How to get smarter

Look, it’s a total given that you can actually sharpen your brain if you put in the work 🙂 Just carve out maybe thirty minutes a day—just thirty!—to dive into something genuinely useful or interesting, and then, this is the crucial part, spend another half hour actually applying what you just learned. If you stick to that routine every single day, I promise you, after a year passes, you’re going to look back and realize there's a massive difference in how you process things and how you move through the world.

Nicholas Gonzalez8 said:Look, it’s a total given that you can actually sharpen your brain if you put in the work 🙂 Just carve out maybe thirty minutes a day—just thirty!—to dive into something genuinely useful or interesting, and then, this is the crucial part, spend another half hour actually applying what you just learned. If you stick to that routine every single day, I promise you, after a year passes, you’re going to look back and realize there's a massive difference in how you process things and how you move through the world.

Precisely.😉 That's the core of it.
Read, read, and read some more—but ensure you are actually absorbing the material! Repetition is everything.
And before you know it, you’ll be quite sharp... perhaps after twenty years of constant study and mountains of books under your belt.
And then, ironically, you'll find yourself thinking you aren't smart at all. 😢

So, does reading books actually make you smarter? Or is it just... I don't know, stuffing your head with more data points? I wonder if hitting the books would ever really match my own way of reasoning or how I analyze things—it’s such a personal process, right? Though, if I’m being totally honest with you all, I’m not even sure what "intelligence" actually means anymore.

Exercise really is a miracle 🙂

I’ve got a few habits I’m really itching to shake—you know how it is. In your opinion, what’s actually the best way to tackle those parts of ourselves we just can't stand? It’s always so much easier to talk the talk than it is to actually walk the walk...

Benjamin Hill97 said:So, does reading books actually make you smarter? Or is it just... I don't know, stuffing your head with more data points? I wonder if hitting the books would ever really match my own way of reasoning or how I analyze things—it’s such a personal process, right? Though, if I’m being totally honest with you all, I’m not even sure what "intelligence" actually means anymore.

Look, let me break this down for you using a simple analogy—something anyone can wrap their head around. Think about when you’re out there trying to get your driver's license. First, you sit in some classroom or stare at a manual, grinding through all that theory. Then, you actually get behind the wheel to try and apply what you just read. Finally, you do it over and over again until that knowledge actually turns into a real, muscle-memory skill. So, sure, studying is vital—don't get me wrong—but if you aren't actually putting that information to work in the real world, you're basically just spinning your wheels. You have to bridge that gap between knowing and doing.

Look, if you actually want to train your brain to think logically—and I mean really sharpen that mental edge—you’ve got to start by putting pen to paper. Seriously. Don't just sit there letting your thoughts swirl around like a chaotic mess in a blender. Take a sheet of paper and actually map it out. Here’s the drill: write down the pros and the cons of whatever decision you're staring down. But don't just make a list like some middle schooler—assign a specific weight or value to every single factor. It’s basically like building a weighted spreadsheet for your own damn brain. If you stick to this routine for a year or maybe two—yeah, it takes time, quit looking for a quick fix—you’ll start noticing something weird. You'll find yourself running those calculations lightning-fast in your head without even needing the notepad anymore. It becomes second nature. Just do the work.

Benjamin Hill97 said:I’ve got a few habits I’m really itching to shake—you know how it is. In your opinion, what’s actually the best way to tackle those parts of ourselves we just can't stand? It’s always so much easier to talk the talk than it is to actually walk the walk...

Look, stop sitting around waiting for that "perfect moment" to strike or some magical surge of motivation to hit you like a lightning bolt. It’s not coming. If you spend your whole life waiting for the stars to align, you’re just going to end up old, gray, and full of regrets—kind of like how people wait for a green light at a deserted intersection in the middle of nowhere before they even think about hitting the gas. The secret? Just start. Right now. Pick something, stick to it, and do it every single day without fail. That’s how you actually win. We tend to get caught up in our feelings—you know, that "I don't feel like it today" excuse—but that's exactly what discipline is meant to override. Discipline is basically just doing the work even when your brain is screaming at you to stay on the couch and watch Netflix. And honestly? Anyone can build that muscle. It's a skill, not a personality trait you're born with. Get moving.

Look, here’s the deal—you can't just flip a switch and expect to be a different person overnight. It doesn't work like that. From what I've gathered, a real habit actually starts to take root only after you've been grinding away at the same thought, the same emotion, or the same specific activity every single day for about a month. Just thirty days of repetition. But even then? That's just the foundation. You have to keep at it for several months before that habit really starts to gain some serious momentum and becomes part of your actual DNA. It’s like training for a marathon or trying to fix a broken engine—you don't just tinker with it once and call it a day; you have to stay consistent for the long haul if you want it to stick.

I’m totally with you on everything you said—though, if I’m being honest, the real struggle with breaking habits is that part of my brain actually *doesn't* want to change them. Even when I know, deep down, that life would be a whole lot better without certain patterns holding me back... it's tough. But man, when those changes finally stick, they really are beautiful, aren't they? They can be such a game-changer for someone.

P.S. On that note—how do you actually stay more disciplined? Are there specific mental exercises or routines for that? Or is it just a matter of having a rock-solid character and knowing how to say "no" or "yes" without overthinking it?

To be totally honest with you, the whole idea of "character" feels a bit fuzzy to me—I mean, I honestly have my doubts even exist as a real thing in the first place...

I mean, I know what people think "character" means—that whole idea of a collection of traits that paints a complete picture of who someone is. If my memory serves me right—and it’s a bit hazy, honestly—that was one of the basic definitions they drilled into us back in high school. But personally? I think the whole concept of "character" is kind of pointless. Honestly, it feels like a flawed way to interpret how people actually act. At the end of the day, we're all social creatures, so our reactions are really just responses to certain types of social stimuli... you know? Like, nobody is being perfectly moral, responsible, or even consistently fast or slow in every single situation. Everything depends on a million different factors and the environment acting on the individual. Or, hey, feel free to correct me if I'm totally off base here...

It also confuses me how much weight we put on certain words sometimes. I get this feeling that we let language become way too subjective—like we’re saying the exact same thing but we don't actually mean the same thing at all. Ugh.

Benjamin Hill97 said:I mean, I know what people think "character" means—that whole idea of a collection of traits that paints a complete picture of who someone is. If my memory serves me right—and it’s a bit hazy, honestly—that was one of the basic definitions they drilled into us back in high school. But personally? I think the whole concept of "character" is kind of pointless. Honestly, it feels like a flawed way to interpret how people actually act. At the end of the day, we're all social creatures, so our reactions are really just responses to certain types of social stimuli... you know? Like, nobody is being perfectly moral, responsible, or even consistently fast or slow in every single situation. Everything depends on a million different factors and the environment acting on the individual. Or, hey, feel free to correct me if I'm totally off base here...

It also confuses me how much weight we put on certain words sometimes. I get this feeling that we let language become way too subjective—like we’re saying the exact same thing but we don't actually mean the same thing at all. Ugh.

That’s more of a philosophical question. You might find this useful:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/34009403/L...o-Philosphicus

Ethan Kim4 said:That’s more of a philosophical question. You might find this useful:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/34009403/L...o-Philosphicus

That's awesome! I actually started diving into what you sent over, but man, it looks like this version is a bit of a mess—it's incomplete, right? There are random pages in German, some parts in American, and it feels like a few chunks were just ripped out entirely. Do you happen to know of another book that tackles this same subject, or should I just go ahead and hunt down a better copy on a torrent site?

Benjamin Hill97 said:I’m totally with you on everything you said—though, if I’m being honest, the real struggle with breaking habits is that part of my brain actually *doesn't* want to change them. Even when I know, deep down, that life would be a whole lot better without certain patterns holding me back... it's tough. But man, when those changes finally stick, they really are beautiful, aren't they? They can be such a game-changer for someone.

P.S. On that note—how do you actually stay more disciplined? Are there specific mental exercises or routines for that? Or is it just a matter of having a rock-solid character and knowing how to say "no" or "yes" without overthinking it?

Discipline—it’s basically the superpower that lets you act right every single time. It’s about ditching those tiny, cheap little instant gratifications and breaking those crappy habits. That's how you actually move toward your real goals, which eventually makes you a happier, more successful person. Look, nobody is born with a built-in discipline switch, but anyone can build it from scratch. You can train yourself using these steps:

a) Preparation – Figure out what you actually want and map out your daily routine.

b) Start small – Don't go trying to run a marathon on day one. Pick a tiny, easy task. And don't just sit there waiting for "motivation" to strike—that's a trap. Create it. Surround yourself with people who actually push you to reach your goals instead of dragging you down. Think about the reward waiting for you if you put in the work. Can't find the willpower or the motivation? Doesn't matter. Just move. Take that first step anyway. Action is what actually generates motivation and inspiration.

Whatever you can do right now, don't push it off until later or tomorrow. Stop procrastinating.

c) Consistency and ramping up – Try to keep the same pace for at least two weeks. Once that sticks, start bumping up the difficulty of your daily tasks. Progress steadily, but don't overdo it and burn out. The whole point is to build discipline and chase your dreams. You aren't supposed to perform miracles in three days; just enjoy the process and the progress itself.

d) Occasionally do things you hate, and interrupt things you love – This is how you teach your brain to obey. For example, knock out that one chore you've been putting off for months. Or, watch a great movie and then turn it off right when it gets to the best part. Yeah, it sounds weird, but it works.

Anyway, just relax and play around with your own thoughts and emotions. Intentionally challenge them, then suddenly shift your focus elsewhere. You just need to recognize that moment when your thoughts start taking over, and then pull yourself away. Every time you push that boundary a little further, you're moving forward, step by step. It’ll feel brutal at first, but you'll get there.

Maybe it’s just empathy...
But lately, as my perspective keeps expanding, I’m finding it harder and harder to keep track of who’s actually playing what game...
Because everyone claims to be the smartest person in the room. The leftists think they're geniuses, the conservatives think they're geniuses, everyone's convinced of their own brilliance...

On a side note—and I probably picked this up from someone somewhere—I love to sing while I’m cooking.
But looking at these "Master Chefs" on TV versus the folks cooking in your average local diner? Sorry, buddy, but when I’m in the kitchen, I’m singing, I’m dancing, and I’m making something real. It doesn't taste like some processed, instant, corporate shortcut; it tastes like something I made specifically for myself.

Here’s my take: true knowledge is meant to be passed down. Every other type of information is just a series of logical connections designed to prevent actual transmission.
That’s how I see it, anyway. I suppose those "geniuses" might be just a hair smarter than the rest of us🙂

And that’s exactly why our high school teachers should be ranked just a step below university professors. We need them to develop the students, but more importantly, we need them to pass on that core essence...

Benjamin Hill97 said:Hey everyone, I’ve been feeling pretty lost lately. It feels like I don't actually know anything, or like I’m just barely scratching the surface of everything I touch.

Aside from some minor life experiences and a few small improvements in my physical skills, I feel like I haven't changed at all, and honestly, that's pretty depressing—especially when it comes to my intellectual growth. Looking back at what I've done over the last few months, every single day feels more or less the same. I feel fulfilled and reasonably happy, and I suppose there isn't necessarily a reason to change my routine, but I have this intense craving to progress, to know more, and to truly understand things on a deeper level.

Is it actually possible to become smarter in a general sense, or am I just becoming better informed?

From where I'm sitting, you seem incredibly sharp to me.

Benjamin Hill97 said:That's awesome! I actually started diving into what you sent over, but man, it looks like this version is a bit of a mess—it's incomplete, right? There are random pages in German, some parts in American, and it feels like a few chunks were just ripped out entirely. Do you happen to know of another book that tackles this same subject, or should I just go ahead and hunt down a better copy on a torrent site?

There are plenty of authors who tackle linguistics. Try searching under "structuralists." Or, honestly, just grab an intro to semiology from your local library; they usually list all the heavy hitters there. Besides the folks I mentioned, you've got Wittgenstein, plus philosophers like Habermas, Dilthey, and Lacan. There are more, but those are the main ones that come to mind right now.
My bad on the low-quality links. I think there’s a list of sites and page numbers somewhere in the literature topic about book removal PDF. That said, all the recommended reading is easy to find at any public library. Enjoy the deep dive!🙂

Nicholas Gonzalez8 said:Discipline—it’s basically the superpower that lets you act right every single time. It’s about ditching those tiny, cheap little instant gratifications and breaking those crappy habits. That's how you actually move toward your real goals, which eventually makes you a happier, more successful person. Look, nobody is born with a built-in discipline switch, but anyone can build it from scratch. You can train yourself using these steps:

a) Preparation – Figure out what you actually want and map out your daily routine.

b) Start small – Don't go trying to run a marathon on day one. Pick a tiny, easy task. And don't just sit there waiting for "motivation" to strike—that's a trap. Create it. Surround yourself with people who actually push you to reach your goals instead of dragging you down. Think about the reward waiting for you if you put in the work. Can't find the willpower or the motivation? Doesn't matter. Just move. Take that first step anyway. Action is what actually generates motivation and inspiration.

Whatever you can do right now, don't push it off until later or tomorrow. Stop procrastinating.

c) Consistency and ramping up – Try to keep the same pace for at least two weeks. Once that sticks, start bumping up the difficulty of your daily tasks. Progress steadily, but don't overdo it and burn out. The whole point is to build discipline and chase your dreams. You aren't supposed to perform miracles in three days; just enjoy the process and the progress itself.

d) Occasionally do things you hate, and interrupt things you love – This is how you teach your brain to obey. For example, knock out that one chore you've been putting off for months. Or, watch a great movie and then turn it off right when it gets to the best part. Yeah, it sounds weird, but it works.

Anyway, just relax and play around with your own thoughts and emotions. Intentionally challenge them, then suddenly shift your focus elsewhere. You just need to recognize that moment when your thoughts start taking over, and then pull yourself away. Every time you push that boundary a little further, you're moving forward, step by step. It’ll feel brutal at first, but you'll get there.

Thanks for the honest advice, man. A lot of what you said makes sense—these methods are definitely valid ways to help someone become successful and happy to a certain extent. But there's one catch: for a long time, I used to believe that happiness was the ultimate purpose of life, and that we should always strive to be happy. Now, I'm not so sure anymore. Other emotions exist for a reason, right? Why would we throw everything else aside just for one single feeling??

As for "exploring your desires"... honestly, that's the biggest hurdle for me. I don't even know what my desires are. I feel like a fly hitting a window—I'll latch onto one thing and then immediately jump to the next before I've even fully processed the first one. I've conditioned myself to be like this. I get excited about stuff quickly, but I get bored just as fast. I wonder if that's a discipline issue, or something else entirely?

P.S. I actually really like the suggestion about giving up things we love for the sake of other things—like improving discipline and self-control. I think I might have been doing that subconsciously without ever realizing it... I'm going to experiment with it, unless I end up being as lazy as I usually am. :-)

@Joshua Adams41 About that... I guess I'm saying the term "smart" feels a bit vague to me...

@Gary Martinez2 Maybe I just seem that way, or maybe I am, or maybe I'm not. Either way, thanks for thinking so. And hey, while the ego boost feels pretty good, I realize it could probably be a dangerous thing in the long run.

@Ethan Kim4 Bounced straight into the research phase. 🙂

Benjamin Hill97 said:Thanks for the honest advice, man. A lot of what you said makes sense—these methods are definitely valid ways to help someone become successful and happy to a certain extent. But there's one catch: for a long time, I used to believe that happiness was the ultimate purpose of life, and that we should always strive to be happy. Now, I'm not so sure anymore. Other emotions exist for a reason, right? Why would we throw everything else aside just for one single feeling??

As for "exploring your desires"... honestly, that's the biggest hurdle for me. I don't even know what my desires are. I feel like a fly hitting a window—I'll latch onto one thing and then immediately jump to the next before I've even fully processed the first one. I've conditioned myself to be like this. I get excited about stuff quickly, but I get bored just as fast. I wonder if that's a discipline issue, or something else entirely?

P.S. I actually really like the suggestion about giving up things we love for the sake of other things—like improving discipline and self-control. I think I might have been doing that subconsciously without ever realizing it... I'm going to experiment with it, unless I end up being as lazy as I usually am. :-)

@Joshua Adams41 About that... I guess I'm saying the term "smart" feels a bit vague to me...

@Gary Martinez2 Maybe I just seem that way, or maybe I am, or maybe I'm not. Either way, thanks for thinking so. And hey, while the ego boost feels pretty good, I realize it could probably be a dangerous thing in the long run.

@Ethan Kim4 Bounced straight into the research phase. 🙂

Most people get "happiness" mixed up with just having things go your way. Real happiness involves experiencing the full spectrum of emotions—it’s built on gratitude and staying optimistic. It isn't some finish line you cross or something you have to earn to finally feel good... anyone can be happy. Living happily is more of a lifestyle choice we make.

Benjamin Hill97 said:Thanks for the honest advice, man. A lot of what you said makes sense—these methods are definitely valid ways to help someone become successful and happy to a certain extent. But there's one catch: for a long time, I used to believe that happiness was the ultimate purpose of life, and that we should always strive to be happy. Now, I'm not so sure anymore. Other emotions exist for a reason, right? Why would we throw everything else aside just for one single feeling??

As for "exploring your desires"... honestly, that's the biggest hurdle for me. I don't even know what my desires are. I feel like a fly hitting a window—I'll latch onto one thing and then immediately jump to the next before I've even fully processed the first one. I've conditioned myself to be like this. I get excited about stuff quickly, but I get bored just as fast. I wonder if that's a discipline issue, or something else entirely?

P.S. I actually really like the suggestion about giving up things we love for the sake of other things—like improving discipline and self-control. I think I might have been doing that subconsciously without ever realizing it... I'm going to experiment with it, unless I end up being as lazy as I usually am. :-)

@Joshua Adams41 About that... I guess I'm saying the term "smart" feels a bit vague to me...

@Gary Martinez2 Maybe I just seem that way, or maybe I am, or maybe I'm not. Either way, thanks for thinking so. And hey, while the ego boost feels pretty good, I realize it could probably be a dangerous thing in the long run.

@Ethan Kim4 Bounced straight into the research phase. 🙂

That’s exactly why I’m telling you to explore them. You don't need to have the answers upfront. Just commit to one thing at a time and really get to know it. Eventually, you look back, compare how you felt, and pick whatever actually fits.

Take, for example, if you're trying to pick a career path where you can actually make a living. You've gotta make sure:

1. You actually enjoy the grind of that kind of work
2. You're at least somewhat decent at it
3. You get a kick out of the end result