Fans of Seth Godin and Steven Pressfield, authors of Linchpin and The War of Art, respectively, were in for a treat last night. The two authors and motivators of creative productivity met for the first time at the Columbus Circle Borders to discuss why they write and what holds so many people back. They were tossing out gems faster than we could write them down. Among the best:
- Self help is the only real kind of help there is.
- Seth on success: The only thing all successful people have in common is that they’re successful, so don’t waste your time copying “the successful strategies” of others.
- Steven on fighting the resistance: There is no trick, no royal road, to not take that drink or watch that TV show.
- Seth on schools: Facts are free – you can look anything up on Wikipedia. What we need to teach now is how to interpret.
- Steven on how to consistently do creative work: It’s the difference between thinking of yourself as an amateur or a pro. Anyone can be an amateur, but only a pro will be out there training on the rainiest day of the year.
The place was pretty packed, so we had to sneak a photo of the event from behind the Borders’ Valentine’s Day table:
Luckily, the authors agreed to a close-up later in the night:
This looked like a great event. My favorite quote is “Facts are free – you can look anything up on Wikipedia,” by Godin. The reason is because the internet has made education attainable for everyone. There are a few benefits for attending a college though, including a brand name degree, a network of students/teachers/alumni and being in an environment where you can grow up socially. I think the online world is a great supplement, but I don’t think it can quite replace it yet.
I agree that if you want the knowledge, it is there for the taking. That is why I’m surprised at the number of people who don’t take advantage of it. I think the gap between the educated and the uneducated is going to continue to widen because there are some who will learn everything they can, and there are those who will not bother with any of it.
I also agree that the main benefit of college is the ability to network with others and the fact that there is still a bias toward those with a college degree. Even better, an advanced degree. People like to argue that college does not matter anymore, but try to find one person with a degree of any kind that does not share it on their blog, even if it is in an apologetic way. (ie. I was so stupid, I went to law school!)
Thanks for covering this event. I must have been right beside you on the other side of the Valentine’s Day table.
I only wish I had mustered the courage to ask Steven Pressfield to expound on his theory of The Muse (She seems more like a motivating drill sergeant than brooding goddess–perfect foil to the Resistance.)
I think Seth was referring to the idea of using proprietary information as a competitive advantage. Today’s technologies are no longer owned and used soley by large corps.
Wikipedia contains info that wasn’t readily available to the average person not that long ago.Now, it’s available to anyone with Internet access, for free.
So, how do you compete? By using thinking (human) skills to come up with “non-mechanical” solutions.
This is why I miss New York. This, and the food. But mostly this.
I’m a fan of both of them, but what makes this a fascinating meeting is that Godin-as-bootstrapper’s-bible entrepreneur/permission-based marketer and Pressfield-as-novelist/storyteller together speak to the broad application of creativity. Hearing like minds talk about the creative process from their respective corners always teaches more than either speaking alone – Godin’s point on the interpretation of information and the benefits of collaboration, I suppose.
Sounds like it was a great night. Did someone record it? Tell me someone recorded it.
Alas, we don’t have a recording, although readers may be interested in an interview with Seth that Steven posted on his blog: http://blog.stevenpressfield.com/2010/01/ww24-an-interview-with-seth-godin/
I also saw plenty of tweeting going on at the event…lots of great stuff up from @RonHogan.
I think I would have passed out from excitement of seeing 2 of my very favorite authors in the same room.
Thanks for letting me experience it vicariously.
The War of Art is my constant companion when Resistance rears her head. And she does so frequently.
-Pam
This event looks like it was kick – wish I could have been there!
Favorite part, “Steven on how to consistently do creative work: It’s the difference between thinking of yourself as an amateur or a pro. Anyone can be an amateur, but only a pro will be out there training on the rainiest day of the year.”
It’s rainin’ and I’m writin’ – thanks for the encouragement Steven!
Melissa