Why Do Some Books Give Us Information but Not Real Understanding? > Likes and Comments

Many books provide large amounts of information about a topic.
Yet sometimes after finishing a book, we feel that we have learned many facts but still do not fully understand the subject.
At other times, a single book can completely change the way we think about a topic.
Why do you think this difference occurs?
Is understanding created by the quality of explanation, the structure of ideas, or the reader’s own reflection while reading?
I’m curious to hear which books helped you move from information to genuine understanding.

What a thoughtful questions you brought here,

We usually get more connected to the idea with more familiarity with our own ideals. That’s why some books can only understand half, some are not at all, and some are only ignited by something that truly matters in our own meaning. I think understanding is a very broad concept, but it all starts with two things: the delivery from the writer and the familiarity of the reader. That’s why most people are more connected through the fiction, because we talk about empathy and emotion. Same as me, my understanding more often comes through stories, parables, and fables. The Epic of Gilgamesh, Siddhartha by Herman Hesse, and Semua Ikan di Langit by Ziggy Zezsyazeoviennazabrizkie.

I agree with S.R. in that often books may have a lot of information, and a month later, when we try to explain it to someone, we cannot.

Perhaps it has to do with the structure of our minds. Like Keiralika mentioned, parables and stories seem to work. Perhaps that is why Jesus used them?

We like information that is structured in a way that is easily digestible to our minds. We like lists, such as "The 10 ways to impress your boss", or "the best 25 anniversary presents"... stuff like that. Our minds are drawing to it.

In the same way, stories work. I remember the Lord of the Rings. I can tell you about the different types of beings and their characteristics. But if you just gave me a really short essay on the creatures of middle earth, I wouldn't remember it all 10 years later. Even if your essay was an indepth study that took just as long to read as the LOR.

So, yes, I think it has to do with the structure of our minds, and whether the writer is appealing to our hardwiring.

But I would like to add one other point. In my writing, I write nonfiction essays. I think to best implant people with your ideas, it is best to get them to discover them on their own. You prod, you lead, and you let them come up with the idea. It's theirs, and then it becomes an epiphany, something they will always remember and defend.

"Who Needs Information?"
--Roger Waters, Radio K.A.O.S.

Feliks wrote: ""Who Needs Information?"
--Roger Waters, Radio K.A.O.S."

Information is overrated (((proceeding to consume all of the informations in the world))).

Nanendra wrote: "Feliks wrote: ""Who Needs Information?"
--Roger Waters, Radio K.A.O.S."

Information is overrated (((proceeding to consume all of the informations in the world)))."

You are right. What good is knowledge if you don't practice? Especially when it comes to improving your life, or spiritual attainments. You can read all the books, and then go watch porno. You would still be nowhere.

It is all about practice. What do you do every day? That is what will make your life.

S. R. wrote: "Many books provide large amounts of information about a topic.
Yet sometimes after finishing a book, we feel that we have learned many facts but still do not fully understand the subject.
At other ..."

I feel that a book is not a collection of information. It's an expression of the ideas, thoughts, and emotions of the author in the form of words. When this expression aligns with a reader's heart, that's when the reader feels connected and progresses towards reading it.

Though the quality, structure, and language motivate one to read a book, it's largely linked to how the reader can connect.

As a reader, I always cherish reading the books that are close to my heart (my values).

Information is passive ("semantic" knowledge), while understanding (or dense comprehension) is both a functional and active process. If a book just lists facts (i.e. labels), it lacks the context or structural depth needed to assist your brain in categorizing these new ideas. The "why" and "how" are key requirements, along with cross-contamination of materials that lead to true understanding.

Our brains are built to choose the route of least resistance, yet true understanding requires building neural chunks of memory, which thrive off recognition (easy) or recall (more difficult). Ironically, the biological conflict of cognitive strain is crucial to this process - in fact, books that give true understanding force the brain to indulge in Neuroplastic Reconfiguration!

The Illusion of Competence is a critical concept to understand and therefore shatter - which can only be done through testing yourself through desirable difficulties. It is also critical to note that books promising step-by-step lists or "life hacks" tend to miss the ultimate point of non-fiction instructions in the first place - to understand foundational principles and underlying law, allowing access to a skill rather than just a shortcut.

The Active Reading Test (to see if a book is giving you understanding or simply data):
1) Can you guess what the author is about to say next? If no, good, go to...

2) Translate abstraction into reality (i.e. what real life scenario can you relate to as concept from the book?)

3) What are the arguments against what the author is saying? (If you can't think of anything, you are passively absorbing information with no critical analyzation).

The inventor of TRIZ (a problem-solving methodology), Genrich Altshuller, suggested some words worth consideration:

​"You do not understand a concept unless you can use it to solve a problem you have never seen before."

Why books donʼt work | Andy Matuschak
https://andymatuschak.org/books/

Books are for thinking, not reading:
https://www.linkingyourthinking.com/i...

I just saw this Active Reading Test on substack... maybe you were the guy who posted it?

Thank you for raising such a thoughtful question. I believe information becomes understanding only when the reader gives it time to settle and tests it against lived experience. In Business Yoga, I describe a journey in which data becomes information, information becomes knowledge, knowledge guides decisions, and the outcomes of those decisions gradually shape wisdom. A book may open the door, but reflection allows us to walk through it. This is why the yogic practice of Swadhyaya self-study and self-reflection is so important. We do not truly understand an idea merely because we can repeat it; we understand it when it changes how we perceive, choose, or act. The books that transform us are often those we meet with attention, readiness, and honest reflection.

Sorry I have been a bit remiss in posting to the group (although I have been following quite a bit). I think this is an interesting question posed. I think sometimes oftentimes information is there to guide us, but it is up to us to dig for meaning, like when we reading a novel, story, poem. I find it fascinating that three readers can read the same novel, for instance, and find three entirely separate morals or lessons to take from said novel. It is a fascinating question to ponder over, though.