Just Seven Things

The Objective of Reading

A classic 24hrs of my RAS in full effect in relation to reading and knowledge management (see the Encyclopedia Brittanica explanation of the reticular activating system or Karen Lynch’s post for views on how it’s tied to vision and goal-setting)

But rather than a full alignment of views, I’m feeling nicely conflicted. As always, Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s challenging book, Fooled by Randomness, which I am reading, seemed to reach out and slap me this morning. A couple of comments initially made me question my aims for excellence in knowledge management yesterday. Particularly my assertion that ‘I need to be able to access the greatest pool of knowledge, thinking and contacts possible’.

Taleb writes ‘I was at the age when one felt like one needed to read everything’ and just prior to this, ‘I do not know if it applies to other people, but, in spite of my being a voracious reader, I have rarely been truly affected in my behaviour (in any durable manner) by anything I have read. A book can make a strong impression, but such an impression tends to wane after some newer impression replaces it in my brain (a new book)’

First point is that, again, the feeling of immaturity/ inadequacy is good because it drives me forward. I still feel like I need to read everything. Yes, in relation to accessing the best knowledge for my objectives, but I have yet to shake a sense of panic that I’ll miss something important. Something that will materially impact me… 

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