional philosophers and metaphysicians. This means Kant's language is very specific. When he says "intuition" or "understanding" the words have a more specialized meaning than when we use them in everyday life. The biggest initial hurdle for reading Kant is learning the jargon. It's like learning a new language. Start with explaining to yourself what Kant means by words like a priori, a posteriori, synthetic, analytic, judgement, understanding, and intuition before diagramming his arguments. A Kant dictionary is helpful here. Also don't expect total understanding of the work the first time through. So long as you gain something you're making progress. Trust me. Once you start to understand what he's saying, reading Kant becomes embarrassingly fun.

    • @angryjalapeno
      @angryjalapeno Před 10 lety

      Why bother with such abstract nonsense that bears no fruit?

    • @dreamsofmishra
      @dreamsofmishra Před 10 lety +1

      A Jalapeño The process of learning itself is the fruit you receive.

    • @crookedkid23
      @crookedkid23 Před 10 lety +2

      A Jalapeño
      Kant is a big name in both analytic and continental philosophy, so if you want to read any contemporary Western philosophy it helps to have an understanding of him. Beyond philosophy, a surprising amount of political science references Kant (even his metaphysics). He's read in law school. His ethical system is one of the few still taken seriously today and, since he was a systematic thinker, his ethics is supposed to follow from his metaphysics. I've also encountered him in film theory and aesthetics. No, reading Kant isn't going to help you cure cancer or build a spaceship, but he will give you a better understanding of the intellectual history of the society you live in today.

  • @GardenStateDigital
    @GardenStateDigital Před 10 lety

    The fact that this technique is simple and effective makes it pure gold.

  • @johnsteward4060
    @johnsteward4060 Před 10 lety +1

    I have been using this technique for my studying in calculus; I just jump straight to the concept I'm curious about, do research, and put my findings on paper, the idea stays permanently in my mind as I actually work with the concept.

  • @EveryDayLifeChannel9777
    @EveryDayLifeChannel9777 Před 7 lety +63

    Soooooooo...take notes as usual! got it. This was so enlightening.

    • @Stray0
      @Stray0 Před 7 lety +2

      Yeah, kinda expected more from the title.

    • @EveryDayLifeChannel9777
      @EveryDayLifeChannel9777 Před 7 lety

      ***** That's the only way I've ever taken notes buddy.

    • @TheRightGuy777
      @TheRightGuy777 Před 7 lety +2

      That's because you're a dumbass

    • @boxxer221
      @boxxer221 Před 7 lety +6

      You aren't taking notes when you use this technique, you are writing your own notes. They may sound like the same thing but they aren't.

    • @EveryDayLifeChannel9777
      @EveryDayLifeChannel9777 Před 7 lety +1

      boxxer221 Lol

  • @MrRayne911
    @MrRayne911 Před 7 lety +5

    Well, I have been doing this for years after hearing a quote, I don't remember from who. "if you can't explain it, then you don't understand it". Although understanding principles is not the same as solving problems as problems have many underwater rocks that are not noticeable in just explanations.

  • @jackdawcaw4514
    @jackdawcaw4514 Před 6 lety +1

    Some people here seem to think that it is about understanding the concepts. It isn't. It's about finding out what you think you understand but actually don't, so you can act on it. We often think we understand things because it's our own mind looking at itself. When we start writing an explanation in simple language that anyone could understand, is when we will find the holes in our understanding. That's the whole point - not the motivation to understand, but how you go about getting there with greater certainty and less bias.

  • @diablominero
    @diablominero Před 5 lety

    On the one hand I already knew this. On the other hand, I love Feynman, so any mention of him gets an upvote.

  • @rentabledwarf578
    @rentabledwarf578 Před 7 lety +225

    Video starts at 1:19

  • @DataLog
    @DataLog Před 7 lety +3

    The Feynman Technique is the same tecqnique I used normally. It's a good way. Now on chemistry practicals I choose a less educated colleague and I teach him. Best way to fundamentally understand anything.

  • @MoosGoCow1
    @MoosGoCow1 Před 7 lety +2

    Apparently I've been doing this my whole life. Well that explains a lot.

  • @cngzz1zyvov
    @cngzz1zyvov Před 10 lety

    Excellent advice!

  • @judahroy5461
    @judahroy5461 Před 9 lety +3

    Very good technique good video..... appreciate it

  • @lebarosky
    @lebarosky Před 7 lety +5

    I am a lawyer. This is precisely what you must do in order to pass the essay portion of the bar examination: explain legal concepts in words of eighth grade level or below.

  • @WarriorOfPiece
    @WarriorOfPiece Před 7 lety

    Thank you for the video Scott!

  • @fiveredpears
    @fiveredpears Před 10 lety +1

    I prefer Murray Gell-Mann's account of Feynman's technique. A student once asked Gell-Mann what the Feynman method was for solving a problem they were looking at. Gell-Mann answered that the Feynamn method was this: you write down a problem, you think about it real hard, you write down the answer.

  • @wolfgangamadeusmozart7067
    @wolfgangamadeusmozart7067 Před 8 lety +14

    ALL MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS SHOULD BE FORCED TO WATCH THISThis goes for teaching first, formal and informal; and next to students, who feel something is above their heads

  • @eferrari96
    @eferrari96 Před 7 lety +67

    when you get this video as recommended but your exams are already over😅 I try it out next semester.

  • @briteflames
    @briteflames Před 9 lety +1

    This is a great technique. I'm using this study technique to breakdown and understand the theories I need for my PMP Exam. Trying it out on Quality Principles first and ITS WORKING!!!! This video is BEST 4 min I've spent all day!

  • @mahad4866
    @mahad4866 Před 9 lety

    This is a very good advice. I remember explaining a math problem to my sister which i had problems with earlier and when i did that evrything became easier and more managable.

  • @quarkonium
    @quarkonium Před 12 lety +8

    Excellent stuff. I've been a huge fan of Feynman and I realized I've implicitly used this while taking notes on philosophy and social theory (which I am majoring in now).
    In my opinion however, depth and speed are mutually exclusive. And this has helped me learn deeper, not necessarily faster. And I'm glad that I slow down because of this, especially when going through difficult texts.

  • @PaleBlueDott
    @PaleBlueDott Před 10 lety +4

    Lets take history for example.We try to learn things written from the book,but we never write them down the way we understand them.If you divide concepts or ideas or simply descriptions of a page and learn them one by one,in order,everything will be sorted out and stored in your head,much more easily and better than cramming whole pages who may not even bear.

  • @programagor
    @programagor Před 12 lety

    I discovered this method of learning while tutoring my friends. I usually prepare a piece of paper with all the information necessary to understand something, with nice drawings, diagrams and very simple explanations, and it is usually enough for them to understand it. Creating these papers helps me to understand everything very clearly, because otherwise I wouldn't be able to explain it clearly.

  • @odinmp5
    @odinmp5 Před 11 lety

    i have used this method this afternoon and it has worked wonders.
    thanks.

  • @LeTtRrZ
    @LeTtRrZ Před 7 lety +3

    Why teachers don't teach with this technique in mind is beyond me.

  • @NareshUgaonkar
    @NareshUgaonkar Před 7 lety +38

    i have been doing this my whole life.

  • @genius_miyuki
    @genius_miyuki Před 3 lety

    Thank you for your suggestion.
    I do it.

  • @JasmineJu
    @JasmineJu Před 7 lety +2

    Wow, this is what I've been doing for years, I usually take notes after lectures using this method.

  • @descendant0fdragons
    @descendant0fdragons Před 7 lety +9

    I always abide the Einstein rule. Einstein says something like this: If u can tell something/ theory in ur own words to another person then u know what ur talking about thus understanding the topic.

  • @alechaynes4377
    @alechaynes4377 Před 7 lety +10

    I already do this in my head. Maybe it will be easier to write stuff down for complex stuff.

  • @tarikarifhodzic3334
    @tarikarifhodzic3334 Před rokem

    Didn't know this was a proper technique until now! Since I constantly talk to myself I've been accidentally using it without knowing for years

  • @jonted1
    @jonted1 Před 7 lety

    Thanks so much for this information

  • @primeirocapitulo
    @primeirocapitulo Před 7 lety +20

    This is that "teaching is the best way of learning" thing right? But, instead of writing everything down i prefer just explain to a empty chair out load, i think works the same way

  • @vroomie
    @vroomie Před 7 lety +51

    He says, Try explaining it- whatever you're trying to understand - to yourself in the simplest language.
    There. Saved you four minutes.

    • @razwanahmed89
      @razwanahmed89 Před 7 lety +3

      shivansh srivastava and use an anecdote

  • @TheWeightOutdoors
    @TheWeightOutdoors Před 10 měsíci

    “Surely you’re joking, Mr Feynman” is a brilliant read.

  • @jflopezfernandez
    @jflopezfernandez Před 7 lety

    Great video, thank you

  • @ashwalk85
    @ashwalk85 Před 7 lety +24

    You can't learn something only by teaching it to yourself without understanding it first.
    You can make a lot of mistakes this way.
    For example, you associated "torque" with "corkscrew" and "righty-tighty/lefty-loosey" and the latter 2 concepts are not inherent to the former.
    We learn by linking ideas; if one of them is faulty from start, the result can be a lasting, if not permanent, erroneous opinion - which will lead to confusion and indecision when solving problems associated with it.
    You can however combine this "technique" (teaching yourself) with a scientific method mindset, to experiment and evaluate - and intermittently check reliable sources - in order to achieve great, accurate results and a very efficient learning process.
    Also, learning from concepts instead of memorizing difficult words (or formulas) is awesome, and everyone should check what Feynman has to say about this in other videos, but you should definitely not shy away from unknown vocabulary. Instead, try to understand the word's origins and the meaning of it's components. Look for its _etymology_ (from the Greek _etumon_, meaning "true sense", and _logia_ meaning "the study of" - which comes from _logos_, meaning "word, explanation". See, It's fun).

    • @KingXKok
      @KingXKok Před 7 lety

      i think the right left were analogies to link torque to a real world example he can easily remember

    • @LightningForce4427
      @LightningForce4427 Před 7 lety +4

      I agree fully. If you aim to "teach to yourself" a concept you are unfamiliar with, doing this is next to useless. A solid foundation in taught fact is necessary before anyone can do this.

    • @fatetestarossa2774
      @fatetestarossa2774 Před 7 lety

      indeed DevilDude4427

    • @seigeengine
      @seigeengine Před 7 lety +1

      The entire point is to force you to break the idea down to avoid all the ambiguity of compound concepts.
      Also, you might want to not comment if you don't understand what analogies are.

    • @leagueofnoobslel9261
      @leagueofnoobslel9261 Před 7 lety +1

      No matter what note taking method you use. You can learn something wrong.

  • @Eyenn_n
    @Eyenn_n Před 7 lety +3

    Great Video! Thank you so much for the techniques!
    And... Technically, torque is not force. It measures the effect of a force... but it's not force itself

  • @SBGames8
    @SBGames8 Před 7 lety +1

    This is what I do to work things out in my head. Have a dialogue with myself about the concept to see if I truly understand.

  • @cooldallasshields3439
    @cooldallasshields3439 Před 6 lety +1

    It's simply internal dialogue and meditative technique, I have randomly stumbled upon this thinking while trying to grasp history. Although, I use it to very slow effect, it has helped me with memory and confidence. I started recently reading Hegel and other challenging text, and have just recording the process. Over time you would start to get a deeper appreciation for the activity and start seeing more complex interactions.

  • @rogiebangquiao7360
    @rogiebangquiao7360 Před 4 lety +3

    Okay. I just realised that I've been using, doing it rather for a long time.

  • @KDD8
    @KDD8 Před 7 lety +127

    How can this be applied to studying women?

    • @pw7225
      @pw7225 Před 7 lety +37

      The technique would break.

    • @exbladex99
      @exbladex99 Před 7 lety +10

      It can be... but women are a very complicated concept that arbitrarily changes frequently based on not just genetics & nurture... but also mood... and this mood may or may not be under turbo mode because of mood disorders or estrogen levels.
      Really a struggle in understanding women is a struggle with the disease known as estrogen in order to match the perfect vision of a boyfriend the woman is trying to find. In order to skip these extra steps you have to be either surrounded by other women worshiping you (perhaps paying prostitutes and taking instagram photos), or you have to be a male model so that you are no longer graded on this arbitrary grading scale.

    • @KDD8
      @KDD8 Před 7 lety +2

      Logician What if i look like a potato

    • @exbladex99
      @exbladex99 Před 7 lety +5

      Hakasauars then you need to find Mrs. Potato

    • @KDD8
      @KDD8 Před 7 lety +7

      Logician Don't you mean Miss potato?

  • @kunaals4105
    @kunaals4105 Před 9 lety +1

    Hey i've been practically using the same technique for years without realising it had a name to it! Found this strategy specially useful in getting though Med School.

  • @DoctorFastest
    @DoctorFastest Před 12 lety

    You offer good advice for someone who has trouble keeping straight what they know and what they don't. (Admittedly this can be tricky sometimes. Especially in technical subjects, where sometimes people worry too much about vocabulary which they don't fully understand, rather than the ideas this vocabulary expresses).
    But certainly this is not the ONLY moral of the Feynman topology story - in fact, that story is very much a testament to his genius.

  • @NigelPK
    @NigelPK Před 7 lety +30

    But when should I use this technique exactly. With all the books I need to learn I don´t have time to do this for every section.

    • @Cronuz2
      @Cronuz2 Před 7 lety +13

      When you need to understand, not memorize.
      You don't truly understand a subject unless you can simplify it and explain it to a 10 year old.

    • @NigelPK
      @NigelPK Před 7 lety +6

      I understand that, but almost all information has a meaning at college. So that would mean you have to use the technique for almost everything.

    • @tooshortnickname
      @tooshortnickname Před 7 lety +1

      that´s true, there is no time to simplify "unfold" every point. I´ll try this method, but looks like its not working for complex probs.

    • @Cronuz2
      @Cronuz2 Před 7 lety

      Nigel PK read and try to understand a complete subject.
      Then afterwards simplify it down to 1-7 smaller concepts which you can use this technique on.
      or if possible, the entire field, depending on what you study.

    • @thetruthalwaysscary
      @thetruthalwaysscary Před 7 lety +1

      Your brain works better the more you use it in stimulative ways. If you just take a huge amount of material and try to jam it down it will be like when you go to gym and try to work out for 10 hrs straight. You take time and mix up this technique and regular studies and memorization and it speeds up somewhat. You dont have time? Yes, if your house burning and you want to pick up a book and learn how to find the fastest escape rout out...is too late, otherwise, the "no time" is bs.

  • @GabrielaChirila88
    @GabrielaChirila88 Před 10 lety +52

    How can I explain to myself ideas that I didn't understand?...

    • @AndyX
      @AndyX Před 10 lety +25

      s

    • @Rocketbunny180sx
      @Rocketbunny180sx Před 10 lety +19

      You should re-read/re-learn the idea until you start to build some kind of image in your head.
      Only then take out some paper and write it down or draw it. The act of writing/drawing may spark some additional ideas or may clarify the concept. Additionally, it makes a great difference to compare your ideas to other real world scenarios.

    • @SomaVIII
      @SomaVIII Před 10 lety +4

      I believe and tests prove the PQRST method works best with reading material, Preview the contents (perhaps a table of contents), Question what you will learn (How do neurons communicate), Read (read the chapter, watch the lecture), Summarize ([method of this video], neurons are electrically charged and once they reach their positive electron limit they emit chemicals through the synapse and pass it over to the next neuron) and Test (for my example I'd choose different types of neurons and their functions). Personally I'd recommend studying learning from a psychological approach (mnemonics), but I'm bias with that because I have an interest in psychology but it has helped my computer science, biology, psychology, neurology, and programming skill-sets. Also try binural waves while studying I find them useful at times.

    • @SomaVIII
      @SomaVIII Před 10 lety

      Now if only I could write like that for my research papers lol, and to add to the PQRST, the test subjects improved on the study subject with about an 75% increase in test scores and it is also known as the SQR3 (Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review) same concept just chose which is better for you, I like SQR3 because it reminds me of SQL (database query language, not related in anyway just the abbreviations are similar) which also reminds me link new information to existing information, you're brain will do this in your NREM sleep for you which is why sleep is great for learning, but now I'm getting way off subject.

    • @georgcantor7172
      @georgcantor7172 Před 10 lety

      Philip Rollins How do you use binural waves for studying? Is that where you record a topic on a tape recorder and play it while sleeping so that you'll retain the material at a paraconscious level?

  • @MegaKarume
    @MegaKarume Před 7 lety

    Thank you for the video.

  • @xmetalgamerx
    @xmetalgamerx Před 10 lety

    before i saw this video I'd used this technique mentally while doing tests and I've aced each one. even tests i thought i was going to do poorly on. it really is the best way to understand a concept; to pretend you're teaching it to someone else.

  • @relentlessmadman
    @relentlessmadman Před 7 lety +3

    torque twists and Incline plane into a screw, ( simple is better !) good Learning technique!

  • @freakenproduction
    @freakenproduction Před 7 lety +15

    I have a problem with this technique, what if a student thinks he understands parts of the subject, and goes to explain things to himselve, while actually writing complete nonsensical conclusions? You will always need somebody to proofcheck your "self-explanation".

    • @mjt1517
      @mjt1517 Před 7 lety +55

      Don't worry about that...he'll find out just how wrong he is on test day.

    • @Maxi3242
      @Maxi3242 Před 7 lety +1

      check it with your lecture notes or the textbook

    • @willmcpherson2
      @willmcpherson2 Před 5 lety

      That's not a problem with this technique... What kind of technique could magically stop you from being wrong?

    • @geico105
      @geico105 Před 4 lety

      It's actually better to be wrong and then corrected than correct the first time. You will have a greater chance of remembering the concept because you can think back to the time you were corrected.

  • @michaell4527
    @michaell4527 Před 7 lety

    works very well for me. well done

  • @srinjoykar7236
    @srinjoykar7236 Před 7 lety

    Thanks Scott Young

  • @StefanTravis
    @StefanTravis Před 7 lety +4

    So, according to one of Feynmann's self-created myths, you can understand a difficult idea by understanding an easy version of it.

  • @ChannelOfDiscord
    @ChannelOfDiscord Před 10 lety +9

    can i use this technique to understand this technique?

    • @rachelmcadamslover
      @rachelmcadamslover Před 10 lety +13

      even if you use this technique to understand this technique, you still have to use the technique to see if you really understood the technique by using the technique to understand the technique.

    • @Matedogswe
      @Matedogswe Před 10 lety +12

      rachelmcadamslover techniqueception lol

  • @jameswiblishauser9745
    @jameswiblishauser9745 Před 3 lety +1

    This is a great idea. Of course, making it a habit is the key.

  • @leonwang4669
    @leonwang4669 Před 6 lety

    I think this is a way to make you understand a concept or a book deeper than you think you understand it.It's a great way to study and to creat a new idea.Thanks:)

  • @BenavidesJorge
    @BenavidesJorge Před 7 lety +3

    wierd I have been doing this without knowing it was an actual technique.

  • @DataLog
    @DataLog Před 7 lety +5

    Unfortunately explaining fundamentals of principles is often not even rewarded with a point. Usually you just have to copy a definition that makes no sense.

  • @rogergsmithjr
    @rogergsmithjr Před 8 lety

    thank you for sharing this

  • @rsyoung01
    @rsyoung01 Před 7 lety

    This wails! Thanks for posting.

  • @ashscott6068
    @ashscott6068 Před 7 lety +15

    I wonder if it could be used to learn how to record quality audio...

    • @Billythepowerranger
      @Billythepowerranger Před 7 lety +4

      Maybe it could be used to not be rude and nit pick a small inconvenience on a video

    • @ashscott6068
      @ashscott6068 Před 7 lety

      Greenranger8
      If the audio sucks, it sucks. There's no need to pussyfoot around it. I'm sure the uploader is big enough to not get his feelings hurt by that

    • @ashscott6068
      @ashscott6068 Před 7 lety

      That's possible too.

    • @SamiKarvinen
      @SamiKarvinen Před 7 lety +1

      The audio is not GREAT. lol what? its a normal echoy webcam microphone. I dont particularly care about the audio quality, but a 5$ lav mic from amazon would probably sound 3 times better haha.
      But again, I dont really care about how much the uploader put effort & resources into his small youtube video he posted 5 years ago to get his point across :P

    • @seigeengine
      @seigeengine Před 7 lety +2

      The audio was acceptable.

  • @1HOUSEMD
    @1HOUSEMD Před 7 lety +10

    Thnx,but not applicable to medicine :(
    just not enough time to do this with all the materials :(

    • @acash93
      @acash93 Před 7 lety

      I'm currently doing dentistry. It's not as hectic, but there's not enough time too. I apply this after every clinical/surgical session when my tutors and professors mention some ingenious/creative way to solve a problem. It worked really well. I hope you have the time for this too!

    • @Dayra67
      @Dayra67 Před 7 lety

      1HOUSEMD same:( its so time consuming but i think you should start studying weeks before the exam so you will learn the topic 100%

  • @kentvandervelden
    @kentvandervelden Před 4 lety

    Awesome video!

  • @ribasb
    @ribasb Před 4 lety

    Thank you for the video! I look forward to more videos like this

  • @danielemessina1979
    @danielemessina1979 Před 7 lety +14

    I thought I was the only one doing that...

  • @maxawesom3850
    @maxawesom3850 Před 7 lety +3

    I used the Feynman technique (and this video) to learn the Feynman technique. Hah

  • @nikhilk7493
    @nikhilk7493 Před 6 lety

    Learning is very easy when u hv proper materials and u go through basics . intuitive explanation and granted things can be accepted sometimes..

  • @malsaso
    @malsaso Před rokem

    Your notes are very simple and effective thanks for sharing them

  • @exbladex99
    @exbladex99 Před 7 lety +3

    This technique fails because of misunderstandings and the problem of experts and textbooks usually having serious problems explaining things in simple terms themselves.
    Feynmen understood things and interpreted things correctly because of his genius in making assumptions based on his extensive knowledge-base. Most people do not have that database in their head already.

    • @DanielHoffmanddhoffman
      @DanielHoffmanddhoffman Před 5 lety

      I think he developed his knowledge base by being curious and rigorous study which he considered entertaining. If you're trying to use this technique to become a genius, you will fail. If you're trying to use this technique to learn your limits in understanding, you will be surprised just how little time it takes before you come to a roadblock. The greatest weakness is our perception of how much we know. Don't let ego stand in the way.

  • @josephgreenfield1030
    @josephgreenfield1030 Před 10 lety +3

    The first thing I did was use the Feynman Technique to explain the Fenman Technique, to make sure I understood, and would be able to use it again effectively later, for something else.

    • @rachelmcadamslover
      @rachelmcadamslover Před 10 lety +1

      Now you should use it to make sure that you did understand when you thought you understood.

    • @10babiscar
      @10babiscar Před 10 lety +1

      rachelmcadamslover the Feynman series

  • @graalcloud
    @graalcloud Před 5 lety

    I have been teaching myself to code, and realized halfway through watching this video that I technically do this technique mentally. When I have a problem scripting something, I always try to pinpoint the concept I don't understand and focus on learning that instead of focusing on my script.

  • @chamarajayasinghe8233

    This is first time i am seeing feynman technique but suprisingly i ve been using it yrs with my addition of diagrams..😃😀🙂