Why I Was Wrong About Fiction
I was all about productivity and non-fiction books that could help me do things faster, better, and more efficiently. I completely disregarded fiction books. Was I wrong?
I started watching a couple of YouTube channels that focused on fiction: The Read Well Podcast, A Novel Review Podcast, and the Reading This Life YouTube channels. I'm now really enjoying fiction.
Reading these books now, I see how you can learn and develop yourself through them. I think fiction books are more introspective, not hitting you in the face like non-fiction. There is no "here are the 10 steps to email freedom" or "here is how you design your morning routine," but more intellectual.
I find myself relating to the characters, feeling with them as the protagonist works through their issues, and thinking about how I can do the same thing or what I would do in that situation. Is there a bit of me in so-and-so? Wonderful. And this is all wrapped up in a great plot line.
I also enjoy the just-for-fun murder mystery novel. I can relate to the characters, and that builds my anticipation for "whodunit!" I'm not thinking about those novels as I drive; I'm just enjoying them.
I react more intellectually or emotionally to fiction, whereas my reaction to non-fiction is more methodical and structured. I highlight the books, decide on to-dos from them, and file them away in Obsidian or my card zettelkasten. Even the art books I read are more about gleaning a few key takeaways that I can use. They are productive to read, but I don't have an emotional attachment to them.
Even historical biographies give me a different level of reading experience. I can relate—or not relate—to the subject. I'm either pulling for them or rooting against them. A little bit of emotional attachment to them.
Read Fiction - Really read the books and understand what the protagonists are going through and the underlying themes or ideas. You will take away more than you think.
Think Again by Adam Grant
Three Take-Aways / Actions:
Ask myself these rethink questions:
How do I know?
How would my view be different if I was born XXX?
Always try to get to scientist mode, so I am searching for the truth not to be correct. Run experiments, test hypotheses, and discover and understand knowledge.
Reward me for questioning and refining my beliefs and onions.
Rating 5 / 5
Adam Grant proposes that the way forward is to rethink constantly, question, challenge, and test our opinions, views, and beliefs.
Only through this constant challenging of ourselves do we get closer to the right answer.
Rethinking is a skill that can be exercised, developed, and strengthened. Adam talks about This Tennent of wisdom is only possible when we embrace these foundational ideas and ways of change. He describes three modes we get into depending on if we are trying to defend, convince or explore our thoughts—the Prosecutor, Politician, and Scientist mode. The Scientist mode lets us search for the truth by running experiments and testing our beliefs, views, opinions, or hypotheses.
Our ability to focus on moving towards the truth is key to improvement.
Adam also offers techniques that allow us to have meaningful discussions and tactics to improve our knowledge and move towards the correct answer. He stresses the skills and focuses needed not to make the discussions personnel.
I equate the notion of being wrong to failing fast. The quicker we acknowledge that we might be incorrect or not right, we will be free to seek answers quickly. Another key idea that struck me is that your Identify is what you value, not what you believe. Your beliefs, opinions, and interpretation of events are fleeting and can change. They are not you. Detach yourself from these, and you will free up to move towards the right answer.
He brings up a concept of Confident Humility, which opens our minds to rethinking and will improve the quality of our rethinking.
Understanding that you can be confident that you don’t know everything and that you are striving to learn and understand more. You have faith in your capability to acknowledge that you may not have the right solution or address the right problem. You have enough self-doubt to rethink your old knowledge and enough confidence to pursue insight. Remember, the purpose of learning is to evolve our beliefs and understanding, not to affirm our beliefs.
Overall this is an excellent book, and at 5 out of 5 stars, I highly recommend it.
Have you read this book? What do you rate it?