How to Learn The Science of Deduction

Last update: 22, September, 2023.

Now that you already have a brief understanding of the science of deduction, let me show you a short list on how to improve your inner Sherlock.

And if you don’t know what I’m talking about, check out my The science of deduction for dummies, because this is the science off deduction 102.

1. Pay attention to your daily surroundings

We are living in the attention economy, and people are getting good at getting your attention. When you walk outside, start watching a little, you will see 99% of people occupy themselves either with their phones or with their worries.

Chances are: you are too. By making a simple notice you can already save someone’s live from jay walking.

By practicing active observation, you’ll soon be able to tell a thing or two about someone’s personalities, what did they do, how are they feeling.

You might want to read: What makes Sherlock Holmes deduction so striking?

2. Practice critical thinking

Deduction is logic. Critical thinking is logic.

Even though the deduction that we’re talking about here is slightly different than critical thinking, practice it in other areas will help that particular area of your brain active.

Just like how we learn math in school not to use it directly in real life, but to develop that logic part of your brain.

In Parrotsplayground, I have a list of collected detective riddles that will definitely be good for your deduction skills development.

Simply go to “All categories” on top of any page, you will see Detective Riddles.

Take a few minutes to read and think for yourself. Don’t worry if you can’t solve it at the moment, keep stacking and come back later.

Some riddles will have clues for you, and all of them have answer at the bottom of the post. Don’t cheat, you’re not doing a test, you’re practicing, and the resource is limited.

3. Build up your data base

https://www.tumblr.com/parrotsplayground/722539516408266752/do-you-know-whats-the-easiest-way-to-solve-a

Some might say remember is not deduction. Yes, but it is absolutely vital to you deduction.

In my latest pole, 75% of deductionists agree that knowledge is one of the more important aspects for a deductive mind.

An interesting take from me: in Asia, teachers make students remember all the math identity up to the 3rd power, while in America, they don’t have to. As a result, Asians did basic math faster and with fewer steps. Asians have the “cheat code” and “active logic” while Americans don’t.

In Parrotsplayground, I’m also developing various tools for you guys to improve your data base, such as the body language course, Eli5 to give you easy and practical knowledge.

You might want to read: Data Building for Deduction

4. Keep learning

A lot of resources on the Internet are too general and can’t be applied. The same as if you ask how to be rich and they tell you to work and save money. No usable information.

There are however 3 sources that I recommend.

Firstly, The book: Observation: Visual Intelligence – Amy E.Herman.

Chapter I is such an eye opener for me. It’s amazing how I missed so many small details and even a big, obvious right in front of my eye details. Definitely recommend.

Secondly, Parrotsplayground.com lol

Thirdly, Damian Valens. He owns a blog Studies in The Art of Deduction. He posts a lot of theories on deduction

5. Surround yourself with like-minded people

You are the sum of the 5 people you spend most of your time with. You don’t need all 5 people to be deductionists, but if you want to improve your deduction skills, have at least half a person with you ?.

On reddit, r/deduction is the most active community right now for deduction, and it is also a place where I will post a lot of contents for the community.

They also have fair number of posts from other redditors with “deduce my room” which will give you real life experience without even stepping outside your door.

6. Improve your mind wellness

This one is too direct already. Deduction is a brain activity, strong mind = strong deductive reasoning skills. Look to improve your sleep, controlled level of stress and dopamine, etc.

In Parrotsplayground, go to “All categories” – “Control your mind”.

This is where I will post content that will help you positively change your mind.

Do check out Huberman Lab on Youtube. Tons of videos, podcasts with guest speakers from different apartment of neuroscience.

7. Train your body

I’m an absolute believer of strong body – strong mind. There are also plenty of studies that would support this argument.

You can start with my routine. When you wake up, do 10 push up. After work do another push up. Find another time in the day do 10 more push ups. Everyday or every 2 days, increase the number of each round by 1 or if it’s too easy for you already, add one more exercise.

Do you know that a little butterfly can start a whole hurricane?