5 ms·
> "Here's a few good points and ideas, surrounded by a fuck-ton of anecdotes and proverbs, because you're not going to pay $20 for a magazine article." Though
by tablespoon 5y ago
> "Here's a few good points and ideas, surrounded by a fuck-ton of anecdotes and proverbs, because you're not going to pay $20 for a magazine article."
Though to be fair, sometimes those anecdotes are useful. I like examples, especially ones where an idea is applied to a situation that resembles my own. Also repetition is helpful to actually have a concept sink in.
Also, what's filler for you may be the most relevant section for someone else (e.g. an anecdote that matches their situation but not yours, or necessary repetition).
Also, I think software engineers, at least, have a bias to optimize for concision that can sometimes be counterproductive. For instance, I doubt a moderately long article that fully explains the core concept of cognitive behavior therapy would be as successful at actually changing the behavior of a depressed person than a more "redundant" book-length version. Maybe the short version would still work for some people, but that doesn't mean that's the best version for the majority of people.
- axpy906 5y agoI think we’ve lost the plot. The important thing is if you can recall and then use what’s in the book. If it takes repetition or length to do it, so be it. Some books even recommend you read them a second time for that purpose, like Getting Things Done and How To Win Friends and Influence People.
- bumby 5y agoI think for the layman, those anecdotes that strike on pathos are what sticks. I remember the stories about patients who avoid mishaps through checklists that caught the wrong limb being marked and their (understandably) irate reaction more than statistics.
- tailspin2019 5y agoThis is exactly what I remember from the book. I actually think this book is one of the rarer examples where the various stories and anecdotes that are sometimes seen (rightly) as “padding”, are actually in this case quite effective at getting the message across in quite a memorable way. It’s been a while since I read it but I seem to recall a lot of similarly effective stories about airline pilots too.
- WalterBright 5y agoA book needs to be read 10-15 times in order to internalize it. Otherwise, when you're in the moment, you'll forget and revert to your usual pattern.
- bumby 5y agoIs there research that 10-15 times is the threshold or is that based on your personal experience?
- WalterBright 5y agoIt's based on anecdotal evidence, particularly with sales training.