Hello everyone! 18M here from Karachi, Pakistan. Please forgive and disregard any grammatical mistakes or errors I might make in this post as English is not my first language.

Recently, I have been trying to learn the ability to research basically any topic that intrigues me, but I'm very confused as to how to actually do this.

I've read some reddit posts (in this subreddit aswell) and information online regarding this inquiry, and from what I understand most of them discuss how to conduct what I would refer to as "academic research", which seem to be more focused on helping university students on how to write research papers and what not. The main issue here is that I'm not really interested in learning how to do university level research, but is this an requirement if someone really wants to know how to really research something? Some reddit posts literally recommended learning statistics and learning how to read research papers, and on top of that learn to see if the research is credible or not aswell? Do I really need to do all of that though? Do I really need to learn formal research?

My main goal here is to learn how to be more well informed in topics that I seem to be curious about, not writing a research paper or something or becoming an expert in that field. I only want to learn as much as my curiosity requires really, and not much more.

Anyhow I have tried to conduct research on a topic by using these academic research methods, because they do somewhat align with my goal, but I'm having a hard time in really knowing what should be my limit on how much research I need to do exactly. I can't figure out what would be optimal for my specific research needs and how much would be "more than enough" for my goals.

Let me give you an example, recently I decided that I wanted to learn more about Artificial Intelligence, I first decided exactly what questions I wanted to answer regarding this topic, to really try to define the scope of my research, then I started by reading the Wikipedia article on this topic, went down to the references section and found the book "Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach". It's a very well known book, so I decided I could use this source first. I'm mainly interested in learning:

-What actually is AI? and getting an overview on Artificial Intelligence

-What are LLMs and Gen AI? and how do they work?

-What are the limitations of AI and it's future?

This is basically what I'd currently like to know more about AI, and perhaps I could later more to other sub topics in the field of AI if I feel like it.

When I read the first chapter of the book I was able to pretty easily answer the first question, but then I started to get really confused and became lost in what topics should I cover or not. Am I supposed to finish this entire book to understand AI? I don't think that's required for what I'm interested in learning, or is it? Am I supposed to finish an entire university level textbook to answer these questions? Should I utilize more sources or stick to one first and focus on properly understanding that first? I used NotebookLLM and it's voice overview feature to help me in finishing the first chapter aswell, and I even had the idea of not reading the entire book and use it to make one big summary of every chapter, but can this even be considered proper research? If I summarize everything too much won't I not properly understand or miss some key concepts? I've heard that apparently I'm not supposed to rely heavily on LLMS for research as they can hallucinate and make stuff up. So really I don't know what to do honestly.

That is just one example, but this has happens alot to me I feel like. Obviously, I understand that research is a skill that can be developed like any other, and every topic or subject has it's own difficulty level. For example I've recently also been learning about WWII, and have had no problems learning about it, infact I've been having alot of fun. But whenever I try to approach a topic that's a little complex, I just get overwhelmed and give up. This happens to alot of other topics I try to approach, and I just end up giving up and not bother learning about them. I don't feel like mentioning them here, because I think this post is already getting longer than it probably needs to be. Also I often have alot of difficulty checking the credibility of sources, or finding sources in the first place at times. I don't know how to know which sources are really worth my time, and which are BS. I can often find information regarding the bias of some sources on Wikipedia, and their funding and political leanings, but the real tragedy is that I literally don't know almost anything at all about politics in the first place, so this information basically ends up being useless to me. Also I find checking the credibility of every single source on Wikipedia a little overwhelming aswell, and I often also feel like, perhaps, just maybe I'm being a little too suspicious or paranoid regarding the credibility of a source at times aswell and going just a little overkill.

I feel like I might going a little too hard on myself, and I'm expecting myself to do too much. My Main issue is that I'm from a third world country and our education is really trash, and we do absolutely zero academic research, even in college. I think only university students really do any proper "research" in my country. Meaning we don't really learn to do research here as a part of our education, hence don't learn to develop this skill at an early age like people probably do in alot of western and other countries worldwide. So the thing is when I'm online I just feel like somehow everyone has aquired this secret skill which I just for some reason cannot understand or figure out. I feel extremely dumb. Not to mention that my reading comprehension isn't all that great either (although I'm working on this nowadays), and the fact that I don't even have a laptop available to me, and just have my phone to use research, which can make things just a little annoying as websites and reading in general can be weird on phones for some reason. Also I don't have alot of time to waste in my day, so I'd really like to learn how to research more effectively and not waste my valuable time on nonsense online.

All I want is to figure out how can I answer questions regarding certain topics which I'm curious about, from the ocean of information that is available online at my disposal, but without burning myself out too much to the point where It takes all the fun out of it and I just end up giving up due to getting overwhelmed. I just wanna know how some people can so easily research almost any topic they want, and how do they have all facts and information? how?? How do they know what they're talking about? How many sources do they use?

TLDR; Sorry if all this sounds like a big brain dump (because it probably is), but I mainly want to learn how to approach research in a methodological way that is reliable and isn't focused on academic research and more on curiosity driven personal research. Thank you in advance, and I'd be highly grateful if you actually read my entire post. Have a great day wherever you're from!

I am working professional, been in industry for almost 10+ years now .

I want to be witty, like on command . Over the years, people have called me sharp, intelligent, quick learner . Sometimes people call me funny but it's occasional like you were saying something else and people understood it in different context or something . But I have never been witty, I always liked it, I grew up in simple family, Mom & Pop are both serious type people, same for sis .

Recently, I met my gf's sister and the way she replies, she can make anyone and laugh she always has ready answer for anything. After we left the restro, gf told me that she wasn't always like this, she became only after crossing age of 25 . She was boring person before .

I always thought wit is something you born with but it doesn't feel the same. Can someone shade some light !

Hey everyone I'm new to coding and I am starting to learn c but i am really confused, i tried to figure out but there are lot of resources.. as I am a complete beginner to coding idk how to actually learn c and what to use ..

I would really appreciate if anyone can help, what should I do youtube tutorial? Any course? Any book?

Where should I exactly start ? And how do I do it ?

I've always been someone who likes making things with my hands, I've done woodworking for a few years now and recently got really into the idea of combining wood with metal frames for furniture, think industrial style tables and shelving. The problem is I have zero experience with welding and don't even know where a total beginner is supposed to start.

I don't have access to a shop or any equipment right now, so I'm not sure if I should be looking into community classes, renting time at a local maker space, or if it's realistic to learn basics safely at home with a cheap starter welder. I also don't know what type of welding is actually best for someone starting out, I've heard MIG is more beginner friendly than TIG but I don't know if that's actually true or just something people repeat.

Ideally I'd like to get comfortable enough within the next few months to start on a small personal project, nothing commercial, just furniture for my own place first. If anyone has gone from zero experience to being able to build basic frames, I'd love to know how you structured your learning and what mistakes you'd tell a beginner to avoid early on.

Whenever I’m giving a presentation at work or talking about something I’m passionate about in a group, I start speaking at 100 miles an hour. People often have to ask me to repeat myself, and I end up sounding frantic even when I know what I'm talking about.

How can I train myself to slow down my speaking pace and pause naturally without feeling awkward?

I have no social skills I get nervous when I talk to anyone but my friends I want to improve this side of me and I struggle with confidence
I want to learn how to open conversations with people and be confident

Never have I been so confused when choosing a post flair, but here we go.

So, I've been reading books and essays by David Sedaris and Paul Graham. What struck me about their writing is David Sedaris' approach to taking something very trivial from his life and expressing it in a humorous way, while Paul Graham has a clear and concise writing style, which makes comprehension easy.

I've been wanting to do something like this, but unfortunately, I've never studied the craft formally or taken it seriously before. I would really appreciate it if you could suggest books that teach the art and craft of writing good sentences, good personal essays, etc. Thank you!

The problem is, every design is unique and print on demand is expensive.

My phone died mid-hike last month in a state forest. I had a paper map in my bag, but when I pulled it out I realized I couldn't actually read it beyond "brown squiggly lines mean hills somewhere." I ended up just backtracking the way I came, which worked, but it rattled me knowing I'd have been stuck otherwise.

Now I want to actually learn this properly. Not just "contour lines mean elevation" but real skills: judging how steep a climb will be from contour spacing, matching terrain around me to the map to figure out my position, using a compass if I get turned around, and planning routes based on elevation gain, not just distance.

I don't need to go full orienteering, just enough to trust myself on a remote multi-day trip if the tech fails. Can I practice this in a local park before trying anything remote? And should I learn on paper map and compass first, or does it not matter if I start with apps?

If anyone has a step-by-step way they built this skill, I'd love to hear it. I learn best by doing, not just reading theory.

When i was in Highschool, History was my second enemy before Math, on because what i have to memorize names and years of someone who most likely to have ADHD, with that whole overload of knowledge, we were pushed to analyze that whole historical information that we hardly memorize, until now in some countries, students all around the world struggle that problem, and even to the point, some of them see history as a ‘useless’ subject about traumatic nostalgia and drama caused by mankind back in the past, even i thought about it as useless information to memorize with no relevancy on what we are doing in the present

This began to change, when I was introduced to Harrison Ford wearing a Fedora in the movie raiders of the lost ark, thinking he looks cool with a fedora and digging old places drive me from a student who wants to study law to study History, which led me to be accepted in History Education Major in a Public University in my Area, sure i didnt dug up old places, but i do other cool stuff that i expected, researching and learning History, but i dont expect and i once loath is teaching in a classroom, awakened my highschool ‘trauma’

In my 7th Semester, I delved into taking an Internship in a local school in my town, teaching History to a bunch of highschoolers, with the curriculum’s ambitious and also ambiguous target on learning students the capability to analyze, even though its curriculum failed for students to make an introduction for it.

With that i began 'experimenting’ on the learning method, and began to asking the question of ” why” in History , but it's a total mess because of 2 things: (1) I haven't able to grasp the correct method for them, basically my Method were too dependent on the previous teacher's method, (2) The Students aren't ready to Analyze their own without Ai, because they also not able to grasp the concept of analysis since the beginning they first entered high-school.

After my Internship, I began to take a job in different tutor institutions, and began teaching with many students in different ages, and they all have the same problem not able to grasp a whole concept, then I thought what if I provide the deep concept for them, that's why found the Inductive learning method where I teach history from the very beginning of the concept and from that knowledge it can grow, with this i can teach history to my students complex details easily for them, without them questioning the concept but instead asking possibilities.

For example, ancient civilization which I provide for my students, I teach the meaning of it, the pattern of how civilization was built rather than blurt out names and dates, and by then they have understood the simple and general concept of the topic and are able to grow that knowledge easily for them.

Are there any errors?, possibly, because each students have different needs and I have to able to adapt with my Method, hoping making history easier and with many improvisations and development through this inductive method

Most of the times my school exam ends up unfinished due to my slow handwriting

I want to mention:

I have a very tight grip, hence my hand often have strains

I dont know correct pen holding style...

Rest yall advice🙏

I know the basics of budgeting but I would like to learn about investing retirement planning taxes and long term financial decision making. Where should a complete beginner focus first?

i love fiction and writing, just like vegetables, they are the core of the universe.

but i struggle sometimes with wanting to read, but being so intimidated by how much i have left in the book, how hard it is to read efficiently, etc.

who can help me out here...?

english is not my first language, I actually speak Spanish, can someone tell me how to practice? I'm not that good at conversations

I would like to start producing some of my own food but only have access to a small balcony or patio. What should I begin with and what mistakes should I avoid as a beginner?

I am starting from scratch and would like to learn how to safely diagnose and fix common issues with things like fans vacuum cleaners coffee makers and other small appliances. What skills should I focus on first and what beginner projects would you recommend?

I am interested in learning how to build simple furniture and useful household items. What beginner tools and first projects helped you build confidence?

I want to improve my research skills on variety of topics including companies, stocks, history etc etc.

However with how google, youtube and other platforms push crap my way, I cannot find anything substantial and just end up spending hours on crap which does not serve the purpose. I have seen people digging out information which I cannot even find even though I know exactly what that is.

Can you guide me how do I go about it? Any tips and tricks would be helpful

I've been thinking a lot about how to use AI to actually learn, not just get answers.

The Feynman technique has always been the most effective way for me to master new concepts. Explaining an idea in my own words quickly exposes gaps in my understanding. While LLMs are great at explaining things, I find it difficult to have a natural, back-and-forth conversation that keeps pushing my understanding deeper.

My ideal setup would be something like a digital whiteboard that serves as my entire learning workspace, paired with a personal AI tutor I can talk to in real time. I could reason through problems, explain concepts aloud, ask questions, sketch ideas, and get feedback. Instead of giving me the answer, it would challenge my thinking, point out flaws in my reasoning, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions until I truly understood the material.

I'm curious, how do you use AI to learn?

Would a tool like this actually be useful to you? Imagine having a 24/7 personal tutor that understands your learning history, listens to your explanations, identifies misconceptions, and guides you toward the answer without simply giving it away. I can't be the only one!

(sorry if the flag is wrong)

I'm a greedy guy who wants to know, test and achieve everything.

I will become a club president next year. I have to remember people and actually care about them. I can do that. But I must arrange trips, join contests, make debates, plan learning sections... And other things.

And I have my school responsibilities too. I must do my homeworks and actually learn things. Also, I must do some projects only because I just want to.

My desire to know burdens me with responsibilities. I'm not scared.

But I'm unable to actually do anything. Even a single basic responsibility is too heavy for me.

Because:

- I don't know WHEN or HOW to set/arrange things. - I don't know how to collect materials to bring solutions to any problem. - I don't know how to balance my responsibilities and my personal time. - I don't know how to be aware of things to not make a mistake. - I don't know how to fix my mistakes.

I don't want to mess things up. I don't want to make people suffer because of my selfish desires. And running away is just leaving them behind. I refuse this. In worst case, I would descrase my responsibilities

My desire is to learn to take care of all of this. I want to do my absolute best!

(edit: spacing)

My mom keeps raving on about me needing to have common sense (fair) but so far all i hear from her is that it’s an innate thing. I’m so confused from it so that means it’s unteachable and it’s like intuition kind of. Idk pls help I wanna be better

Hello!

I have recently passed my 12 grade (PCM +CS) and will joining my college in August ...
I have started studying phyton basics (would say revised it)...
I have even started working on ULTRALEARNING like DIRECTNESS, FEEDBACK, RETRIEVAL ...

Now i need you help :)

Can you please tell me some 6-months projects that I can work upon using this ultra learning trick in order to stand out of the crowd !!!!

It would be greatly appreciated
Thank You

Hello! I am a native Arabic speaker who is proficient in English. My English proficiency is C1, which is good enough for me.

I am currently learning German and I really dig languages, except I don't want to become a polyglot - I know what I want:

- Get conversational/proficient in German for everyday life. (taken care of, already doing it).

- Become so good at English that I can (and do) teach it. (How?)

My (American) English accent is like 70% correct. There are some 30% peculiarities in my spoken English that exposes me as someone who has learned English as a second language (not that I want to be mistaken for a native).

But, to maximize my effectiveness as a teacher-to-be, I took an American English accent pronunciation assessment. I will soon find out which exact sounds/aspects of my spoken English need work to make myself more native-like in preparation to teach the language.

As for grammar and other stuff, I don't know any! The last time I studied English formally was over 10 years ago and the English I speak now is the result of immersion (using Reddit and the Internet in general).

So, I think I might also have to literally study English grammar and aspects of the language explicitly so I can teach them well.

So, how to do it, and how long will it take for me to become teacher-ready? (Online teaching - I don't want to work in some company or school)

Had some feedback from my line manager

I was told I was too confident at times and couldn’t read the room

My team likes me but they want me to be a pleasant person to work with and not act like a clever clogs

I know I want to work on the feedback but not sure how to go about it

Main ideas were to chill and ask people not work questions outside of the office for a start

Would be great to hear everyone’s input from people who do a good job of it!