See you soon?

It is strange to observe how birds are born knowing how to move their wings, but having to learn to fly. Why, if they have wings, are they not born knowing how to fly? This is what happens with almost everything that worms, wolves and humans eventually need to know how to do: we are not born knowing how to do it and we have to learn it. Let's think about it, people have to learn to walk, talk, use their hands and develop a sense of humor (some of them). This is so, specialists tell us, because the biologically most effective and adaptable way of having knowledge to operate in our ecosystems is through learning, not through innate cognition. This happens with protozoa, fungi, invertebrates and vertebrates. This is also how AI is built: through learning. This is not an incredible coincidence, scientists developed AI inspired by natural intelligence after dissecting and analyzing it.

There are three types of human knowledge. We have academic knowledge: it is very useful and its acquisition requires effort, patience and, to reach some levels, innate talent. It has predictable returns, is accessible to many and is blood flow to the brain. There is obvious knowledge: it is knowing that 100 cm is equal to 1 m, that people do not like queues and that AI will change the world. It is not very useful, and it is better not to proclaim it if one wants to make a good impression. We also have non-obvious knowledge. It is Asterix's magic potion and it is what makes the difference between those who know how to do some things and those who do not. It is the kind that requires unusual perception, having thought a lot, having made mistakes, time and practice. Unfortunately, it is difficult to acquire and is usually counterintuitive, which is why few people have it and it is never clear where to find it. That is why many people do not know how to win elections, tell jokes or dress well. That's why it's advisable to listen to those who know how to do things that we don't know how to do, even if they say things that seem strange. The non-obvious is an acquired taste.

Writing for 'La Vanguardia' has been a great honour and an unexpected source of learning

In order to learn, we must not undervalue theory, however much it may be maligned. A brain that reads, thinks, discusses and writes is a brain that goes to the gym. Perhaps the most striking example would be that of Immanuel Kant, the philosopher who, during the Enlightenment, changed the way of thinking and understanding ethics in the world. He did so without ever travelling beyond the outskirts of his native Königsberg and without having any other job than thinking.

For all these reasons, many of us think that reading is important and defend it as a great learning tool. But if reading is a learning system, so is writing. Writing even minimally well is not easy: it requires organizing ideas, simplifying, identifying what is important, thinking about what the reader may not know and knowing what you are writing about. Writing involves repetition, repetition and more repetition, and that reinforces all learning.

Read also Fifty years of chance Marc Murtra

Writing for La Vanguardia has been a great honour for this commentator. At home, and in the houses he frequented as a young man, La Vanguardia was the balcony he went out to and looked out onto. When one is nostalgic, that weighs heavily. Being able to write has also been a powerful autopoietic and an unexpected source of learning. Putting ideas down in writing has forced the author to confront their contradictions and vagueness and has been surprisingly useful. That is why he recommends writing. The reader will judge whether this proposition is an obvious or non-obvious proposition. He will also decide whether the effort of writing is worth it compared to many other forms of learning, other responsibilities and so many entertainment options.

This columnist now has other responsibilities and these require complete dedication and concentration. With this, he has to pause after eleven uninterrupted years of giving his opinion in writing on a regular basis. He hopes to have done so in an educated manner and with arguments. He does so with a bit of regret and knowing that it has been worth it. He is also grateful to those who opened the door for him to enter this very special room, to La Vanguardia and its readers. This author will continue writing, but not an opinion column.