Learning by Copying (Concept) §

Story §

Miles Davis said It took me years to learn to play like myself But first he was copying the people that he liked. His idols

This quote I heard from David Chapelle

There’s also a book called the “Secret to our Sucess” The idea is that what makes human so advantageous is that we can copy one another (I think other animals can do this too naman) But we really take it up to the next level

(I think Dawkins calls this a “meme”)

It’s that we can copy one another. It’s something that gets passed on just by seeing (not genetically) or biologically

This reminds me of the Blind Guy chronicles and how he talks about the fact that he cannot make facial expressions But he did not get the chance to visually copy the expressions that people make.

Who are my fitness idols §

So one of the tricks here. Is to find good models to copy.

In mindset GMB and PN has really resonated with me. I like the messaging of GMB that focuses on principles and on autonomy I like the messaging of PN that talks about deep health

In business. I like David Perell’s stuff I like that it’s about writing. Or more accurately, I like that it’s about sharing ideas.

In movement Find people who’s movements I like I like watching Ryan move (though it’s so far beyond anything I can do) I like watchin pro athletes move. Just getting that movement deep into my body By watching. Not really breaking down and not really overthinking things

Copy don’t think §

There’s two ways of copying someone.

You can analyze. Break it down into bits and pieces and step by step processed Theory and math Calculation. Trying to figure out how they do it.

In business, studying their strategy In movement, understanding the form In writing, seeing the structure In chess, analyzing the position. (These are all valuable and necessary) (Sometimes easier though and can be a crutch)

In Chess, overanalysis can be a crutch - Engines and Analysis paralysis

The second way is to just try it. Do it yourself. Get on the floor and move. Build your business (fail and learn) In writing, just write In chess just play.

This way, you try to copy and you see the gaps. Then you learn how to fill it in.

Ira Glass on taste and talent and creativity You have the taste. You know what good movement looks like You know what good chess looks like. You just can’t match that yet with what you’re capable of.

And there’s no way around it but to practice.

Express myself §

As you copy. You’ll find that slowly, you suddenly become able to express yourself more. To manifest your own unique style

Because as you try to close the gap, Between what your taste likes and what you’re capable of You discover that it becomes this third thing Which is you Your own unique epxression

With movement I try to move like Ryan And I find I cannot But my own body lets me move in a way that is uniquely my own and I express that

and with writing. To harness my ideas I try to write like David but I cannot and in trying I learn to write like me.