Kevin Kelly: On Fame, Structuring Ideas, Writing Books, and Founding Wired Magazine
Sep 13, 2023
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Kevin Kelly, one of the most important tech writers of the last half century, discusses fame, structuring ideas, writing books, and founding Wired Magazine. They delve into the power of a thousand true fans, the tension between originality and cross-pollination of ideas, and the importance of reading widely. They also explore the central question in great art, the burdens of fame, and the role of writing in personal growth.
Having a well-crafted and intuitive structure in writing is crucial for effective communication.
When hiring, prioritize enthusiasm, attitude, and aptitude over specific skills for a motivated and innovative team.
Innovation and new ideas are constantly emerging, allowing for continuous growth and creativity in writing and communication.
Deep dives
The importance of structure in writing
Having a graceful and intuitive structure in writing is crucial. The structure should be so well-crafted that it is not noticeable to the reader. When the structure is absent or flawed, it leads to confusion and dissatisfaction. Structure is essential for conveying ideas effectively.
The role of enthusiasm and attitude in hiring
When hiring, it is important to prioritize enthusiasm, attitude, and aptitude over specific skills. Skills can be taught, but the innate passion and love for the work are what truly drive success. Hiring based on enthusiasm and attitude leads to a more motivated and innovative team.
The constant evolution of new ideas and creations
Innovation and new ideas are constantly emerging. In 20 years, the biggest things that people talk about and care about will be completely different from what exists today. There will always be new ways to say and present familiar ideas, allowing for continuous growth and creativity in writing and communication.
Writing as a Tool for Behavioral Change
The podcast episode discusses how writing down mantras and advice helped the speaker change their behavior. They started by writing down simple phrases that they could repeat to themselves, like 'put things back where I first look for them' or 'would I do this if it was tomorrow morning?'. These phrases served as reminders and filters for decision-making. The speaker also wrote 68 pieces of advice for their children and later realized the value of sharing it with others through a book.
The Shift in Book Publishing and the Need for Self-Marketing
The podcast episode explores the changing landscape of book publishing, where big publishers lack direct engagement with readers due to the decline of bookstore sales. This has led to authors taking on more responsibility for marketing their own books. The speaker shares their own experience of marketing books, including strategies like speaking at events, doing conference calls and podcasts, and engaging with their own audience. They believe that authors need to understand the importance of marketing their work and spending as much time marketing as they do writing.
Kevin Kelly is one of the most important tech writers of the last half century.
Kevin started as the publisher and editor of the Whole Earth Catalog, which was one of Steve Jobs’ favorite publications. After being mentored by Stewart Brand, he started writing books and magazine pieces before cofounding Wired Magazine. He has since become a prolific author - writing one feature article for Wired Magazine every year, and writing numerous bestselling books.
The man is full of mysteries. Kevin writes abundantly but types very slowly. He writes often but calls himself a reluctant writer. He constantly explores new ideas but actually likes editing more than writing.
Rare is the opportunity to sit down with the master who has decades of experience as a writer. This episode is a peek behind the curtain.