Learning to Read (Again): A Postmortem on Upgrading My Reading Toolkit

A few months ago, I built a five-book reading list to fix how I read hard books:

  • How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler
  • Make It Stick by Peter C. Brown
  • Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte
  • Ultralearning by Scott H. Young
  • The Art of X-Ray Reading by Roy Peter Clark

To test the stack, I picked up Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, a novel I abandoned years ago. The experiment worked, but most of the books in the stack weren’t the reason why.

Roy Peter Clark’s The Art of X-Ray Reading gave me the only two mechanics that mattered. First, re-reading on the spot isn’t failure; it’s the entire method. Slowing down to read a single complex paragraph three times made the story click. Second, paying attention to sentence construction and word choice made Victorian prose actually entertaining.

To keep the momentum going, I tracked character names and wrote two-sentence chapter recaps. That lightweight friction meant I could pick the book back up after a long day without losing the plot.

The rest of the stack mostly got in the way.

Make It Stick and Ultralearning focus on test prep and rapid recall. Memorizing facts for an exam doesn’t help you appreciate craft or follow a dense narrative. Mortimer Adler’s How to Read a Book started well, but devolved into an exhaustive classification system that felt like homework. I wasted days grinding through the back half when I should have dropped it.

I’m splitting my reading into two distinct tracks now:

For heavy classics like Shakespeare’s Othello, I’ll use the full setup: real-time re-reading, sentence-level analysis, and quick scene summaries.

For lighter fiction and standard non-fiction, the extra tracking disappears. Margin notes and a single takeaway are plenty. If a business book makes its point in the first three chapters, I’ll skim the rest and move on.

Building a Foundation of Strength Through Rucking

Rucking, the simple act of walking with a weighted pack, is gaining traction for its efficiency and low barrier to entry. While it might seem as simple as putting on a backpack, Ruck Fit highlights several key pillars that ensure you build strength without burning out or getting injured.

The Science of the Pack

Rucking is a powerhouse for body re-composition, helping to melt fat while building muscle and bone density. However, it is vital to remember that rucking is a supplement to your fitness journey, not a replacement for traditional weight training. To maintain safety, the golden rule is to never mix rucking and running in the same movement; keep your rucks at a steady pace of 15 to 20 minutes per mile for the best results.

Strategic Progression: The 10% Rule

One of the most common mistakes is carrying too much weight too soon. The recommended approach is to establish a base weight and stick with it for two to four weeks. When you feel ready to advance, increase the load by only 10%, which often means adding just 2 or 3 pounds at a time. The ultimate goal is to work toward carrying 25% to 30% of your body weight safely.

Nutrition and Mobility

You cannot out-ruck a poor diet. High protein intake is essential for recovery, with athletes needing up to 1.0 gram of protein per pound of body weight. Integrating healthy fats like Omega-3s from walnuts and chia seeds further supports the body’s inflammatory response. Additionally, don’t neglect mobility. Following the Harvard Health model, ensure your routine addresses balance, coordination, range of motion, stamina, and strength to keep your joints healthy under the extra load.

The Mental Game: Seeking Discomfort

The physical benefits of rucking are often secondary to the mental ones. By proactively seeking the discomfort of a heavy pack, you rewire your brain to handle stress more effectively. When life interrupts your schedule, the mantra to live by is “Adjust, don’t abandon”. Modify the distance or the weight if you have to, but don’t quit. This adaptability is what builds true, long-term toughness

Designing Your Digital Ecosystem

The Power of the Second Brain

In an age of information overload, we often feel like we are drowning in data but starving for wisdom. My recent dive into Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte changed my perspective on how to manage my digital life. The goal isn’t just to save things; it’s to build a system where you can find anything you’ve ever learned or thought about within seconds.

Understanding PKM and Its Roots

Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) isn’t a new concept. Forte draws on a rich history of thinkers, from Niklas Luhmann’s Zettelkasten (a physical “slip box” of interconnected notes) to Vannevar Bush’s Memex. Today, we see this evolving into Digital Gardens, where ideas are planted and cultivated over time.

Moving Forward with PARA

The “secret sauce” of the book is the PARA method. It simplifies your digital life into four distinct buckets based on action-ability:

  1. Projects: What are you working on now?
  2. Areas: What do you need to maintain over time?
  3. Resources: What are you interested in for the future?
  4. Archives: What is finished but worth keeping?

This structure ensures you aren’t overwhelmed by “Resources” when you should be focusing on “Projects.”

Strategic Creativity: The Hemingway Bridge

One of the most practical tips Forte shares is the Hemingway Bridge. Ernest Hemingway would stop writing for the day only when he knew exactly what would happen next. By leaving yourself a “bridge” to the next task, you eliminate the friction of starting the next day. This, combined with Polanyi’s Paradox—the idea that we know more than we can express—allows our “Second Brain” to hold the details while we focus on the intuition.

Final Thoughts

As we see in the legacy of Octavia Butler, whose work reached new heights years after her death, a well-managed system of ideas can fulfill life goals we didn’t even know were within reach. If you’re ready to stop “deciding what an idea means” the second you see it and start building a library of insights, this method is for you.

Exciting News! A Dedicated Home for All Things Cybersecurity

Hey everyone,

I have some exciting news to share regarding the future of cybersecurity content on this blog. As many of you know, I’m passionate about all things tech, and cybersecurity has become an increasingly significant and engaging area for me.

Over time, the amount of cybersecurity-related content I’ve been sharing – from weekly project updates and interesting articles to video and podcast recommendations – has grown considerably. To give this crucial and fascinating field the dedicated focus it deserves, I’ve decided to launch a brand new blog solely dedicated to cybersecurity!

Introducing ctrlaltsec.com!

That’s right, all future cybersecurity content, including my weekly roundups, in-depth project discussions, reviews, and curated resources, will now be found at ctrlaltsec.com.

Why the Move?

This move will allow me to:

  • Dive deeper: Dedicate more time and space to explore specific cybersecurity topics in greater detail.
  • Stay focused: Create a more streamlined experience for readers who are primarily interested in cybersecurity.
  • Build a dedicated community: Foster a space where cybersecurity enthusiasts can easily find and engage with relevant content.

What This Means for You:

If you’ve been enjoying the cybersecurity content here, I encourage you to head over to ctrlaltsec.com and subscribe! You won’t want to miss out on the latest insights, resources, and updates.

What Happens to This Blog?

This blog will continue to exist and will likely focus on other tech-related topics and personal updates. So, if you’re interested in a broader range of my content, please stick around!

Thank You!

Thank you for your continued support and for being a part of this journey. I’m incredibly excited about this new chapter for my cybersecurity content and hope to see you all over at ctrlaltsec.com!

See you on the other side!

Head over to ctrlaltsec.com now!

A Must-Read for Parents of Gen Z and Gen Alpha: “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt

As a parent, it’s natural to be concerned about the impact of social media on our children. In recent years, we’ve seen an alarming rise in anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among young people. That’s why I was excited to dive into “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt, a thought-provoking book that sheds light on this critical issue.

I really enjoyed reading this book, which offers a comprehensive analysis of how social media is affecting our children’s lives and the world at large. As someone who values play-based childhoods and more independence for kids, I found myself nodding in agreement with Haidt’s arguments throughout the book. Although, I’m not always the best at executing these principles in my own children.

One of the most compelling aspects of “The Anxious Generation” is its accessibility. Written in an approachable tone, Haidt breaks down complex concepts into easy-to-understand language, making it a must-read for parents and caregivers alike. The author’s passion for this topic shines through on every page, inspiring readers to take action.

What I appreciated most about the book was how Haidt tackles tough topics like social media addiction, pornography, and the impact of technology on relationships. He offers practical advice for parents, educators, employers, and policymakers on how to mitigate these effects and promote healthier habits among young people.

As a parent of Gen Z or Alpha children, I highly recommend “The Anxious Generation” as an essential read. It’s not just a book – it’s a call to action. By speaking up and supporting the four foundational reforms outlined in the book, we can create a better future for our children. Haidt encourages readers to connect with others who share their values, creating a powerful movement that will inspire positive change.

If you’re looking for a thought-provoking read that will make you think about your role as a parent and how you can support your child’s well-being in the digital age, “The Anxious Generation” is an excellent choice. Sign up at www.afterbabel.com to access Haidt’s Substack posts on related topics and join the conversation.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

I highly recommend this book to anyone concerned about the impact of social media on our children’s lives. It’s a must-read for parents, educators, policymakers, and anyone who wants to make a difference in creating a healthier digital landscape for future generations.

Social Media and Minors

Some great content and interesting conversation around social media and minors (teens, etc.). I wanted to share this as I think it pertains to privacy.