How do you remember anything ?

[Anonymous No.11140317]

I essentially read essays, and I enjoy it. But it seems like 3 months after, I wouldn't be able to explain to a friend the important theories and concepts that were in the books. Do you have a method to improve your understanding and memory ? Do I just need to read the book several times ?
I thought about writing a resumé of each chapters I'm reading, but it just seems like a lot of work and effort, and some books have too long or too short chapters.

[Anonymous No.11140435]

I think that people will not remember concepts that they don't understand/like. Maybe that's your problem man, but if it's not, do the resume thing. What can you lose?

[Anonymous No.11140442]

It's difficult to simultaneously read for enjoyment and comprehensively. If you want to speed through, taking few-word notes to remind yourself of the contents at a glance is most efficient. If you want to remember without notes, it's best to reread it.

I'd only write summaries if the piece commanded that kind of attention or feeling on its own; not for everything.

[Anonymous No.11140531]

If I want to remember something from non-fiction I make notes, it helps an enormous amount, especially if I skim them immediately after finishing and re-read them when I want to recall something.

>I thought about writing a resumé of each chapters I'm reading, but it just seems like a lot of work and effort, and some books have too long or too short chapters.
Just do it, make them really brief and only summarise the most interesting and vital stuff. It'll improve your memory significantly.

[Anonymous No.11140559]

Same as you, OP. I just accept it. I don't really give a fuck about things if I don't read multiple works or discuss it or look it up on the internet afterwards. I try to ignore the pseudointellectual tendency to want to know more about ancient Roman pottery and every other pointless topic. It is strongly associated with literary culture

[Anonymous No.11140600]

>>11140435
I always read and reread untill I understand. I guess I'll try it for a little while and see how it affects my memory.

>>11140442
I'm not convinced by that. When I read something I don't enjoy I remember it even less. I'll try to take little notes, thanks

[Anonymous No.11140612]

>>11140317
I very rarely feel like I totally grasp stuff. I just get the general feeling that I have understood something more but would find it hard to put into words.

[Anonymous No.11140623]

>>11140531
Allrighty then. Do you come back to your notes often after you ginished a book ?

>>11140559
But don't you feel like you watsed your time ?
>-"Blabla.... Hegel...blablabla"
>- Hey I read a book from Hegel !
> really ? tell me about it.
> uuhh well...."

[Anonymous No.11140628]

>>11140600
I didn't mean that one mode of reading replaces the other, but that trying to remember the work will make it less enjoyable to read.

[Anonymous No.11140646]

>>11140612
Exactly. Like if I read an essay, 3 months later I'll only remember the general opinion of the author, a vague idea of what he respects and what he despises, but I could not tell what were his points exactly. Then I feel dumb because it is pretty much no use.

[Anonymous No.11140657]

>>11140628
Yeah I guess it's true. But if I have to pick, I'd rather not enjoy it and try to memorize it.

[Anonymous No.11140782]

>>11140317
>Do I just need to read the book several times ?


It it's a complex work, you'll have no choice but to reread it a number of times until you understand it comprehensively. I like this process though. Its like listening to a complex piece of music like a Beethoven Quartet and hearing nuances that had escaped you in previous listening's. If you truly understand a work, you should have no trouble explaining it to others.

[Anonymous No.11140808]

>>11140782
Right. I have never read a book twice yet. I just have so many interesting books to read first... I'll reread some books this summer.

[Anonymous No.11140822]

>>11140808
> I have never read a book twice yet. I just have so many interesting books to read first.

Yep that's the dilemma. Sometimes you just have to force yourself away from your to - read list and read something you've already read. I'm always rewarded by it when i do. You'll be doing more for your reading abilities in the long term by taking the time to properly digest one book that you would if you were to read a mountain of classics on only a shallow level. There's a short Schopenhauer essay that touches on the dangers of over reading that you should read.

[Anonymous No.11140827]

>>11140822
https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/s/schopenhauer/arthur/essays/chapter6.html

[Anonymous No.11140891]

>>11140822
>>11140827
I'll read that, thank you

[Anonymous No.11140918]

>>11140317
Don't memorize the words, just grasp the concepts. For example, you know how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich not from the formulaic process but just because you've absorbed that concept. Similarly, you come to know Spinoza's philosophy not from rote mémorision but from (((absorbing))) the concept through study and rereading. Eventually, you don't have to think and remember Spinoza's philosophy, you just have them as part of you.

[Anonymous No.11140937]

>>11140918
Yes. So I need te reread my books. I'll do that when I find more time !

[Anonymous No.11140951]

>>11140317
I had the same problem and I'm always writing my own summary since three years because of that.
pic is me summarizing teds manifesto right now

[Anonymous No.11140969]

>>11140317
read slow enough that you can think about what you are reading in relation to other stuff you will be able to remember what you've read when you think about the other stuff.