Interviewer: How do you learn so much so fast? Lots of people read books and talk to other smart people, but you’ve taken it to a whole new level.

Musk: I do kinda feel like my head is full! My context switching penalty is high and my process isolation is not what it used to be.

Frankly, though, I think most people can learn a lot more than they think they can. They sell themselves short without trying.

One bit of advice: it is important to view knowledge as sort of a semantic tree, make sure you understand the fundamental principles, ie the trunk and big branches, before you get into the leaves/details or there is nothing for them to hang on to.

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Throughout my time at university, I have relied on mind maps to aid in my studying.

The concept of perceiving information as a semantic tree is both enlightening and liberating. From a greater level of perspective to a teeny-tiny amount of intricacy.

This method may be used in any subject matter, including science, entrepreneurship, psychology, and so on.

Whenever you learn anything new, start with understanding the main trunk and major branches of the topic and then work your way into the specifics.