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No More “Insight Porn”

jakobgreenfeld.com

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Re: No More “Insight Porn”

#61

Post by flatline »

enos_feedler wrote: post #4

Out of the 3 "Insight Porn" examples linked in the article, I think the Paul Graham essay seems out of place. I know I know, this is hacker news. Yet another person sticking up for pg. But I just don't think this essay (or others) is really trying to boil some dream/goal into steps. In fact, in the "How to get startup ideas" referenced in this post, pg says: "So if you can't predict whether there's a path out of an i…

> If you're at the leading edge of a field that's changing fast, when you have a hunch that something is worth doing, you're more likely to be right.

Right there he suggests you become an expert. An expert who is at the crest of the wave in some field is more likely to see over it and get a glimpse of what’s next. I think he is spot on. It’s no guarantee but it’s probably as close as you can get.

Re: No More “Insight Porn”

#62

Post by startupdiscuss »

lumost wrote: post #31
enos_feedler wrote: post #4

Out of the 3 "Insight Porn" examples linked in the article, I think the Paul Graham essay seems out of place. I know I know, this is hacker news. Yet another person sticking up for pg. But I just don't think this essay (or others) is really trying to boil some dream/goal into steps. In fact, in the "How to get startup ideas" referenced in this post, pg says: "So if you can't predict whether there's a path out of an i…

Consider how ineffective this advice is then. What decisions can you make? You could take this to mean that you should follow your gut, or not. Does it share anything useful for formulating a decision? And why is this approach better than the alternatives?

The point is, this was not meant to be advice! This was anti-advice.

You can't use the criterion: if it is insightful it has to be actionable on an insight that says "I have no actions for you".

The difference is, it is not trying to trick you.

Re: No More “Insight Porn”

#63

Post by lupire »

OrangeMonkey wrote: post #5

I read a story where the main protagonist ran a business who did nothing but provide solutions to people. They would come in, pay a fee, and he would dispense a solution to their problem that would make things better if only the advice was followed. I thought it delightful. A problem I have that I can simply ask for a solution and get it? That would be great. The reason these bad actors exist is that they recognize t…

No post body was provided.

Re: No More “Insight Porn”

#64

Post by danaris »

bombcar wrote: post #39
MOARDONGZPLZ wrote: post #28

I got super lucky. I started a company and didn’t really have any meaningful traction. I was about to shut it down. Walking out of the grocery store one night after work, I passed by my former manager when I was an intern. We got to talk for about 30 seconds, mentioned my company, she asked me to email her. I did, and that very quickly led to my first big customer which makes me about double what a FAANG swe would ma…

"Get lucky" is always the key - however, you can increase your "luck surface" by doing certain things (for example, you couldn't have gotten lucky if you hadn't started the company, nor if you hadn't bothered to talk to people).

> you can increase your "luck surface" by doing certain things

....and your chances of being able to do those things (without severe risk of poverty and homelessness) are increased dramatically by having been lucky enough to be born wealthy, or at least upper-middle-class.

Re: No More “Insight Porn”

#65

Post by engineer_22 »

bambax wrote: post #59

I'm confused, it seems insight porn is this guy's business. His article even ends with this: > If you’d like to get more honest strategies and proven frameworks for winning in life and business, then simply join my free newsletter here. Is he simply trying to trash the competition?

Yea, it's kind of his shtick.

Re: No More “Insight Porn”

#66

Post by tartoran »

EmilyHughes wrote: post #19

Why does everything have to be some kind "porn" nowadays. Does anybody seriously think this is funny?

Like all things vulgar, they catch on. I dislike it too but it somehow fits the bill just like the original meaning of the word: we’re seeking something and instead we get pseudosomething that leaves us unfullfilled and almost worse off

Re: No More “Insight Porn”

#67

Post by keyle »

minihat wrote: post #7

I think the invitation to subscribe to the author's newsletter at the bottom of the page is ironic. Love the label "insight-porn" though. Concisely captures the nauseous feeling of ingesting your 100th self help book.

I laughed at that too.

It feels like his blog is the revenge porn of hindsight porn!

I did enjoy the article though. A lot of commonsense but no real actionable takeouts though... wait a minute...

Re: No More “Insight Porn”

#68

Post by keyle »

bambax wrote: post #59

I'm confused, it seems insight porn is this guy's business. His article even ends with this: > If you’d like to get more honest strategies and proven frameworks for winning in life and business, then simply join my free newsletter here. Is he simply trying to trash the competition?

Give an addict a solution drug to his drug problem... you do the math.

Re: No More “Insight Porn”

#69

Post by draugadrotten »

danaris wrote: post #64
bombcar wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Get lucky" is always the key - however, you can increase your "luck surface" by doing certain things (for example, you couldn't have gotten lucky if you hadn't started the company, nor if you hadn't bothered to talk to people).

> you can increase your "luck surface" by doing certain things ....and your chances of being able to do those things (without severe risk of poverty and homelessness) are increased dramatically by having been lucky enough to be born wealthy, or at least upper-middle-class.

> ....and your chances of being able to do those things (without severe risk of poverty and homelessness) are increased dramatically by having been lucky enough to be born wealthy, or at least upper-middle-class.

That's some good insight porn right there!

Re: No More “Insight Porn”

#70

Post by altdataseller »

EmilyHughes wrote: post #19

Why does everything have to be some kind "porn" nowadays. Does anybody seriously think this is funny?

Because it fits the meaning of what he is trying to convey. Porn, is immediate gratification that makes you feel good at the moment, but doesn't really satisfy the deeper needs you might have.
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