yuangjay Deep Learn — General Topic
Domain: General / Cross-Domain
Phase 1: Frame the Topic (L1)
Before learning anything, frame what you're about to study:
Write down what you THINK you already know — 3–5 bullet points. (These are your pre-conceptions — some will be wrong, and that's the point.)
Identify the core question the topic answers:
- e.g., "How does X work?" / "Why does X exist?" / "What are the principles of X?"
Find the boundaries:
- What is IN scope (what this topic covers)?
- What is OUT of scope (what it hands off to)?
Find one authoritative source (textbook, official guide, Wikipedia "overview" section).
Check: What did you think you knew that turned out to be slightly wrong?
Phase 2: Build the Mental Model (L2)
Read one solid, complete introduction — not a summary listicle.
Map the key concepts:
[Core Concept A] │ ├──causes──► [Effect B] │ └──requires──► [Prerequisite C]Find the best analogy:
- What everyday thing is this LIKE?
- Where does the analogy break down? (That breakdown = important nuance)
Identify the 3 most common misconceptions about this topic.
- Often found by searching "[topic] common mistakes" or "[topic] misconceptions"
Check: Can you draw a concept map from memory?
Phase 3: Apply It (L3)
Every topic, no matter how abstract, needs application:
| Topic type | Apply it by... |
|---|---|
| System/process (e.g., how internet works) | Trace a real request end-to-end |
| Concept (e.g., game theory) | Analyse a real-world situation using the framework |
| Skill (e.g., writing, communication) | Produce something using the technique |
| Science (e.g., thermodynamics) | Solve a real problem or explain a real phenomenon |
| History/event | Write a structured analysis: causes → events → effects |
Output: Produce something concrete that demonstrates the knowledge. This could be:
- A written explanation (blog post, summary doc)
- A diagram or visual
- A working prototype or experiment
- A structured analysis or argument
Phase 4: Stress-Test the Understanding (L4)
- Find counter-examples: Where does this concept break down or not apply?
- Find expert disagreement: What do experts argue about within this topic?
- Connect to other domains: How does this topic relate to something you already know well?
- Teach it: Explain to the AI. Use no jargon — if you use a term, define it first.
Active Recall Prompts
After each session, answer from memory:
- "Summarise [topic] in 3 sentences."
- "What is the most important insight about [topic]?"
- "What is something most people get wrong about [topic]?"
- "How would you explain [topic] to a curious 12-year-old?"
- "What's one real-world example of [topic] in action?"
Feynman Test
"Explain [topic] to me from scratch. Assume I know nothing. Use an analogy. Tell me where the analogy breaks down."
Spaced Repetition
- +1 day: Write a 5-sentence summary from memory
- +3 days: Explain to the AI without notes — identify remaining gaps
- +1 week: Find one expert source (book, lecture, paper) and deepen one part
- +1 month: Teach it to someone else or apply it to a new problem