I’ve always believed that managing knowledge is about more than just collecting information—it’s about refining, synthesizing, and applying it. In my decades of work in cybersecurity, business, and technology, I’ve had to develop an approach that balances deep research with practical application, while ensuring that I stay ahead of emerging trends without drowning in information overload.

This post walks through my knowledge management approach, the tools I use, and how I leverage AI, structured learning, and rapid skill acquisition to keep my mind sharp and my work effective.

Deep Dive Research: Building a Foundation of Expertise

When I need to do a deep dive into a new topic—whether it’s a cutting-edge security vulnerability, an emerging AI model, or a shift in the digital threat landscape—I use a carefully curated set of tools:

• AI-Powered Research: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Gemini, LMNotebook, LMStudio, Apple Summarization
• Content Digestion Tools: Kindle books, Podcasts, Readwise, YouTube Transcription Analysis, Evernote

The goal isn’t just to consume information but to synthesize it—connecting the dots across different sources, identifying patterns, and refining key takeaways for practical use.

Trickle Learning & Maintenance: Staying Current Without Overload

A key challenge in knowledge management is not just learning new things but keeping up with ongoing developments. That’s where trickle learning comes in—a lightweight, recurring approach to absorbing new insights over time.

• News Aggregation & Summarization: Readwise, Newsletters, RSS Feeds, YouTube, Podcasts
• AI-Powered Curation: ChatGPT Recurring Tasks, Bayesian Analysis GPT
• Social Learning: Twitter streams, Slack channels, AI-assisted text analysis

Micro-Learning: The Art of Absorbing Information in Bite-Sized Chunks

Sometimes, deep research isn’t necessary. Instead, I rely on micro-learning techniques to absorb concepts quickly and stay versatile.

• 12Min, Uptime, Heroic, Medium, Reddit
• Evernote as a digital memory vault
• AI-assisted text extraction and summarization

Rapid Skills Acquisition: Learning What Matters, Fast

There are times when I need to master a new skill rapidly—whether it’s understanding a new technology, a programming language, or an industry shift. For this, I combine:

• Batch Processing of Content: AI analysis of YouTube transcripts and articles
• AI-Driven Learning Tools: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Gemini, LMNotebook
• Evernote for long-term storage and retrieval

Final Thoughts: Why Knowledge Management Matters

The world is overflowing with information, and most people struggle to make sense of it. My knowledge management system is designed to cut through the noise, synthesize insights, and turn knowledge into action.

By combining deep research, trickle learning, micro-learning, and rapid skill acquisition, I ensure that I stay ahead of the curve—without burning out.

This system isn’t just about collecting knowledge—it’s about using it strategically. And in a world where knowledge is power, having a structured approach to learning is one of the greatest competitive advantages you can build.

You can download a mindmap of my process here: https://media.microsolved.com/Brent’s%20Knowledge%20Management%20Updated%20031625.pdf