Author: Yaki
What Three Big Names Say About Cognition
Zhang Yiming says: The deeper your understanding, the more competitive you are
Cognition is not a method; it is your understanding of a matter, which builds your competitive edge in that area. In theory, any factor of production can be developed through cognition; they all stem from cognition.
For example: how much money it takes to get a project up and running, whose money to use, what kind of people to hire, where to find them, what qualities they should have, and whether they can complete the task—only once you understand the matter sufficiently can you gain a competitive edge.
Luo Zhenyu says: Cognition is the only barrier between people
There used to be many barriers, such as lineage, background, city, education, official rank, and social status. But looking at the world today, these barriers seem to have blurred; having them no longer necessarily means you have a competitive edge.
In this era, there are so many examples of ugly ducklings turning into swans, all pointing to one barrier—the barrier of cognition. Your understanding of matters, the world, yourself, and others is what shapes you!
Yu Minhong says: You need to raise the level of your cognition
Diligence alone is useless. Being diligent at a low level is like an ox or a donkey turning a millstone its entire life—it hasn’t actually gone anywhere.
So you must raise the level of your cognition.
What exactly is cognition?
Known as the “father of cognitive psychology,”Ulric Neissersystematically integrated research on cognitive processes such as perception, memory, and thinking in his book Cognitive Psychology.
For example, when you see an apple (sensation), identify its shape and color (perception), recall its taste (memory), and judge whether it is ripe (thinking)—this series of processes is cognitive activity.
By continually refining our thought processes, we develop a deeper understanding of things. This entire process is what it means to improve our cognition.
How can you improve your cognition? Four ways
1. Be more receptive
Don’t cling to fixed ideas. Actively embrace new information and new things from the world around you. This openness can break down rigid thinking, make your mind more flexible, and help you avoid the cognitive trap of seeing things in black and white.
2. Read more
Reading isn’t just about taking in words; it’s about having a conversation with the author. With every book you read, you gain a concrete understanding of the world through someone else’s eyes, enriching your own perspective with their experiences, knowledge, and views.
3. Engage with differing perspectives
Seek out more clashes of opinion with different people. When perspectives collide, your brain adjusts its way of thinking and continually refines your understanding. You’ve probably experienced how, the more heated an argument gets, the clearer your own thoughts can become—as you talk, things suddenly start to make sense!
4. Get out and explore more
Get out more, learn about the world, observe it, and stay curious. Experience different cultures and meet different groups of people. This can activate the brain’s “diverse cognitive pathways” and help you break free from cognitive biases, allowing you to see issues from more angles.
I’m Yaki. Good night 🌙