Reading rank 387
How to Think for Yourself
, subject: Independent-mindedness and curiosity, 2020
Paul Graham's essay argues that original work requires independent thought, and that curiosity should decide where that thought is aimed.
22
Coverage Score
2
Scored evidence
About this work
Graham separates independent-minded work from conventional work, then examines truthfulness, resistance to conformity, and curiosity as mutually reinforcing parts of independent thought.
Why read it
Best if you want to do original work but suspect you are adopting others' conclusions without testing them, or you are unsure where to point your own thinking.
Key themes
- Original work requires independent thought
- Let curiosity guide the work
Evidence and original sources
Source: official Founders episode — #276
This record is supported by 3 public evidence rows linked to original Founders episodes.
- Paul Graham’s Essays Part 2 — David draws the essay's central founder lesson: original work requires independent thought, and curiosity helps direct that independence toward useful new ideas.