Would love to -- and I think there's a lot to talk about here, from why people write books, to misconceptions around why they write them, to the attitudes and support of colleagues etc (I was told to stop self-prompting!), to how important messages can cut through the noise when the book market *is* rife with self promotion and mediocre content that is, nevertheless, well-promoted, to how grounded ideas, perspectives and understanding are spread through society when there's such resistance to experts speaking out sometimes ...
Andrew, as usual, your thoughts and insights are honest and quite helpful. I too struggle with how to best take what I know and disseminate it to those who can benefit from it. (I’ve even started a TikTok for teachers and students to learn about AI). I think what you just described in your post is a good strategy— meet your audience where it is- Be it YouTube, Substack, LinkedIn, Reddit, or a hardbound book. In fact, perhaps the book is your best instrument to illuminate your ideas by talking about them on podcasts- so the book is the vehicle that opens the door! Keep writing!
This resonates so much! I often need to remind myself that it's not necessarily how many, but who you connect with -- and I simply cannot stomach the idea of changing/diluting the ideas in order to increase attention (this is deeply engrained in me as an academic who believes that ideas/insights should be built on rigorous analysis and thinking, and not on sycophantically regurgitating what is popular or gets you traction)
I think defining success with humility is a good start -- just so hard to do sometimes :)
Boy, this is a sobering piece to read as I consider re-entering book world. Why don’t you come on my sustain? What show to talk about all of this?
Would love to -- and I think there's a lot to talk about here, from why people write books, to misconceptions around why they write them, to the attitudes and support of colleagues etc (I was told to stop self-prompting!), to how important messages can cut through the noise when the book market *is* rife with self promotion and mediocre content that is, nevertheless, well-promoted, to how grounded ideas, perspectives and understanding are spread through society when there's such resistance to experts speaking out sometimes ...
Andrew, as usual, your thoughts and insights are honest and quite helpful. I too struggle with how to best take what I know and disseminate it to those who can benefit from it. (I’ve even started a TikTok for teachers and students to learn about AI). I think what you just described in your post is a good strategy— meet your audience where it is- Be it YouTube, Substack, LinkedIn, Reddit, or a hardbound book. In fact, perhaps the book is your best instrument to illuminate your ideas by talking about them on podcasts- so the book is the vehicle that opens the door! Keep writing!
The future hasn’t failed yet! It’s a great feeling to read your previous book and think that the words have become more true and/or necessary still.
Thanks Jeff!
This resonates so much! I often need to remind myself that it's not necessarily how many, but who you connect with -- and I simply cannot stomach the idea of changing/diluting the ideas in order to increase attention (this is deeply engrained in me as an academic who believes that ideas/insights should be built on rigorous analysis and thinking, and not on sycophantically regurgitating what is popular or gets you traction)
I think defining success with humility is a good start -- just so hard to do sometimes :)