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an idea in the mind, unconnected to other ideas, will die
- you will have no way to access it again except to recall it directly
- without paths back into an idea, it will eventually fade
- this process of accommodation requires extant ideas to change
- after learning the word “dog” a child may call every four-legged animal a dog
- as people help them understand what “dog” means it reshapes their understanding
ideas you don’t share with other minds will also die
- if you want an idea to live beyond your lifespan you should share it
- chances are, any idea you have is already being mulled over by other people
- by sharing ideas you can reinforce them in yourself and others
- this is how ideas find the right environment to flourish
ideas that don’t connect with ideas in society will also die
- knowledge is not a positivistic endeavor
- every new idea is not simply folded into the body of knowledge
- if people don’t value an idea, they won’t incorporate it into their own schemas
- therefore it is important to know your audience
- for example, are you communicating with a popular audience or gatekeepers