show your work

ref: Austin Kleon

thesis: document, don’t create

scenius vs genius:
- myth of lone genius: society romanticises idea of solitary genius emerging from cabin w/ finished masterpiece
- Kleon argues for “scenius”: ecology of talent = creativity is multiplayer, networked effort
process is the product:
- don’t have to be expert to share something valuable
- amateurs often better teachers than experts cos they remember what it feels like to struggle w/ basics
documenting vs. creating:
- creating final product = intimidating
- documenting daily process (photo of messy desk, rough sketch, highlighted quote) = low stakes

death of the business card:
- traditional networking relies on forcing yourself into rooms hoping people notice you
- Kleon argues:
  - if publish interests + process online
  - then right people will find you
Vampire Test:
- Kleon: avoid “vampires”—people / projects that drain energy
- showing work = natural filter ➡️ repels people who demand perfection + attracts people who value curiosity, growth, etc.

scrapbook approach:
- digital garden = perfect vehicle for showing your work
- ~~portfolio of greatest hits~~ scrapbook of current fascinations
teaching what you just learned:
- don’t need PhD to write note about concept
- eg if learned something on Tuesday ➡️ perfectly qualified to explain it to person who didn’t know it on Monday
attribution as currency:
- showing your work = showing whose work influenced you
- linking heavily to other thinkers (like referencing Kleon here :)) builds scenius web

working with the garage door open: exact environment needed to show your work
serendipity surface area: mathematical result of being “findable”
curse of knowledge: why experts struggle to teach / amateurs often better at explaining things