Weekly Mix #255 - Why I want to read less this year

New Ideas, Career Advice, Reading More (or Less) & The Atomic Bomb

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Happy Monday!

One of my consistent goals, year after year, is to write more.

But rarely do I make the progress I want.

A quote I heard some years ago stuck with me: "read to get ideas, write to clarify them."

Reading is one of the best sources of new ideas. It's the only way to peer into the minds of some of the greatest people in history. Lives are changed by reading books.

But it's difficult to master ideas only by reading.

True understanding comes from trying to explain the idea in your own words, figuring out which premises are strong, or backed up by your own experience.

It's formed by figuring out which parts are fuzzy, and revisiting or cross-referencing to deepen your understanding.

And it's built stronger by incorporating other, related ideas, and adding your own experience and perspective.

Writing is what provides those opportunities.

The next time you need ideas: read.

The next time you need to clarify an idea: write.

Have a great week!

Graham

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Links

📚 The Making of the Atomic Bomb - Richard Rhodes - Recommended by my brother, this book tells the story of both the scientific developments leading up to the development of the atomic bomb, and the building of the bomb itself. A good primer if you're excited about Oppenheimer coming out this year.

There are also a handful of authors who I've read who I would consider excellent writers. You read their work, and everything seems so simple and clear. After reading this, I'd include Richard Rhodes in that group.

📖 Guide to Career Planning - Marc Andreessen - I re-read this post every couple years, whenever I'm thinking about my own professional development. Full of excellent advice.

"The first rule of career planning: Do not plan your career."

"The second rule of career planning: Instead of planning your career, focus on developing skills and pursuing opportunities."

📖 52 Things I Learned in 2022 - Tom Whitwell - Rather than a list of life-changing advice, this is a list of fun facts. Some examples:

"37 percent of the world's population, 2.9 billion people, have never used the Internet."

"In 1739, there were three times more coffee shops per person in London than there are today." (I would not have predicted this)

📖 Just Twenty-Five Pages a Day - Farnam Street - For those of you starting a new reading habit this year, it doesn't have to be difficult or complicated. Just twenty-five (or ten, or whatever) pages a day.

🔧 Wise - International Money Transfer - When I need to send money to another country, I use Wise. It's flexible in terms of method, transparent with fees, and consistently offers the best deals I've found.

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