DeepSummary
In this podcast episode, David Perell interviews venture capitalist and author Chris Dixon about his book 'Read, Write, Own' and the future of writing. Dixon discusses how he transitioned from being a blogger to a published author, exploring the challenges and processes involved in writing a book. He emphasizes the importance of simplicity, authenticity, and addressing counterarguments in writing.
Dixon also delves into the concept of 'death of the middle' in various industries, including media and retail, due to the rise of the internet. He critiques the current state of the internet, where large tech companies have become intermediaries, and suggests that blockchains could return the internet to its original ideals by allowing for decentralized ownership and control.
The conversation touches on the role of AI in writing, with Dixon advocating for a balance between human creativity and AI assistance. He also stresses the need for more domain experts to share their knowledge through writing and the challenges they face in terms of time constraints and distribution.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Writing a book requires simplicity, authenticity, and addressing counterarguments effectively.
- Large tech companies have become intermediaries, controlling the internet and limiting creators' ability to monetize their content.
- Blockchains have the potential to decentralize the internet and return it to its original ideals of ownership and control.
- AI could assist writers through features like recalling information and suggesting relevant content, but human creativity and authenticity remain essential.
- Sharing domain expertise through writing is valuable, but creators face challenges with time constraints and distribution.
- Books have the power to introduce ideas, influence trajectories, and serve as 'canon events' that persist across different versions of reality.
- The 'death of the middle' phenomenon, where mid-level options are eliminated, has occurred in industries like retail and media due to the rise of the internet.
- Finding one's authentic voice in writing can be a challenge, sometimes taking time to 'play like yourself.'
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Blockchains go from don't be evil to can't be evil.“ by Chris Dixon
- “Jazz musician. He says, sometimes it takes a long time to be able to play like yourself.“ by Chris Dixon
- “I think there's some really interesting stuff, like there's work being done where it's sort of copilot work, meaning, and I think this might be very likely in the future where you can have a very smart kind of AI assistant writing that will help people and it will recall notes, recall things you read, suggest relevant things, call state.“ by Chris Dixon
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Episode Information
How I Write
David Perell
1/31/24
Chris is the perfect example of how learning in public can catapult you to success. Come learn how he went from writer to owner, and how you can, too.
SPEAKER LINKS:
Website: https://cdixon.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cdixon
Blog: https://cdixon.substack.com/subscribe
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Read-Write-Own-Building-Internet/dp/0593731387
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoAeFr1JnlHwQ1ex7WlWi-g
WRITE OF PASSAGE:
Want to learn more about the next class Write of Passage?
https://take.writeofpassage.school/writing-sprints
PODCAST LINKS:
Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos
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