The last time that I studied Descartes was over 50 years ago.
In those days books with assigned readings were put on reserve in the library, and students had to sign up for a time slot in order to read them. When the appointed hour arrived I would be anxiously standing by the desk waiting for the book to be returned so that I could claim it. As soon as the precious object was in hand, I would head for the quietest spot in the library stacks and diligently read and take notes until my time was up. I always got the readings done on time and allowed no distractions to interrupt me. Now that the readings are available any time any day, I find it is much harder to settle in and study because I know that I could easily read at another time or place which might be somehow better or more conducive to remembering.
The Know Thyself lectures by Prof Mitch Green are absolutely mesmerizing, so I am finding that it is impossible not to pay attention! In other Coursera courses I have had the unfortunate tendency to start listening to a lecture and then deciding that I would come back to it later. Not so this time!
I missed a question on the quiz this week and was feeling stupid, and then I looked back at my notes and saw that I had the answer written down and even underlined. Then I felt not just stupid but careless as well. I am consoling myself that at least my note taking was adequate, and next week I will spend more time studying my notes before I submit the quiz. This was a valuable lesson that I needed to learn!
This is the second of my weekly reflections on Coursera/ Know Thyself by UVa Professor Mitch Green.
Live & Learn! 