I read Lenny's 500,000 subscribers post and the part on "real-life experience" you highlight here also caused me pause. I'm really glad that I've read your insights on writing what you're interested in before encountering Lenny's advice. If I hadn't I would find it extremely discouraging to thinking I couldn't even start writing before becoming an expert on something - god knows what.
So thanks for your perspective and endless curiosity!
Hi, Mike. You're an idiot (whom I love to read and secretely wish to live close to and have a beer each Friday evening with). Thank you for what you do and you! Cheers from Slovakia
I don't know you well enough to call you an idiot but I will now get up to speed on your archive until I feel qualified. In the meantime, congratulations on your milestone!
Hi, Mike! You're NOT an idiot! Thank you for this wonderful edition and for 2.5 years of thought-provokingness, though I've only been along for the ride for part of it.
I really resonate with point #1 above -- writing with awe and wonder about a topic from a perspective of *not* knowing seems to me to be a perfect match. It's exactly because I'm NOT an expert that I even have the question in the first place -- scientists probably already know that bee's nests are made from their spit or why some people are allergic to poison ivy and others aren't. They've known it for so long they've forgotten it's an interesting/unknown fact for others. It's exactly because I'm one of those ignorant people that I can even wonder the question.
I think I need to make more clear in my own writing that I don't know what I'm talking about until I dig into the research. Sometimes my friends approach me and ask, "Why are lakes green?" as if I'd know the answer and I suddenly realize -- they think I know stuff! I most certainly do not! I'm an idiot! At least until I search through the internet and find a satisfying answer. Then I'm just a slightly more-informed idiot.
So thanks for the piercing realization that I'm an idiot!
Mike, you're a jerk, a complete kneebiter ... oh, sorry, that was meant for Arthur Dent :-)
I love the idea of writing what I want to learn, I'm currently undertaking a PhD around academic engagement and knowledge exchange and very much want my blog to be interactive with its readers, shared learning and understanding. Always be open to learning and new understandings.
I keep meaning to write stuff, mostly about cycling and stuff, but never quite have the confidence - and Heather Cox Richardson’s output scares me. This year I have had too many other things going on but soon. Maybe.
Thank’s for the newspaper, not sure I have ever commented before but that does not mean I do not enjoy the writing or understand it.
Hi Mike, you’re an idiot - and this is the first newsletter of yours that I have read, so that was fun! I love the advice to write about what I want to learn (of which there is plenty!) as opposed to what I already know. Looking forward to catching up on your writing.
20,000, Somehow: Some Clueless But Enthusiastic Creative Advice
Hi Mike. You’re an idiot. An interesting hilarious idiot. And you’re our idiot. We wouldn’t have it any other way.
Our idiot Mike has a nice ring to it.
“Hola Mike! Eres un idiota.”
Being British, this is hard to say. But using another language liberates me.
Pero escribes muy bien.
Hi Mike, you're an idiot.
I read Lenny's 500,000 subscribers post and the part on "real-life experience" you highlight here also caused me pause. I'm really glad that I've read your insights on writing what you're interested in before encountering Lenny's advice. If I hadn't I would find it extremely discouraging to thinking I couldn't even start writing before becoming an expert on something - god knows what.
So thanks for your perspective and endless curiosity!
Hi, Mike. You're an idiot (whom I love to read and secretely wish to live close to and have a beer each Friday evening with). Thank you for what you do and you! Cheers from Slovakia
I don't know you well enough to call you an idiot but I will now get up to speed on your archive until I feel qualified. In the meantime, congratulations on your milestone!
Hi Mike! You’re an idiot.
But aren’t we all???
Mike, you delightful, generous, talented idiot!! Fantastic work done with glee, curiosity and wonder, always. 👏👏👏
The best idiot of all!!! :D
I can’t do it....
Hi, Mike! You're NOT an idiot! Thank you for this wonderful edition and for 2.5 years of thought-provokingness, though I've only been along for the ride for part of it.
I really resonate with point #1 above -- writing with awe and wonder about a topic from a perspective of *not* knowing seems to me to be a perfect match. It's exactly because I'm NOT an expert that I even have the question in the first place -- scientists probably already know that bee's nests are made from their spit or why some people are allergic to poison ivy and others aren't. They've known it for so long they've forgotten it's an interesting/unknown fact for others. It's exactly because I'm one of those ignorant people that I can even wonder the question.
I think I need to make more clear in my own writing that I don't know what I'm talking about until I dig into the research. Sometimes my friends approach me and ask, "Why are lakes green?" as if I'd know the answer and I suddenly realize -- they think I know stuff! I most certainly do not! I'm an idiot! At least until I search through the internet and find a satisfying answer. Then I'm just a slightly more-informed idiot.
So thanks for the piercing realization that I'm an idiot!
Mike, you're a jerk, a complete kneebiter ... oh, sorry, that was meant for Arthur Dent :-)
I love the idea of writing what I want to learn, I'm currently undertaking a PhD around academic engagement and knowledge exchange and very much want my blog to be interactive with its readers, shared learning and understanding. Always be open to learning and new understandings.
Hey, Mike! Shove over, will you? It's crowded in this clown car.
Hi Mike! I'm still curious whether you're an idiot, or not.
You’re an eejit.
I keep meaning to write stuff, mostly about cycling and stuff, but never quite have the confidence - and Heather Cox Richardson’s output scares me. This year I have had too many other things going on but soon. Maybe.
Thank’s for the newspaper, not sure I have ever commented before but that does not mean I do not enjoy the writing or understand it.
Hi Mike! You're an idiot -- what a way to start my readership with you. Cheers to 20k!
Hi Mike, you’re an idiot - and this is the first newsletter of yours that I have read, so that was fun! I love the advice to write about what I want to learn (of which there is plenty!) as opposed to what I already know. Looking forward to catching up on your writing.