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How to be interesting (2006)

russelldavies.typepad.com

11–20 of 38 posts

Re: How to be interesting (2006)

#11
post #7

Personally, I think the desire to 'appear' interesting vein and is futile. All of these 'tips' are just novelties. Even if you dedicate your entire life to appearing interesting, you'll just end up with party tricks, not real substance. I quickly learned in my profession that there are two types of people: 1) those who create the perception that they matter, and 2) those that actually matter. This list is designed to…

"This list is designed to create a perception." I don't see how you can read it like that at all. Why else advise someone to read a new, weird magazine they've never read before each week, to eavesdrop on people's conversations and to start scrapbooking? Most of all, why advise people to really listen to other people instead of blabbering on about yourself, if all you care about is making yourself look interesting? None of those things are public in any way, they're meant to broaden your mind.

Re: How to be interesting (2006)

#12
post #6

The article doesn't actually draw any connection between business success and being "interesting". This is just taken for granted by the author, but not supported. The article's advice isn't so much about how to be "interesting", as it is about how to "repeatedly put yourself out there in a public way". Being able to fail publicly is a useful business skill, mind you. There was an interview on HN a while back, can't…

Maybe it doesn't draw that connection because not everything in this world is about business success? You're probably right that the author believes that "being interesting" is a marketable quality yet doesn't really explain why that would be, but I really like this piece much more as a guide to personal development. You know, to help us be a nice and fun and interesting human beings.

Re: How to be interesting (2006)

#14
Okay, let's suppose one manages to be "interesting". How does one translate that to a fatter bank account?

I liked the article but I'm wondering if anyone knows of resources (or has opinions) that address the next step.

Re: How to be interesting (2006)

#15
post #7

Personally, I think the desire to 'appear' interesting vein and is futile. All of these 'tips' are just novelties. Even if you dedicate your entire life to appearing interesting, you'll just end up with party tricks, not real substance. I quickly learned in my profession that there are two types of people: 1) those who create the perception that they matter, and 2) those that actually matter. This list is designed to…

What about 3) those that actually matter but don't know how to appear like they matter, and thus are perceived as if they don't matter?

Re: How to be interesting (2006)

#16
post #14

Okay, let's suppose one manages to be "interesting". How does one translate that to a fatter bank account? I liked the article but I'm wondering if anyone knows of resources (or has opinions) that address the next step.

A fatter bank account its not 'a next step' from "interesting". Its almost entirely separate....

Making money from real creativity is usually pretty hard - those that are creative tend to break the barriers whilst others make the money....

Re: How to be interesting (2006)

#19
post #14

Okay, let's suppose one manages to be "interesting". How does one translate that to a fatter bank account? I liked the article but I'm wondering if anyone knows of resources (or has opinions) that address the next step.

A fatter bank account its not 'a next step' from "interesting". Its almost entirely separate.... Making money from real creativity is usually pretty hard - those that are creative tend to break the barriers whilst others make the money....

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