#49 / Thinking Fast and Slow, On AI and Language Learning

Hello my friend! 👋

Daniel Kahneman, a scholar, has introduced the concept of “fast thinking” and “slow thinking,” based on the theory that human thinking operates through two systems. This theory earned him the Nobel Prize in Economics. Simply put, when people engage in complex thinking, they use “System 2,” which requires more brainpower and is energy-intensive. “System 1,” on the other hand, is unconscious and low-energy, allowing people to process problems automatically and swiftly.

This theory is equally applicable to language learning. For example, those learning English may feel extremely tired after a day of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English, especially in a work context. This fatigue arises because you are using the high-energy “System 2” for information processing. Now, with the aid of AI, we can enhance our abilities, particularly in reading and writing. However, for improving speaking and listening skills, traditional practice methods are recommended to gradually transition from “System 2” to “System 1,” thus reducing the energy cost of processing information in English.

While AI can enhance our asynchronous communication abilities in reading and writing, synchronous communication skills such as speaking and listening still rely on personal effort and continuous practice. This is a long-term process, but the potential benefits are significant.

Here’re a few things I’d like to share with you today 🙂

• How long it will take you to start?

• Weta Workshop’s View on 3D Printing

• Learning from my food prep

• Readwise Reader Custom Summary: A Game Changer! (and how to set your prompt)

Have a great one and see you soon!

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How long it will take you to start?

I joined a team for a hackathon recently, and one of my teammates had been planning to start a podcast since the pandemic began. When he shared photos of his setup, everything from his studio to his recording equipment and lighting was almost professional-level, much better than my makeshift setup in the upstairs office area. However, he hadn’t actually managed to launch a single episode until now. It took this hackathon, which I organized, for him to finally interview his first guest–his own product manager–and release his debut episode. He’s a programmer, and I think sometimes my programmer friends can get too caught up in the technical details and overthink things. Often, it’s better to just get started and not worry about being perfect.

Weta Workshop’s View on 3D Printing

During a visit to Weta Workshop, when asked about their take on 3D printing, they mentioned that the quality was too rough for professional, industrial-level movie production. However, they do use 3D printing for creating preliminary models. The current state of AI across various industries could be likened to the early days of 3D printing. But, with AI advancing rapidly, the situation could change quickly.

Learning from my food prep

I recently started planning my diet and realized that, like other things I’ve done in the past, it seems complicated and overwhelming at first. But once you actually start planning, things start to make sense.

I combined the food choices, what I already have in my fridge, and the nutritional knowledge I’ve picked up from fitness apps, and just jotted down this week’s meal plan on paper.

This way, first, I can stick to the meal plan when I have the time, and sometimes even prep in advance. Second, even when I’m short on time, I have a pre-planned idea of what I’m going to eat, rather than making spontaneous choices, which are usually the worst.

Readwise Reader Custom Summary: A Game Changer! (and how to set your prompt)

With just one click, I can get the essence of any videos, newsletters, or articles in my native language. I’m using a customized ReadWise summary prompt. I will show you why and how to do that in this video.

Check the full prompt from the video here: https://www.beartalking.com/readwise-summary

**Bear Academy Newsletter@2023**

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Bear Academy Newsletter

Non-crap tips and thoughts on design, product and technology ✨

🐻 Bear Who?

Hi there 👋, I’m Bear, a seasoned Product Designer with 15 years of overall design experience and six years in product design, transforming the user experiences for millions 📝

As an Apple Award-Winning Podcast Host at BearTalk and a Design Mentor at Springboard and CareerFoundry, I apply my self-taught design skills and science background to solve complicated problems and mentor budding designers 😃

In my downtime, you’ll find me reading, drawing, podcasting, and making videos about everything from tech to design and productivity 👨‍🎨

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• 💼 What I do：Product Designer at Xero

• 🌃 I also do：Design Mentor at Springboard and CareerFoundry / Founder at Bear Academy

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💡 Goodies

• Bear Academy - my courses around UX Design, AI, etc

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• Youtube.com/@Bearliu - A video is worth a thousand words

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• https://twitter.com/bearbig](https://twitter.com/bearbig) - Majorly I post in Chinese

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