This article explores how to find personal interests and establish a unique knowledge territory through broad exploration and in-depth study in various fields such as literature, philosophy, and Web3. Using literature as an example, it suggests starting from extensive reading of world classics to focusing on in-depth research of writers like Tolstoy; philosophy can be approached through an overview of historical texts to close reading of classic texts by philosophers like Kant; for Web3, it recommends starting from introductory books to practical tools, focusing on companies like ConsenSys or the RWA track.
Entering a new field, learning a new knowledge or skill, often begins with broad exploration, much like wandering through a vast forest, getting to know each tree and each type of vegetation. Gradually, you will find parts that resonate with your inner self, delve deeper around them, and ultimately carve out your own territory in this forest.
For example, literature
In studying literature, you initially open up the map of world literature: reading classics from China, Russia, France, the UK, Japan, and other countries, encountering the most brilliant literary works in human civilization. After being immersed in a hundred or so classics, you will discover those writers and works that resonate with you.
For instance, I am fond of Tolstoy. Therefore, conducting in-depth reading around Tolstoy involves not only his novels but also biographies, critiques, and others' studies of him, even the social currents in the historical context. Through the perspective of a writer, you can deeply understand the macro world of literature and find your connection with it.
Similarly, philosophy
The study of philosophy follows a similar path. First, overview the history of Western philosophy, such as Deng Xiaomang's "History of Western Philosophy" and Zhang Zhiwei's "Fifteen Lectures on Western Philosophy," then move on to Russell's "History of Western Philosophy." Different scholars' perspectives can help you establish an overall framework.
Afterward, you can choose classic philosophical texts from each period, such as Plato and Aristotle from ancient Greek philosophy, Aquinas from the medieval period, and Descartes, Spinoza, Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche from modern times. By reading dozens of classic texts, you will gradually find philosophers that align with your interests and values, such as my preference for Kant, leading me to delve into his "Critique of Pure Reason," "Critique of Practical Reason," and "Critique of Judgment." From this point, you will gradually become a specialized researcher in a particular philosophical field.
Eastern philosophy follows a similar logic, from classics of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism like "Tao Te Ching," "Diamond Sutra," "Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch," to Wang Yangming's philosophy of mind. Although the word count is not large, it contains endless wisdom.
For example, Web3
Web3 is an emerging industry, having only been around for about 15 years since the birth of Bitcoin in 2009, and less than 10 years since the emergence of Ethereum smart contracts in 2015. Although there are many concepts and definitions in this field, the total amount is limited, making it not difficult to sort out.
In the initial stage, you can start by reading a few introductory books, such as "Blockchain Revolution," "Blockchain Illustrated," and "Blockchain Industry Dictionary." These books can help you grasp the basic concepts and historical context of blockchain. Subsequently, through learning and practical experience, you can engage with mainstream tools and platforms, such as creating wallets, participating in transactions, or understanding decentralized finance (DeFi).
In practice, you will gradually discover directions that interest you, such as the RWA track or certain tech companies. Personally, I am very fond of ConsenSys and its founder Joseph Lubin, whose philosophy has shown me the social significance of blockchain technology. By studying these companies, individuals, or tracks, you can delve deeply from one point and then master the core knowledge of the entire field.
In summary, regardless of what field you are interested in—literature, philosophy, blockchain, music, design, craftsmanship, or other emerging industries—as long as you have passion, you can enter and master it. Through broad learning, you can gradually find points of resonance, and then continuously delve deeper around that point, allowing you to at least become a "professional player" among those around you.
Especially now, with the assistance of AI, the threshold for learning and mastering skills is lower and faster. AI can become your ally, helping you organize resources, optimize learning paths, and even explore more possibilities.
So, friends, if you have ideas, take action! Become a writer, composer, designer, director, or a pioneer in Web3, defining your small world with passion and effort. As the Southern Weekend's 2025 New Year message states: "Define the algorithm of the world with your way of living" and create a small world that belongs to you.
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