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9 tweets,
2 min read
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1/ Finished my 87-tweet megathread on the history of chocolate!
I had an ulterior motive: this was an experiment in modern, immersive, accelerated learning. I wanted to see how much I could learn about chocolate in two weeks
I had an ulterior motive: this was an experiment in modern, immersive, accelerated learning. I wanted to see how much I could learn about chocolate in two weeks
2/ The ability to obsess about something in a targeted and strategic way seems like an increasingly valuable skill. We can’t spend months learning about a new topic when things change so quickly
3/ First step was to start reading True History of Chocolate book, which gave me historical, cultural, social background. But I didn’t want it to be only theoretical, so I also signed up for this 3-day chocolate making workshop
4/ Also wanted it to be social. I started stopping by @CentralCacao every day, to chat, ask questions, and usually pick up a bar they recommended. Followed anyone on twitter or Facebook that seemed really into chocolate. Shared chocolate I made in workshop with everyone I met
5/ And final step was making things, during the workshop, the tweetstorm above, and the YouTube video. Gives me a way to record/remember what I learned, something to be proud of, and to spark conversation online and in person
6/ So my formula for intensive immersion = narrow subject + limited timeframe + background reading + embodied practice + social reinforcement + making things + sharing. Immersion is the best way to learn, but necessitates good ways of documenting
7/ Even discovered a possible connection to my work: farmers can earn double the revenue by adopting modern, cutting edge cultivation & harvesting techniques favored by premium buyers. Versus only 5-10% increase w/ fair trade & organic certifications
8/ So effective learning and knowledge management might be key to the future of chocolate cultivation, especially small scale, artisanal, indigenous cultivation. It’s the only niche they can compete in
9/ Chocolate also seems to have powerful ritualistic & healing properties. I had a powerful experience at a workshop at Burning Man involving “sacred” chocolate that was used as a medicinal substance by pre-Hispanic people’s. I’ll report back
