Why Reading Books Can Make You Stupid

Estimated Reading Time: 2 mins

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3 Ideas For Better Habits

1

Excessive Reading Hinders Your Ability to Think For Yourself

19th century philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer on the dark side of reading too much:

“When we read, another person thinks for us: we merely repeat his mental process...the greater part of the work of thought is already done for us.

This is why it relieves us to take up a book after being occupied with our own thoughts. And in reading, the mind is, in fact, only the playground of another’s thoughts.

So it comes about that if anyone spends almost the whole day in reading, and by way of relaxation devotes the intervals to some thoughtless pastime, he gradually loses the capacity for thinking; just as the man who always rides, at last forgets how to walk. This is the case with many learned persons: they have read themselves stupid.”

Source: ​Essays and Aphorisms​

2

Friendships Are More Important Than Diet For Your Health and Well-Being

Longevity expert Dan Buettner on how friendships can help you live longer:

“Friends can exert a measurable and ongoing influence on your health behaviors in a way that a diet never can.”

"[T]he most powerful thing you can do to add healthy years is to curate your immediate social network. In general, you want friends with whom you can have a meaningful conversation. You can call them on a bad day and they will care. Your group of friends are better than any drug or anti-aging supplement, and will do more for you than just about anything.”

Source: ​The Power of Positive People​ 3

Pretend to Be Weak When You Are Strong

Ancient military strategist Sun Tzu on how to deceive an opponent:

"Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak."

Source: ​The Art of War​

Productivity Tools and Resources

4

Build Good Reading Habits and Keep Track of Your Reading List (Notion Template)

​Notion reading list​ is a minimalist template on the notion tool that helps you keep track of what you read and stick to your reading habits.

The template gives you the ability to organize highlights and books, track reading progress, and save articles to read later.

5

Train Your Brain to Stay Focused Using Science Based Music

It's hard to stay focused on important tasks and avoid distractions especially when working from home.

​Brain.fm​ is an app designed and tested by a team of neuroscientists that creates music to help you get things done.

It uses 'rhythmic modulation' and creates a state of 'neural phase locking' to help your brain neurons work together to stay in focus.

"I've been using Brain.fm for a couple years now and it works great for increasing concentration or to help you relax. Studying, working, sleeping, meditating." - Hanna Elizabeth

Join 150,000+ productive listeners and ​try it free​ (Get 20% off with coupon code: smarter-brain.)

6

Improve Your Communication By Simplifying Complex Ideas

​The Up-Goer Five Text Editor​ is a simple tool that helps you explain complex ideas to others using ten hundred most-used English words.

Interesting Fact

Today I Learned: Researchers discovered that most cats fall somewhere on the spectrum of psychopathy. If they were human, they would be psychopaths. (​Source​)

Have a productive week,

The Smarter Brain Team