Thread by @sriramk

🧵 Someone asked on Discord how to "learn" a new space. I'm not an expert but here's my algorithm mid-2021. This works for me, may or may not work for you.

Tried to use the example of NFTs below that I tried to learn this year but can work for any space.

What I try to do is to build a "map" of the space - the lowest level fundamentals, high level analysis, key people, major companies, communities, movements.

1. Learn/do the basics:

For anything technical, I like to go deep on the fundamentals first. Write/deploy code/build something. Helps build scaffolding on top.

Here, learning ERC 721/reading popular contracts/learning through tutorials like from @WillPapper has been great.

2. Read key reading material/analysis:

Seek out all the papers/analysis/notable articles on the space - the "canon" in the space. If nothing else, will give you a sense of the language/meta of the space.

For NFTs, outside of the @a16z canon and @cdixon's writings, folks like @packyM , @viamirror , @gaby_goldberg , @Cooopahtroopa @jarroddicker and many others have great pieces.

3. Seek out key people:

This is 🔑. Find all the key people in the space, follow them on Twitter/Github/IG/Youtube. Engage in conversations with them/see what they talk about.

For NFTs, @zoink @scottbelsky @donnie (!) @twobadour have all helped me learn.

4. Hang out in the community:

When possible, hang out in the community - the Discord, the telegram. Also helps you figure out who the key people are and what is on their minds. Also really helps to be a valuable member of the community - lots of ways to add value even when new.

5. Write in public:

Last but probably most important, document your journey in public. People love to cheer on someone learning/adding back to the community and you writing/tweeting will not only help you with your process but help you with #1-4 above.

6. And have fun! As @tylercowen would say, it’s always fun to learn the culture codes of something new.

Come join me on Discord to chat this+anything else > discord.gg/sriramk