Home

LSQ Newsletter

A newsletter for lifelong learners looking to improve their processing, retention and recall of everything they learn.

Written by

Ray Blakney

The Neurobiology of Originality

Using "Divergent Thinking" and "Combinatorial Play" to generate original ideas.

Ray Blakney

Feb 27, 2026

•

5 min read

Stop Taking "Text-Only" Notes

Leveraging the "Pictorial Superiority Effect" and "Double Encoding" to turn abstract lore into permanent mental imagery.

Ray Blakney

Feb 27, 2026

•

5 min read

Why Variety is the Secret to Mastery

Using "Discriminative Contrast" and "Neural Reloading" to build more flexible, permanent mental models.

Ray Blakney

Recovery: The "Silent" High-Performance Phase

Feb 26, 2026

•

5 min read

Recovery: The "Silent" High-Performance Phase

Using the "Parasympathetic Reset" and "Active Recovery" to maintain peak cognitive output.

Ray Blakney

Feb 26, 2026

•

6 min read

Discipline > Motivation

Moving from "State-Dependent" motivation to "Identity-Based" discipline and the neurobiology of the "Will-to-Act."

Ray Blakney

Meta-Learning: The "Operating System" upgrade

Feb 25, 2026

•

6 min read

Meta-Learning: The "Operating System" upgrade

Mastering "Metacognition" and "Neural Efficiency" to turn your brain into a self-evolving learning machine.

Ray Blakney

How to Flip the "Anxiety Switch" to Focus

Feb 25, 2026

•

6 min read

How to Flip the "Anxiety Switch" to Focus

Mastering the "Arousal-Performance Curve" and the "Challenge Response" to turn cortisol into cognitive fuel.

Ray Blakney

Feb 24, 2026

•

6 min read

How Movement Builds New Neurons

Leveraging BDNF and Neurogenesis to upgrade your "Hardware" while you move.

Ray Blakney

How to Make Learning as Effortless as Brushing Your Teeth

Feb 24, 2026

•

5 min read

How to Make Learning as Effortless as Brushing Your Teeth

Shifting your practice from the "Expensive" Prefrontal Cortex to the "Efficient" Basal Ganglia.

Ray Blakney

...

Archive

The Neurobiology of Originality

Stop Taking "Text-Only" Notes

Why Variety is the Secret to Mastery

Recovery: The "Silent" High-Performance Phase

Discipline > Motivation

Meta-Learning: The "Operating System" upgrade

How to Flip the "Anxiety Switch" to Focus

How Movement Builds New Neurons

How to Make Learning as Effortless as Brushing Your Teeth

LSQ Newsletter

Account