About Me: Writing, Learning, and the Art of Thinking Out Loud

Hi there, and welcome! I’m Paul Marin, an ordinary guy with an extraordinary realization: the best way to learn anything is by organizing your thoughts on paper (or in this case, on a blog). If you’ve ever had a cluttered brain full of ideas bouncing around like hyperactive squirrels, you know the struggle—and also the potential. Writing isn’t just a way to express ideas; it’s how you *figure them out*. That epiphany came to me courtesy of a book that’s about as transformative as a triple espresso on a sleepy morning: “Writing to Learn” by William Zinsser.

Zinsser, a writing teacher who knew a thing or two about clarity and simplicity, makes a case that writing isn’t only for novelists, journalists, or poets. It’s for anyone who wants to learn something deeply and truly. The act of writing forces you to confront your ignorance and turn it into understanding—sentence by sentence, word by word. When you write, you’re not just *saying* what you know. You’re building what you know.

This blog is my way of embracing that idea. I want to explore topics that fascinate me—from science to storytelling, from history to self-development—and write my way to understanding. But here’s the twist: I’m not just doing this for myself. I’m doing it for you, too. If you’re here, it’s because you’re a learner like me, someone who knows there’s more to know (and you’re brave enough to admit it). So pull up a chair—let’s learn together.

Writing and Thinking: A Story About Feynman
Let me tell you about one of the great minds who nailed this whole “writing to learn” thing long before blogs were even a glimmer in the internet’s eye: Richard Feynman. If you’re not familiar, Feynman was a physicist, a Nobel laureate, and a man who could explain quantum electrodynamics in a way that made you feel smarter for just listening. But here’s the kicker: Feynman didn’t just *know* stuff—he worked his way to understanding through an elegant process that now bears his name: the Feynman Technique.

The method is simple: If you want to learn something, write about it as if you’re teaching it to a complete beginner. Strip away the jargon. Simplify the complicated. If you hit a point where you can’t explain it clearly, it’s not the topic’s fault—it’s yours. You haven’t understood it yet. That’s where the magic happens. You go back, dig deeper, re-organize your thoughts, and try again. Writing forces you to be honest about what you know.

Feynman didn’t stop at writing on paper. He taught, he lectured, and he used chalkboards like they were extensions of his brain. But the principle is the same: Get your ideas out there in words, and you’ll uncover the gaps, the nuances, and the brilliance hiding in plain sight. That’s what I want this blog to be: my chalkboard, my test kitchen for ideas.

Why a Blog?
So why not just keep a private journal? Well, for one, accountability matters. There’s something about hitting “Publish” that sharpens your focus. You’re not just writing for yourself; you’re writing for an audience (even if it’s just you, me, and maybe my mom—hi, Mom!). That little dose of pressure makes you think clearer, write better, and dig deeper.

Plus, there’s the magic of connection. The internet has turned the world into a giant room full of learners, thinkers, and curious souls like you and me. Maybe you’ll stumble across this blog while Googling “Why does my brain feel like spaghetti?” (Been there.) Or maybe you’re looking for someone to wrestle with big ideas alongside you. Either way, you’re in the right place.

What Can You Expect?
Here’s the deal: I’m going to write about things I want to learn. Some posts might be about the science of habit formation, others about the art of storytelling, or the history of some obscure yet fascinating topic. I’ll explore concepts, break them down Feynman-style, and share what I find. Along the way, I’ll write with honesty, curiosity, and (hopefully) a touch of humor. After all, life’s too short to be boring.

As Zinsser reminds us, writing is about clarity—and clarity is hard-won. My goal is to struggle for it so you don’t have to. If I can explain an idea well enough to make you go, “Oh, I get it now!”—then mission accomplished.

Let’s Learn Together
At the heart of this blog is a simple truth: Learning never stops. Whether you’re 18 or 80, whether you’re diving into quantum mechanics or trying to bake the perfect sourdough loaf, the process is the same. You learn by doing. You learn by teaching. You learn by writing.

So here I am, writing to learn. And if you’re reading this, you’re part of the journey. Let’s explore ideas, challenge assumptions, and maybe even figure out how the universe works (or at least why cats knock things off tables—equally important).

Thanks for being here. Let’s think, write, and learn—together.

Welcome to the blog.

Your fellow learner,
Paul Marin