Business books are entertainment, not strategic tools

Re:Business books are entertainment, not strategic tools by WheelsAtLarge on Saturday May 10, 2025 @12:14AM (#43943173)

Most books are read for entertainment. I've known many people who have read tons of books but couldn't remember most of what they've read. Every once in a while, a book sparks some interest but most will be read for entertainment.

I used to think that a well-read individual was a well informed and smart. No, they just read books for entertainment. It's not a bad thing but let's be clear about that. It's just entertainment.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Business books are entertainment, not strategic tools by nazgul17 on Saturday May 10, 2025 @12:17AM (#43943194)

True, but books are also valuable for the subtle ways in which they change you, not just for what you remember.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Business books are entertainment, not strategic tools by WheelsAtLarge on Saturday May 10, 2025 @12:29AM (#43943247)

You can say the same about movies and documentaries. Why is a book any different?

Yes, books have the power to change you but like anything you have to put in the time to study it and put it into practice. Reading a ton of them and hoping they will change you by osmosis does nothing more than keep your mind busy.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Business books are entertainment, not strategic tools by s0rr0wskill on Saturday May 10, 2025 @12:17AM (#43943187)

this is me with media in general i cant remember much of anything i consume

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Business books are entertainment, not strategic tools by f4 on Saturday May 10, 2025 @03:55AM (#43943962)

I agree with you, however, there is a difference between being well-ready and widely-read. I think one who can recite the essence of a handful of books has more much to say than someone who can list 50 books they read last year.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Business books are entertainment, not strategic tools by maerch on Saturday May 10, 2025 @05:47AM (#43944413)

Reading a lot isn’t just about storing and recalling information—it’s also about shaping the way you think.

The same goes for education. If I measured the value of my university years solely by the information I can still recall, I’d consider them rather inefficient. But the real value lay in learning how to learn and how to think through complex problems.

[ Parent | on HN ]