> Synoptical reading is reading a variety of books and articles on the same topic, finding and evaluating the contradictions, and forming an opinion.<p>The one thing I can see that's missing from a modern version of this is "books aren't the only source of information anymore."<p>For example, I'm studying linear algebra. I've gone through 3blue1brown on the topic, working through Khan Academy on linear algebra, and am working on the book "Linear Algebra: Theory, Intuition, Code" by Mike X Cohen. I may add a Coursera course when I finish one or more of these, if I feel it is necessary.<p>Getting information from multiple sources is a key to getting a good understanding of it.<p>In person courses can be great, too. But reading is a solo activity, so more comparable to videos, and self-paced classes.