Memory isn't freeform, it's triggered and asssociative. If I ask you what you were reading a year ago, you probably won't be able to tell me. But if I mention an associated experience or concept, your recall may be triggered and you'll be able to remember something relevant - and talk about it, possibly in some detail.
People are much better at remembering narratives and parable than facts, and also better at remembering practical experience than theory.
Textbooks are useless unless you do the exercises and use your new skills to solve real problems.
But it's also why liberal political and economic books rarely have much political influence.
The right always frames its points as memorable narratives with an emotional kick, not as attempts at objective analysis. The left rarely understands why this matters, or how you can use that one weird trick to persuade people to do all kinds of stupid and self-destructive things.
One thing that I learned from Gladwell's masterclass notes [1] is giving the reader (or listener in a speech) some candy. Candies are fluffy - but they also help readers/listeners retain more and also share more. Personally I've noticed myself using such candies to broach an idea with someone or a team - and the difference in interest is visible.
Memory isn't freeform, it's triggered and asssociative. If I ask you what you were reading a year ago, you probably won't be able to tell me. But if I mention an associated experience or concept, your recall may be triggered and you'll be able to remember something relevant - and talk about it, possibly in some detail.
People are much better at remembering narratives and parable than facts, and also better at remembering practical experience than theory.
Textbooks are useless unless you do the exercises and use your new skills to solve real problems.
But it's also why liberal political and economic books rarely have much political influence.
The right always frames its points as memorable narratives with an emotional kick, not as attempts at objective analysis. The left rarely understands why this matters, or how you can use that one weird trick to persuade people to do all kinds of stupid and self-destructive things.
See also the ad industry, talk radio, QAnon, etc.