The Importance of Breaking Rules in Achieving Success

Cynicism can be paralyzing, but breaking rules can lead to success. Paul Graham's essay on how to do great work emphasizes the importance of having new ideas, even though they may seem obvious in hindsight. Breaking rules can be done in two ways: aggressively, with a delight in breaking them, or passively, by being indifferent to them. Novices and outsiders often make new discoveries because their ignorance of a field's assumptions allows for fresh perspectives. In the story shared, a passive approach to breaking rules may have played a role in achieving success.

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