## Start [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=0s) - Taking book notes is one of the best ways to remember what you read, and this applies to both non-fiction and fiction books, as it helps to retain the information and requires active engagement with the material [(00:00:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=5s). - The note-taking systems tried in the past were often too complicated, difficult to sustain, or attempted to impose a specific way of thinking that did not always feel natural [(00:00:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=21s). - A simple and effective method for taking notes has been discovered after trying various approaches over the last 10 years, and this method will be shared along with the mistakes made during the note-taking journey [(00:00:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=26s). - The person sharing their note-taking experience is Jared Henderson, a philosopher who enjoys reading books and writes on his Substack several times a week, currently doing a read-along of Aristotle's [[Nicomachean Ethics]] [(00:00:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=43s). - By becoming a paying subscriber to Jared Henderson's Substack, supporters can help bring content to YouTube and receive exclusive writings, with the current content likely to be of interest to those who enjoy the video [(00:00:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=52s). ## Read and Annotate [(00:00:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=59s) - To effectively take book notes, it is necessary to read the book and annotate it, which requires taking time and paying attention to the content, and this process cannot be rushed or compromised by taking shortcuts, as it may undermine the entire note-taking process [(00:00:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=59s). - Annotating a book helps to become a more engaged reader, and these annotations are essential for future reference, but making too many annotations can be counterproductive, as it does not allow for curation of important information, and it is equivalent to not underlining at all [(00:01:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=77s). - Minimal annotations are recommended, as they should be readable, focused on crucial information, and leave room for future annotations during rereads, which is particularly important for non-fiction books, whereas fiction books may require annotations about themes [(00:02:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=139s). - Only underlining text is not sufficient, as it does not provide context or explanation for why the text is important, and instead, using different annotation methods, such as color-coding, brackets, circling words, stars, and question marks, can provide more information and clarity [(00:03:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=187s). - Using a pencil to annotate is a preferred method, as it allows for flexibility and does not permanently mark the book, and creating a personal system of symbols and annotations can help to effectively engage with the book and retain information [(00:03:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=218s). - Developing a personal annotation system, such as using specific symbols or colors, can help to identify important passages, confusing text, or areas that require further definition, and this system can be tailored to individual needs and preferences [(00:04:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=245s). - Writing too much in the margins, such as entire sentences curving around the page, is not effective, and it is better to find another place to write complicated notes, such as a separate notebook or document [(00:04:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=260s). - Using sticky tabs or metal book tabs to flag annotations is a helpful step in the note-taking process, allowing for easy reference to important passages [(00:04:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=281s). - When taking notes on the go, talking out loud can be a convenient alternative to writing, especially in situations where writing is not practical, such as during a walk [(00:04:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=289s). - [[Plot AI]] is a tool that can be used to transcribe meetings, conversations, or thoughts, using GPT 40 to improve accuracy, and it also allows for phone call recording with a switch to prevent accidental recording [(00:04:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=299s). - Plot AI can be useful for projects that involve interviewing people, as it can record and transcribe phone calls, and even add speaker labels to separate the conversations of different individuals [(00:05:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=336s). ## Export [(00:05:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=357s) - Annotating a book is not enough, and the annotations do not really count as notes until they are exported into a format that can be reviewed more easily, such as note cards, which can be written by hand or using apps like Obsidian [(00:06:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=379s). - When exporting annotations, it is recommended to manually write or type them, rather than automating the process, as this helps to retain the information and process it better, with automation being seen as the enemy of retaining information and understanding complicated ideas [(00:06:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=408s). - The process of exporting involves going through the book, using sticky tabs to indicate annotations, and writing down thoughts, copying important quotes, and adding page numbers to make it easy to find the relevant information, with the goal of methodically deciding what is important in the book [(00:07:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=443s). - The information that can be included on note cards can vary, such as copying quotes, adding analysis or thoughts, writing down vocabulary that needs to be defined, and sources cited by the author, with the goal of being flexible and experimenting to figure out what works best [(00:07:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=461s). - The export phase is similar to systems used by [[Ryan Holiday]] and Robert Green, and it involves deciding what is important in the book and making a decision about what will go into the note cards, with the option to link to videos for more detail on how they do it [(00:08:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=498s). - Once the note cards are created, they need to be sorted, which can involve manually grouping common themes and ideas, and this process helps to understand the book even more, with the option to combine note cards from multiple books for larger research projects [(00:08:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=529s). - Organizing note cards can be a challenge, but it is also an opportunity to think through how to organize ideas, and using simple tools like paper clips can help to keep the note cards together, making the process more effective [(00:09:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=560s). ## Active Reflection [(00:10:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=614s) - Active reflection is a crucial step in the learning process that involves taking the information acquired from a book and doing something with it, rather than just letting it sit statically, to help understand the ideas and make the knowledge stick [(00:10:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=627s). - One way to practice active reflection is to write a lesson plan, imagining that you are teaching the material to someone who is slightly less knowledgeable, which requires introducing the subject matter, stating the author's thesis, defining key terms, explaining arguments, and considering complications and objections [(00:10:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=656s). - Another approach to active reflection is to write letters to dead authors, a technique inspired by Andrew Lang's 1886 book "Letters to Dead Authors", where you write letters to your favorite authors and thinkers, raising criticisms and asking questions, and then imagine their responses [(00:12:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=752s). - Active reflection can also be practiced through other methods, such as writing blog posts, essays, or summaries, and the goal is to find a way to use the knowledge acquired from a book, which is essential for retaining and remembering it [(00:13:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=813s). - By actively reflecting on the text, you can incorporate the knowledge into your life, turn learning into an ongoing process, and eventually form your own ideas, as seen in the example of writing about Aristotle's "[[Nicomachean Ethics]]" and engaging with readers' questions and comments [(00:11:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw&t=701s). ## Sources - [website](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krhvPl6x7bw?si=TUsHmuzjMQLEJqEb)