What are the most effective ways to learn and retain general knowledge?

Improving your general knowledge can be a fun and rewarding experience, and there are many effective ways to learn and retain new information. One of the most important things to keep in mind is that learning is a long-term process, and it's essential to be consistent and patient. You've already taken the first step by recognizing the importance of retaining information, and now you can start exploring different techniques to help you achieve your goal.

As you mentioned, spaced repetition and active recall are two powerful techniques that can help you learn and retain general knowledge. Spaced repetition involves reviewing material at increasingly longer intervals to help solidify it in your long-term memory, while active recall involves actively trying to remember information rather than simply re-reading it. You can incorporate these techniques into your daily routine by using flashcards or online learning platforms that utilize spaced repetition, such as Anki or Quizlet.

Another effective way to learn and retain general knowledge is to focus on building a strong foundation in a few key areas, such as history, science, literature, and culture. This will give you a broad base of knowledge that you can then build upon, and it will also help you to make connections between different pieces of information. You can start by reading books and articles on topics that interest you, and then supplement your learning with online resources, such as Wikipedia, Crash Course, or Podcasts.

In terms of specific resources or tools, there are many great options available. Duolingo is a popular language-learning platform that also offers courses on general knowledge topics, such as history and science. Coursera and edX are online learning platforms that offer courses from top universities and institutions, and they often include general knowledge topics.