Nat Eliason: How to take notes on what you’re reading.

I never did highlights or took book notes in school. I just did the reading (or didn’t – I was a slacker student), crammed everything into my brain and hoped it stuck there.

Likewise, I tried to highlight text, but I didn’t really see the point. I ended up highlighting more than half the book … or nothing.

Eliason proposes a simple rule: Only highlight passages that give you an idea. Then make a note of that idea. What does the passage make you think of? If the passage simply conveys information or opinion, and doesn’t spark further thought, just read it and move on.

And here’s a tool for note-taking, for those of us who read electronically: Readwise archives your ebook and article highlights from Kindle, Instapaper and iBooks.

I can think of a couple of theories why the Republicans might want to do this. But it’s weird:

GOP-affiliated group intervenes in Democratic primary for US Senate seat in North Carolina [CNN]

The first significant ad buy for state Sen. Erica Smith, a Democratic candidate for US Senate in North Carolina, appears to be backed by Republicans.

Faith and Power, a new political action committee with ties to Republicans, formally launched on January 29 and spent more than $1.9 million to influence the Democratic primary, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission and the Kantar Media’s Campaign Media Analysis Group. The television and radio ads aims to boost Smith over Cal Cunningham, who has been endorsed by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and has raised significantly more money. “Who’s the Democrat for US Senate endorsed by progressives and unions? Erica Smith,” says the ad’s narrator. “Who’s got the courage to vote for ‘Medicare for All’? Erica Smith. The number one supporter of the Green New Deal? Erica Smith again.”

Dave Winer says we need a candidate who a Republican who believes in the rule of law will vote for. Respectfully to Dave, but this is dead wrong. No Republican will vote for a Democrat in 2020. Trump has 90+% approval rating in his party.

The winning candidate in 2020 will be the one who gets their own party most excited. We don’t need a candidate who will appeal to Republicans. We need a candidate who gets out Democratic votes, and win even though Trump has his thumb on the scale, in the form of Republican election chicanery.

Like a wise man said: Given a choice between a fake Republican and the real article, the voters will choose the real thing every time.