In S4E5 of the @MAGICademy Podcast, my guest is Andrew Cohen. He is the founder of Brainscape, which is a programmed and adaptive flashcard app to learn and practice new skills and keep information fresh. We talk about his adventure and exploration of optimizing memorization, from learning a new language to optimizing skill and performance development; as well as how new technologies can support this optimization by helping us overcome the forgetting curve.

Andrew shares his views on the newest educational models presenting a more holistic approach, challenging their effectiveness, and advocating for a more traditional way of learning while still leaning on new technologies, algorithms, and feedback. He sees a way in which these new techniques can impact how we digest knowledge and how we can apply it to our personal and professional lives.

Conversation Outline

00:40 Andrew introduces himself

01:41 Brainscape and the reason behind it

03:05 Andrew’s background and personal motivations

06:25 The algorithm to help people remember things

12:45 Feedback mechanisms

15:05 Ways to understand when we’re wrong

18:30 Handling cognitive dissonance and keeping things realistic

19:20 Andrew’s own learning experiences

22:10 Different motivational strategies

24:52 Points and leaderboards 

27:20 The role of childlike wonder in Brainscape and for Andrew

30:15 Andrew’s view on the future

33:40 Challenges and struggles when looking into the future

34:40 Corporate uses for Brainscape

37:15 Andrew’s magic

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