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helpfulsnowman's review
2.0
I guess I didn't read the description well enough. This is mostly a book about Almossawi's publishing process. In somewhat excruciating detail.
I thought I was getting into something more like the title, a discussion of the reason behind doing things that seem (or are) pointless. At the end he makes a list of points to that effect, but damn, seems like a missed opportunity.
Here's my list of reasons to engage in pointless work:
1. Feed the Soul
You probably ain't getting it at work, so you better be doing something productive, and that thing better make you happy.
2. You Never Know
Sometimes projects that go nowhere give you skills that end up being useful. You take on baking, don't really do much with it, then get a job in an office where your skills are greatly appreciated.
3. Exploration
In doing something pointless, you might be exploring something that nobody else is really exploring. I found this out through experiments in book binding. It's not totally unexplored, but based on lack of supplies in the hobby shop, it's not something that's exactly lighting the world on fire. When you explore, you never know what you'll find.
4. Learning
People will say they think about going back to school. Nobody ever does. But that's because you don't really want to be in school. You want to learn something. Do something pointless, you'll still learn.
5. "Any useful statement about the future should at first seem ridiculous." - Jim Dator
Whatever you're doing, if it's stupid, you might be on the right track.
Almossawi seems like a nice, talented guy. I just didn't click into this book.
I thought I was getting into something more like the title, a discussion of the reason behind doing things that seem (or are) pointless. At the end he makes a list of points to that effect, but damn, seems like a missed opportunity.
Here's my list of reasons to engage in pointless work:
1. Feed the Soul
You probably ain't getting it at work, so you better be doing something productive, and that thing better make you happy.
2. You Never Know
Sometimes projects that go nowhere give you skills that end up being useful. You take on baking, don't really do much with it, then get a job in an office where your skills are greatly appreciated.
3. Exploration
In doing something pointless, you might be exploring something that nobody else is really exploring. I found this out through experiments in book binding. It's not totally unexplored, but based on lack of supplies in the hobby shop, it's not something that's exactly lighting the world on fire. When you explore, you never know what you'll find.
4. Learning
People will say they think about going back to school. Nobody ever does. But that's because you don't really want to be in school. You want to learn something. Do something pointless, you'll still learn.
5. "Any useful statement about the future should at first seem ridiculous." - Jim Dator
Whatever you're doing, if it's stupid, you might be on the right track.
Almossawi seems like a nice, talented guy. I just didn't click into this book.
charliegedeon's review
3.0
It’s a quick read and the conclusion inspirational but I would have thought the title should haven more like “The point of pointless writing” or “Publishing without intending to.”
The book (long essay?) is squarely focused on Ali’s side career as an author and, inspiring as it is, the book goes through so many fine details about publishing in the middle that I almost forgot what I was reading about.
I’m a huge fan of his work so when I saw this book was coming, I preordered it immediately! While I love that I got some insight into his life, and the kindle price really is quite cheap (at just under CDN$4), I would have been happier to see some more pointing at pointless things that perhaps he engaged in.
The book (long essay?) is squarely focused on Ali’s side career as an author and, inspiring as it is, the book goes through so many fine details about publishing in the middle that I almost forgot what I was reading about.
I’m a huge fan of his work so when I saw this book was coming, I preordered it immediately! While I love that I got some insight into his life, and the kindle price really is quite cheap (at just under CDN$4), I would have been happier to see some more pointing at pointless things that perhaps he engaged in.
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