School is back in session for many students, but we are all born to learn, as curious students of life. It’s vital then that we are able to discern what is good and useful from what is twaddle. It’s not just about effort; it’s about focus, and what we focus upon is what we become.
‘’It is nothing short of a miracle that modern methods of instruction have not yet entirely strangled the holy curiosity of inquiry.’’ – Einstein [quoted in The New York Times, March 13 1949, p. 34].
The media bombards us with information on a daily basis, from the moment we wake up to the time we go to bed. Social media, news channels, and advertising platforms all compete for our attention, making it challenging to filter through the noise and find meaningful content. With the rapid advancements in technology, this competition has intensified, with notifications, emails, and alerts constantly vying for our focus. As a result, many of us find ourselves torn between succumbing to the never-ending stream of information or attempting to block it out entirely, seeking moments of peace and quiet amidst the digital chaos.
How can we discover and digest useful information like a “genius” without overload?
The following video explains how in detail, but I will summarize it with the table below. The acronym P.A.C.E.R. helps us to remember how to categorize information into useful categories.
| Letter | Acronym |
|---|---|
| P | Processes/Procedures |
| A | Analogous |
| C | Conceptual |
| E | Evidence |
| R | Reference |
Processes/Procedural information: The correct methodology for performing a task. Analogous information: Knowledge that extends from previously acquired information. Conceptual information: Ideas and knowledge suitable for conceptual mapping. Evidential information: Concrete technical data supporting conceptual knowledge. Reference information: Specific details not committed to memory, but available for retrieval when needed.
We are curious souls, creative by nature, as God made us in His image.
Even when using the P.A.C.E.R. system to understand and organize information, it’s essential to further engage ourselves by putting what is good to know into practice.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9
Searching for truth, beauty and wisdom in this wonderous world, can be like treasure hunting for gold. We need to focus on learning what is true and useful, and not be fooled or distracted by what is false.
How will we know what is true, useful, beautiful and good? We can start with the beginning…
Genesis 1:31New International Version
Studying the natural world from a book is fine, but even better to experience and examine the beauty for yourself and be in awe of the mystery and detailed work of the true genius Creator.
💗 Wishing you amazing love, gratitude, and lifelong learning.
More articles at https://goodadvice4life.blogspot.com/.
