Reading, the most effective way of learning

Black slaves were forbidden to learn to read and write as recently as 200 years ago. In many parts of the United States and Europe it was illegal to teach slaves to read and write. Many slaves at that time learned to read and write in a self-taught and clandestine manner, this being key to their escape from slavery and poverty.

A 16th century litterateur named Erasmus said, "When I earn some money I buy books. If there is any money left after that, then I buy food and clothing." Here we can see the high value placed on reading since ancient times.

Human civilization has left its culture and knowledge in books for more than 4 centuries.

As a general rule reading 10 to 20 books on a subject allows you to have more knowledge on that particular subject than most of the general population. In fact, if you read 200 to 300 books on a particular subject, you will be considered an expert on that subject by the general population.

Warren Buffett, considered one of the most successful investors of all time, said: "I sit in my office and read all day. Warren Buffett estimates that more than 80 percent of his workday is based on reading and thinking, only 20 percent is taking actions and making decisions.

Read, wellness for the brain

Unlike passive activities such as watching TV, watching documentaries or watching YouTube videos, reading requires an active part of the brain to engage in higher-level cognitive functions. Moreover, reading is not limited by speed.

The information that comes to us through videos and audio is limited by the speed at which they are played. These are created for an audience with average cognitive abilities. No matter how fast your brain absorbs information, during the viewing of a video, documentary or any other type of informational material in video or audio form you are going to have that information delivered to your brain at the same time as a person with slower capacity.

This is how this type of format works. Reading, on the other hand, has no such limit, you can read as fast as your own capacity allows.

To increase your reading skills doesn't take much. Increasing your reading and learning skills will allow you to acquire a massive amount of information and learn new concepts with greater speed. That's the key to productivity. That's why reading is the most effective form of learning; because in theory it is not limited by time.