Pragmatic Thinking and Learning
by Andy Hunt · first published 2008
72% recommend28% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Treats learning as a practicable skill, covering the Dreyfus model of skill progression, building a skill investment portfolio, and cognitive biases. Programming-flavored; suits developers who want to learn better.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Together we'll journey together through bits of cognitive and neuroscience, learning and behavioral theory. You'll discover some surprising aspects of how our brains work, and see how you can beat the system to improve your own learning and thinking skills. In this book you'll learn how to: Use the Dreyfus Model of Skill Acquisition to become more expert Leverage the architecture of the brain to strengthen different thinking modes Avoid common "known bugs" in your mind Learn more deliberately and more effectively Manage knowledge more efficiently Software development happens in your head
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2010–2026Everyday Zen
Charlotte Joko Beck
Recommended by 3 · mentioned by 33 recommend · 3 mention3 recommend · 33 recommend
Software Developer's Career Handbook
Michael Lopp
Recommended by 3 · mentioned by 43 recommend · 4 mention3 recommend · 43 recommend
2021–2024Opening the heart of compassion
Martin Lowenthal
Recommended by 2 · mentioned by 22 recommend · 2 mention2 recommend · 22 recommend
2010–2026Warbreaker
Brandon Sanderson
Recommended by 19 · mentioned by 2319 recommend · 23 mention19 recommend · 2319 recommend
Web scalability for startup engineers
Artur Ejsmont
Recommended by 9 · mentioned by 109 recommend · 10 mention9 recommend · 109 recommend
2007–2026The Pragmatic Programmer
Andy Hunt, Dave Thomas
Recommended by 353 · mentioned by 589353 recommend · 589 mention353 recommend · 589353 recommend
2010–2023Switch
Chip Heath, Chip; Heath, Dan Heath
Recommended by 14 · mentioned by 1514 recommend · 15 mention14 recommend · 1514 recommend
2010–2024The Complete Robot
Isaac Asimov
Recommended by 5 · mentioned by 75 recommend · 7 mention5 recommend · 75 recommend
…Code" by Daniel Coyle - yes, the title is cheesy but it's a good book, I've read it in pretty much one sitting. A gentle and entertaining introduction into the whole field of how to become an expert. "Pragmatic Thinking and Learning: Refactor Your Wetware" by Andy Hunt also spends an whole chapter on deliberate practice. It's a very good book, too. EDIT: This blog post by Derek Sivers could be considered as an example of deliberate…
on “Twelve Tips to Master Programming Faster” ↗Pragmatic Thinking and Learning: Refactor Your Wetware by Andy Hunt http://pragprog.com/titles/ahptl/pragmatic-thinking-and-lear... Worth a look.
on “Ask HN: Are there any good self development/hacking books out there” ↗The best way is to complete as many projects as you can and read as much code as you can. You'll want to take a deliberate learning approach. Check out out "Pragmatic Thinking and Learning" by Andy Hunt. It will show you how to build a skill investment portfolio.
on “FROM useless compsci undergrad TO web app developer: how do I get started?” ↗That does look interesting but it might be too philosophical for many hackers. I would instead recommend Time Management for Sysadmins, Tim Lemoncelli, O'Reilly and Pragmatic Thinking and Learning, Andy Hunt, PragProg. Both are interesting and helpful but much more practical, especially TMSA, which I should dust off and re-read. http://everythingsysadmin.com/books.html http://pragprog.com/book/ahptl/pragmatic-thinking-and-learni...
on “The Zen Programmer” ↗…the day. I didn't try anything else. > BTW, highly recommend checking out The Healthy Programmer book Thanks, I'll check it out! I highly respect the Pragmatic Bookshelf for Pragmatic Programmer and Pragmatic Thinking and Learning. The book you linked is one hell of an expense, but if it could help, then I guess it may be worth it. > Virtual manly hug mate! * hug * #HNTherapy [0] - http://imgur.com/76HUN
on “Ask HN: How can I tell if I have programming aptitude?” ↗…options to publish a version of the wiki and make it editable by anyone, perhaps using [Git](https://github.com/gollum/gollum/). I got this idea from the Manage Your Knowledge section of Andy Hunt's [Pragmatic Thinking and Learning](https://pragprog.com/book/ahptl/pragmatic-thinking-and-learn...), that I warmly recommend to anyone interested in learning.
on “Ask HN: How do you organise/integrate all the information in your life?” ↗A really good book on this is "Pragmatic Thinking and Learning: Refactoring Your Wetware" by Andy Hunt (of the Pragmatic Programmer series of books). I particularly like the explanation of the Dreyfus model of skill progression: Novice, Advanced Beginner, Competent,…
on “Differences between expert and novice brains in mice: study” ↗…that good. This book made me truly undersy recursion. I understood recursion before, and used it to solve problems, but this is the book that totally scratched my surface and instilled recursion in it. Pragmatic Thinking and Learning is the first book of its kind that I ever read. I was surprised by the quality of it. It is a very nice book with scientific and actionable advice. Will recommend it, too. (Although there are some issues…
on “When programming books are wrong” ↗…Bhante Henepola Gunaratana - Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright - Mastery by Gordon Leonard - Learning How to Learn (Coursera) - Mind Illuminated by Culadasa - Atomic Habits by James Clear - Pragmatic Thinking and Learning by Andy Hunt
on “My lizard brain is no match for infinite scroll” ↗…day, and only in a particular time. Even if I wait at a store or ride the elevator, I rather stare at the wall than pull up my phone. I recommend two books and a podcast- * Deep Work by Cal Newport * Pragmatic Thinking and Learning by Andy Hunt * Huberman Lab Podcast
on “Ask HN: How do I develop focus?” ↗…are waiting in a queue or riding Uber. Just stare out of the window. 5. I have personally found meditation and exercise to be very highly effective. Books that helped: 1. Deep Work by Cal Newport 2. Pragmatic Thinking and Learning by Andy Hunt 3. Atomic Habits by James Clear
on “Ask HN: Increasing Deep Work Tolerance” ↗…Systems - The Data-Centric Revolution - Code Complete - Data Management at Scale Self-help: - So Good They Can't Ignore You - Deep Work - A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science - Pragmatic Thinking and Learning - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Ultralerning Misc: - The book of proverbs in the Bible - The rest of the Bible - On Intelligence
on “Ask HN: Which books you have read till now that were worth investing time in?” ↗…and instead, time is spent on honing much fewer number of skills. 6. "Deep Work" by Cal Newport has really helped me with my productivity and happiness, and made me give up social media. Same goes for "Pragmatic Thinking and Learning" by Andy Hunt. 7. "Atomic Habits" by James Clear has been effective in many ways of my life. 8. "Mindfulness in Plain English", "The Mind Illuminated", and " What the Buddha Taught" have made me a better…
on “Ask HN: What book changed your life?” ↗…me. I guess it is more geared towards suits, MBAs, managers, etc. Not for intellectual knowledge workers working on the cutting-edge. Two books that immensely helped- 1. Deep Work by Cal Newport 2. Pragmatic Thinking and Learning by Andy Hunt Two books for meditation- 1. -The Mind Illuminated* by Culadasa et. al. 2. Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana Learning about Buddhism and Buddha's teachings have…
on “Ask HN: What methods do you use to focus and stay relaxed?” ↗…before you know it. See: http://lifehacker.com/281626/jerry-seinfelds-productivity-se... I would point you to two other reference materials. One, is Andy Hunt's (of the Pragmatic Programmers) book: "Pragmatic Thinking and Learning" which I cannot recommend enough. Second is 37Signals "Rework", which I also heartily reccomend. One thing Pragmatic Thinking & Learning touches on is S.M.A.R.T. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.M.A.R.T.…
on “Ask HN: Please, help me understand what I am doing wrong.” ↗