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- #0062: Are you evolving?
#0062: Are you evolving?
Education Next- Sixty second Edition
Reading time: 9.30 min
Hey !!đź‘‹
This week let's read about:
First Principal Thinking
Adi reflects on the importance of reading and writing
Learning from the neighbourhood
My friend Joe from Wequil always talks about First principal thinking in our conversations, which made me dig in to understand more about the importance of it. I love to understand concepts like these, and this one blew my mind.
First principal thinking is a way of looking at problems more fundamentally. Rather than relying on existing solutions or established processes, it encourages individuals to explore the root causes behind an issue and develop creative approaches to solving them.
This method offers an unconventional solution to the most intricate problems by questioning conventional wisdom and examining the basic facts or components of the situation rather than relying on past experiences, hypotheses or established theories.
It helps logically connect the dots and see all aspects of the problem to develop a solution.
How can kids benefit from first-principal thinking?
First, principal thinking can be quite beneficial for children as it encourages them to think outside the box, challenge assumptions and question conventional wisdom.
It helps kids develop their problem-solving skills, which are essential in life. It also teaches kids to break down complex problems into simpler parts and analyse each piece separately without making assumptions.
People’s thinking process is too bound by convention or analogy to prior experiences. People rarely try to think of something on a first-principles basis. They’ll say, “We’ll do that because it’s always been done that way.” Or they’ll not do it because “Well, nobody’s ever done that, so it must not be good. But that’s just a ridiculous way to think. You have to build up the reasoning from the ground up—“from the first principles” is the phrase that’s used in physics. You look at the fundamentals and construct your reasoning from that, and then you see if you have a conclusion that works or doesn’t work, and it may or may not be different from what people have done in the past.
Getting Inspired by Aristotle
In particular, one notable figure who practised first principle thinking in early times was Aristotle. Aristotle was a prolific organizer who believed that everything could be divided further into several categories and subcategories. This smallest subcategory, which cannot be divided further, would be known as the first principle.
As one of the significant contributors to the field of biology, Aristotle's approach aligns with first principle thinking. He would dissect animals to gather real-world knowledge and then organize and categorize this information. This overall cycle of seeking knowledge through experience and using reason to give it structure exemplifies the essence of first principle thinking.
I can see that in Adi when he wants to understand the mechanics of something or the way an app works. He breaks down each element and then builds it from scratch, understanding each component. It’s incredible to see how he can come up with his own creative solutions that defy convention.
Adi and I have been part of the Global podcast for over two months, and we have shared many stories and adventures there. You can be part of the podcast, which is streamed live on Facebook and YouTube Mon to Friday (7.30 PM) IST.
You can listen to us. here https://fb.watch/lXveYc22Pa/
If this interest you, follow this page to stay updated - Facebook
Learning With Adi
Adi reflects on the importance of reading and writing
In a recent conversation about the importance of reading and writing skills for children, my son had an enlightening moment.
He shared with me how crucial reading and writing skills are for children, not just for school, but for life.
He explained that being able to read and write well is a form of freedom, and it makes more sense when it is relevant.
We decided to record a podcast about the significance of reading and writing skills for kids.
It was amazing to hear my son's perspective and how he realized the importance of these skills firsthand.
We hope that by sharing our experience, we can inspire other parents to encourage their children to read and write more.
Conscious Bonding
Learning from the neighbourhood
Don't we all dream of having a neighbourhood where our kids can walk to learning centres, play freely outside, go cycling, and have adventures? Adults can sit and talk in the town together or walk in the park.
My friend Andreas from Bansko shares unique experiences he and his family have in his neighbourhood. He shares all about his kids cycling with other kids, having fun outside with friends, and learning together.
It is incredible how adults in the neighbourhood have created a relaxed environment where children can learn from each other or their mentors, who are always nearby. Every day I feel inspired by this example of learning from the neighbourhood in a relaxed way.
This kind of learning environment isn't limited to Bansko but can be adopted by any community with a sense of solidarity. We can learn from these people and start our journey towards a more sustainable future.
We can start small and invite people to come together for shared learning, aiming to acquire knowledge and share stories and experiences.
We can also create spaces in our neighbourhood where the whole community can meet and exchange ideas or chat.
By creating an environment that encourages learning from each other, we can help our neighbourhoods become more socially connected and develop a sense of belonging. We can also work together to support those in need and ensure everyone feels included.
