Kevin Kelly

The main reason to produce something every day is that you must throw away a lot of good work to reach the great stuff. To let it all go easily, you need to be convinced that there is “more where that came from.” You get that in steady production. #excellentadvice

When speaking to an audience, it’s better to fix your gaze on a few people than to “spray” your gaze across the room. Your eyes telegraph to others whether you really believe what you are saying.

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To be interesting, just tell your own story with uncommon honesty.

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Artificial Intelligences, So Far I wrote this short memo last November, 2024, at the invitation of Wired Mid-East for their year-end issue. I think it still holds up nine months later, and represents where we are on this astounding j...

Three points about AI so far: it is plural, needs to get spatial, and enahnces humans, so far. My case: kk.org/thetechnium/...

An Audience of One Today, AI tools lower the energetic costs of creating something. They make it easier to start and easier to finish. AIs can do a lot of the hard work needed in making something real. I find little joy...

I think most art co-generated with AI will be made explicitly for an audience of one. New essay: kk.org/thetechnium/...

The trick to making wise decisions is to evaluate your choices as if you were looking back 25 years from today. What would your future self think?

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Hikers’ rule: Don’t step on what you can step over; don’t step over what you can walk around.

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For every good thing you love, ask yourself what your proper dose is.

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Don’t purchase extra insurance if you are renting a car with a credit card.

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A superpower worth cultivating is learning from people you don’t like. It is called “humility.” This is the courage to let dumb, stupid, hateful, crazy, mean people teach you something, because despite their character flaws, they each know something you don’t. #excellentadvice

The city is cutting down a huge tree across the street and it's the first time I've seen pros use a cordless electric chainsaw. That hugely lowers the annoyance factor.

If you loan someone $20 and you never see them again because they are avoiding paying you back, that makes it worth $20.

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When a customer of yours complains, always apologize first and ask, “What can we do to resolve this?” even if it is not your fault. Acting as if the customer is right is a small tax to pay to grow a business.

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The stronger your beliefs, the stronger your reasons to question them regularly. Don’t simply believe everything you think you believe.

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When you are presented with a task that could be completed in 2 minutes or less, do it immediately.

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Discuss:

You can really change someone’s life for the better simply by offering words of encouragement.

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If your opinions on one subject can be predicted from your opinions on another, you may be in the grip of an ideology. When you truly think for yourself, your conclusions will not be predictable. #excellentadvice

Don’t grocery shop while hungry.

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Rather than steering your life to avoid the unexpected, aim directly for it.

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When you are looking for a job, remember that somewhere an employer is desperately hunting for someone like you, especially if you are unconventional. Your real job is to make that match happen, and it is worth whatever time it takes. #excellentadvice

It is far safer after a car accident to remain in the car rather than standing near it on the road, where the accident increases the chances of another accident.

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It doesn’t matter how many people don’t appreciate you or your work. The only thing that counts is how many do.

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If you don’t smoke before the age of 25 you are unlikely to ever start; if you do smoke before 25 you are unlikely to ever quit.

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Reading to your children regularly is the best school they will ever get.

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Every breakthrough is at first laughable and ridiculous. In fact, if it did not start out laughable and ridiculous, it is not a breakthrough.

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For maximum results, focus on your biggest opportunities, not your biggest problems.

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Pay attention to what you pay attention to.

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The best time to negotiate your salary for a new job is the moment after they say they want you, and not before. Then it becomes a game of chicken for each side to name an amount first, but it is to your advantage to get them to give a number before you do. #excellentadvice

If you repeated what you did today 365 more times, will you be where you want to be next year?

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