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There may be some parallels to physical exercise. Instead of lifting weights or doing cardio, you could do backyard farming or small scale construction, or run
by shard 18y ago
There may be some parallels to physical exercise.
Instead of lifting weights or doing cardio, you could do backyard farming or small scale construction, or run to the grocery store. However such tasks usually come with a minimum work quantity required, so that you don't end up with a half built shed, or running two thirds of the way to the store. The same with learning a new subject or reading a new book.
Secondly, the targeting of the exercises may be different than real-world tasks. For example, it might not be as easy to work both arms equally when gardening as opposed to using dumbbells.
Third, the short exercises have faster rewards, and therefore is more encouraging than learning a whole new subject. Motivation is important when it comes to doing certain things, and having to learn new algebra and physics could kill the motivation.
- MikeCapone 18y agoYou make some good points. I think another thing that has an impact is the lack of a PR machine behind "picking up a good non-fiction book" or "doing something constructive that is also a good physical exercise". Or more precisely, the lack of a PR machine that specifically tells people it's good for their brain.
- MikeCapone 18y agoOne more question: I wonder if there could be some anti-intellectualism somewhere in there. Like: If you do math & such for health reasons, to keep your brain fit, that's cool. But if you read a bunch of history and physics books (without being forced to) just to know lots of things, that's pretentious and you're just trying to be better than us normal folks. Not sure it's a very strong argument, but curious to know what others think.