Books that are “representative,” that are more easily “absorbed,” undermine the main reason to read them: to push readers beyond themselves in uncomfortable and productive ways.
"I frequently worry that being productive is the surest way to lull ourselves into a trance of passivity and busyness the greatest distraction from living, as we coast through our lives day after day, showing up for our obligations but being absent from our selves, mistaking the doing for the being." — Maria Popova
“Ignore the boos. They usually come from the cheap seats.”
“I love it” at very first glance of a new brand means it’s too familiar (and explains why cohorts of new DTC brands all look the same). The better sign is when, at first glance, you’re a little uncomfortable - need to brew on it - and then gradually like it more and more…
Prestige is especially dangerous to the ambitious. If you want to make ambitious people waste their time on errands, the way to do it is to bait the hook with prestige. That's the recipe for getting people to give talks, write forewords, serve on committees, be department heads, and so on. It might be a good rule simply to avoid any prestigious... See more