Love letters to literature

How Intelligent People Teach Themselves Anything

The post argues that intelligent self‑learners treat knowledge as a pursuit rather than a commodity, citing historic figures like Spinoza, Lincoln and Douglass who taught themselves foundational skills. It emphasizes that self‑study is a deliberate practice, not random consumption of content. The author outlines a practical framework, beginning with a single, clear question and locating a foundational text to guide deeper exploration. Ultimately, the piece positions self‑learning as a skill anyone can acquire with the right approach.