Mike Thinks: Reduce Ignorance, Increase Intelligence? It’s That Simple People

People commonly believe that the there is some secret to learning a given subject. Similar to many writers who express the same solution toward becoming a better writer, learning a given subject requires time spent — it is that simple. Of course, other components exist which contribute to the individual rate at which each of us learn any subject, but generally, time spent is the dominant component (and most important).

Slow Down, Take Fewer Classes, Study More

The academic semester in college can be a stressful time for students trying to learn new subjects. Students are often confounded when I suggest that more time spent is a good solution to their current dilemma during any given semester. Usually, juggling too many courses and work outside of school prevents them from sitting down and putting in the time. Additionally, curiosity is suppressed under stress of having to juggle a difficult schedule.

The solution would be to slow down and take less courses which would allow more time spent on each class. Although, in the hyper competitive world in which we live, that appears to not be a solution possible. I am currently tutoring a student in a Physical Chemistry course (usually taken in 3rd year of college). Physical Chemistry is often referred to as “General Chemistry on steroids.”

It is true, Physical Chemistry requires math which is generally more difficult for the average student taking General Chemistry. Although, it could be argued that the content covered in Physical Chemistry is not anything too new (at least first semester). The Calculus which is part of the math required to solve Physical Chemistry problems is not too demanding.

Typically, Chemistry and Biochemistry majors take the first three semesters of Calculus which is required. The most critical component toward achieving an “A” in Physical Chemistry is no different than any other course — take time (a lot of time) to solve homework problems. Which in a larger picture is really no different than for success in any other college course taken during an undergraduate experience.

Relating back to the equation in the picture above for “intelligence,” each student aims to become less “ignorant” about the world — in turn becoming more “intelligent”. If the two words are separately searched in a search engine (such as Google), the results are shown below (in terms of definitions of the words):

The definitions line up quite clearly with the discussion at hand:

Intelligence: “the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills”

Ignorance: “lack of knowledge or information”

Students who spend time writing out equations and reading the accompanying material outside of lecture will find the class rather on the simple side. Why? Because they are used to manipulating (through derivation, etc.) mathematical equations. Their minds have processed the information confronted in lecture and reprocessed outside of class while studying at home or the library. Is that a new realization?

Malcolm Gladwell Suggests 10,000 hours To Master?

Malcolm Gladwell, author and frequent contributor to ‘The New Yorker’, wrote a compelling book titled “Outliers” — for anyone who wants to unpack the recipe for success in any field. In the book, he argues that there are in fact correlations to successful people and success. Some of which are out of our control — i.e. birth month, birth year, family background, etc. We cannot control when we are born or into which family we are born into. Those types of parameters are out of our control. Although, success is not entirely based on those parameters.

A dominant theme throughout his book is that ‘hard work’ plays a large role into success. Yes, being in the right place at the right time does help. Plus, having the family support (emotional, financial, etc.) does contribute greatly to success too. But ultimately, time spent is a dominant contribution.

He shows through three completely different examples (First — the Beatles, Second — Bill Gates, and third — professional athletes)that if you want to succeed, you must spend around 10,000 hours at a given task. What? This may seem outrageous at first sight. Although, if you read through his well written examples — you will arrive at the same conclusion. Which is in line with my equation toward success. In order to become more intelligent about a given subject, one must reduce his/her ignorance on that subject.

Some people may have difficulty entertaining/including the word “ignorance” into the description toward their success. First, it is just a word. Second, if you have such a difficult time, then just use another word which is synonymous with “ignorance”. I personally love the word.

When I think that I am ignorant about a given subject, I find myself at a crossed roads — where a decision has to be made. Will I become less “ignorant” about the subject — i.e. spend time studying the subject? Or do I move on and store in my memory that I will have to eventually come back and tackle at a later point in time — especially if I place a high mark of importance of the subject.

When I see students come to me for tutoring or learning a new scientific instrument, frustration is usually the first sign that more time spent is the solution to their problem. Yes, there are exceptions who just need subject clarifications (on concepts, problem solving steps, etc.). But the majority of students have the same issue at hand. They are not doing so or are unwilling to spend time to become less “ignorant” about the subject at hand. If they were willing to spend time to reduce their “ignorance” on the subject, not only would they see the relevance in learning the subject in the global scheme of their undergraduate education. But they would feel less stressed and a better sense of self due to mastering/completing a successful course due to their hard work (i.e. journey to become “less ignorant” — more “intelligent”). Each of us should encourage everyone around us to aspire to become less “ignorant” about a subject of interest thereby becoming more “intelligent.” Learning is that simple people!

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