The Wrath of Reading & Writing: Building a Prepared Mind in the Information Age

The Wrath of Reading & Writing: Building a Prepared Mind in the Information Age

"I write because I don't know what I think until I read what I say." - Flannery O'Connor

In Frederik Gieschen's article, "The Reading Obsession," he challenges the notion that reading alone is the key to success, particularly in the investment world where Warren Buffett is often praised for his reading habits. Gieschen argues that networking, building friendships, and traveling were equally crucial to Buffett's achievements. It is not simply the act of reading, but the act of actively engaging with knowledge that truly matters.

Throughout history, the ways in which we acquire and process information have evolved. The industrial revolution, among other factors, led to an explosion in literacy rates worldwide. Reading became a fundamental aspect of being human, allowing us to develop a "prepared mind." As Louis Pasteur once said, "In the fields of observation, chance favors only the prepared mind." This prepared mind is essential for recognizing opportunities and making the most of them.

Gieschen draws an interesting parallel between preconditions for success in venture and the evolutionary process. Just as organisms didn't suddenly develop wings but had preconditions in the form of stubs, great achievements in various fields also have preconditions. For example, the success of Uber and Instagram was made possible by the preconditions of a 20% mobile phone penetration with GPS. Reading, then, becomes the process through which we build these preconditions and develop a prepared mind.

The importance of building a prepared mind is echoed by Packy McCormick, a guest speaker who emphasizes the value of quality over quantity in writing. McCormick realized that writing something good outweighs the pressure to write something each week. This sentiment aligns with Flannery O'Connor's quote, "I write because I don't know what I think until I read what I say." Writing forces us to articulate our thoughts and bring ideas to life.

In another article titled "Blockbuster Booster: Easily Create Short Form Video Clips To Rise Above The Noise Of The Internet," the concept of short form video clipping is explored as a powerful tool for thought leaders. The author highlights the opportunity for thought leaders to curate short form videos, presenting one of the best opportunities that has emerged in the last decade.

The author argues that editing video is much easier than people think, drawing a comparison to editing text in a word processor. By using tools like Streamlabs, editing videos becomes a seamless process. This idea sparks the intriguing possibility of curating the best ideas in text format on the web and converting them into videos.

Furthermore, social media algorithms have recognized the value of short form videos. Platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram have incorporated short form videos into their algorithms, providing increased reach and engagement. Short form videos cut through the fluff and get straight to the most interesting and important parts, making them highly engaging to consume.

The author suggests several actionable steps for thought leaders interested in leveraging short form videos. Firstly, they can curate the best ideas from experts, saving time and bypassing trial-and-error. Secondly, clipping videos is easier than producing original content, making it a more accessible option. Thirdly, utilizing clips can help thought leaders take advantage of the Celebrity Effect, borrowing the influence of well-known personalities. Lastly, video clips can be used to support and reinforce their own ideas.

The concept of the Celebrity Effect is particularly intriguing. By leveraging the popularity of others, thought leaders can gain traction and visibility. Just as blockbuster films feature multiple celebrities and companies have celebrity spokespeople, borrowing other people's celebrity can be a proven way to increase reach and credibility.

However, the author also acknowledges the taste-talent gap. It takes time to bridge the gap between recognizing quality and actually producing work of that caliber. It requires both taste and talent, and this journey can be a lengthy one. But, by consistently curating video clips and learning from the experiments of others on platforms like YouTube, thought leaders can accelerate their growth and development.

In conclusion, reading and writing have always been essential tools for building a prepared mind and articulating our thoughts. However, in the information age, the volume and mediums of information have changed. Curating short form video clips presents a unique opportunity for thought leaders to rise above the noise of the internet. By leveraging the power of short form videos and the Celebrity Effect, thought leaders can amplify their reach and impact. Three actionable pieces of advice for thought leaders interested in this approach are:

1. Embrace the power of reading and writing to build a prepared mind. Engage actively with knowledge and continuously seek opportunities to learn and grow.

2. Explore the potential of short form video clipping. Utilize tools like Streamlabs to easily edit videos and curate the best ideas from experts.

3. Leverage the Celebrity Effect. Borrow the influence of well-known personalities by featuring their video clips and using them to support and reinforce your own ideas.

By combining the timeless practices of reading and writing with the modern medium of short form video, thought leaders can thrive in the ever-evolving world of information and make a lasting impact.