The Age of Performative Reading

Consuming as many books as possible has become a competitive sport for knowledge workers who want to show off their intellectual curiosity. To do so, they race through books like they’re collecting mushrooms in Super Mario Kart.

This modern reading habit stems from deep-rooted cultural insecurity.

But consuming more information does not necessarily make you more competent.

Many of the most successful people have found their edge by putting their faith in one big idea. They’ve committed to it, and studied it so much that its implications have become second nature.