Explain it like I'm Feynman
Hey all - I hope your first days of 2023 have brought you great joy and wellness. I wanted to cover an incredibly interesting topic that I believe has a profound and compounding impact on learning and creating more than a surface-level understanding: the Feynman Technique! If you're reading this, you're probably looking for a way to improve your learning and understanding of a subject or you’ve stumbled on my page randomly. Either way, I am thankful you’re here.
The Feynman Technique, named after physicist Richard Feynman, is a simple yet effective method for mastering new materials and concepts.
The Feynman Technique consists of four steps:
Choose a concept that you want to learn. It could be something from your studies or work or even a personal interest.
Pretend that you are teaching the concept to someone else. This could be a friend, a classmate, or even a hypothetical person.
Identify any gaps in your understanding. As you go through the process of explaining the concept, you may realize that there are some parts that you don't fully understand or can't explain clearly. This is your opportunity to focus on those areas and dig deeper.
Simplify and test your understanding. Once you've identified the gaps in your understanding, it's time to fill them in. Research and learn more about the concept, and then try to explain it in your own words in a simple and concise manner.
Illustration by Norbert Hires
By following these four steps, you can effectively apply the Feynman Technique to any concept or subject that you want to learn. Not only will you improve your understanding of the material, but you'll also develop your ability to explain and teach it to others.
So give the Feynman Technique a try and see how it can help you master any subject!
Actionable Summary:
Choose a concept to learn.
Pretend to teach the concept to someone else.
Identify any gaps in your understanding.
Simplify and test your understanding by researching and explaining the concept in your own words.
Finish the week strong.
All the best,
Garrett Scott
Atlas Creative