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Dear Seth,
The day has come for us to part ways: As soon as I publish this, I will unsubscribe from your blog.
It has been a great run, and I feel that I’ve benefited the most in this relationship. But unless I break this up, it will all go to waste.
Before I explain why I’m doing this, I must tell you how much I respect you. I’ve read most of your books, and every single post you’ve ever written. I have nothing but admiration for you, and I know that we will meet in person someday (hopefully because you’ll want to meet me as well).
Now, on to the reason behind my decision.
I’m worried about my generation and me. I’m scared that we are turning into the most informed, knowledgeable group of morons in history.
We are given every answer. We consume data instead of poise questions. There’s a lot of passion and is all being put into repetition. Instead of asking and creating, we are paraphrasing and echoing.
We are worshipers. We accept what you and other big names tell us. We are playing by your rules. We’ve allowed your predictions to replace our imaginations.
We think that we are ahead of the game, when we are actually going through just another safe path. Your path.
I’m sure there are exceptions. And I want to be one of them.
Here’s the thing: the only goal worth so much trouble, is a breakthrough. And I don’t think I’ll create breakthroughs by following anyone in such religious ways. Maybe it’s me. Maybe I should question you more, but I find it hard to do when the admiration starts early, and I don’t think I’m alone in this.
It’s not that we shouldn’t listen and learn from other people (your void will be filled with new material). But the moment the worshiping begins and our own ideas get left behind, we should cut ties.
To quote Alex J. Mann, “I question the edge a tool can provide once it’s become a standard.”
To be ahead of you, I need to leave you.
Thank you for all that you’ve done for me and many others (more than you can imagine).
Wish us luck.
Best,
Carlos Miceli
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Comments
10.03.09
Hi Carlos, this is an interesting post. Definitely caught my attention.
I'm not quite sure I understand why you no longer want to follow Seth Godin. Is it because you want to form your own opinions and thoughts, rather than listen to his? If so, that seems valid enough, but I don't think that people like Seth say what they say and write what they write, expecting people to take their words as the absolute truth. People like Seth are around to get people like us thinking about things in a different way. Read what he has to say, think about how it applies to your industry, your market, or you personally, than form your own opinion on the matter.
The great thought leaders and successful people of the past did not simply sit around and think. Nor did they form their opinions without digesting as much information as possible from around them.
If you have been following Seth(or any other thought leader) religiously for a long time, and you take what he says as absolute truth, maybe it is time to stop following him. But if you can see that he is giving an opinion, and its up to you to formulate your own opinions, than I would go ahead and continue reading an occasional post or book by him.
-Ryan
10.03.09
I must say I feel Carlos's "pain."
I sent a note to Seth yesterday, about a post he'd written regarding online pics and their supposing to need a plain white background, questioning that supposition.
Told him I loved my new pic, here @ Brazen, Facebook, Twitter, everywhere. Love it. One of best I've ever taken, really says, "Jay Hepner."
Seth wrote back, "If think if you like it, it's just fine."
My response: "Thanks, Seth. I'll try not to get too adherent." Too was italicized.
There I was over-worrying something, solely on the basis of Seth Godin's opinion. Italicize that last word, too.
I'm sure you'll read other things by Seth, Carlos, simply because he's ubiquitous if you're interested in marketing and business, because he comments often, on book jackets, at TED, someone else's comment.
He also responds to email as quickly as anyone ever.
If you haven't already corresponded with him, why not drop him a line and share some of your smart ideas?
If you've got something smart to say, make sure smart people hear it.
That's why I read your post.
Jay
10.03.09
@Ryan
Thanks for reading this, I'm glad you like it.
I don't think Seth wants us to take his opinions as absolute truths either, I realize that that's our mistake. It's not happening to me with any other thought leader, and hopefully it won't happen to me again. He was the first one I followed so religiously, and that's why I had to write this.
There's another part to this decision, and that is: how much more can I learn from him, compared to someone new? I'm thinking that the potential is bigger reading someone I've never heard before than Seth, even he still writes very interesting stuff, and even if I manage to question what he says.
10.03.09
@Jay
Thank you for commenting here, and for your time.
I have emailed Seth in the past, and yes, he's very accessible, he replied that same day. We do tend to over-value some people's opinion, but that happens because we live in the past. We believe that what got them there will be always true, and it's not.
I have some ideas, but I'd rather focus on sharing them with people who have more time on their hands, with people who can work with me. I think Seth wouldn't really be able to provide much more than just some random ideas.
10.05.09
Carlos,
This is a great post. It's something I've had happen to me before that I call "guru overload" - you start absorbing too much from one person and finding yourself more in adherence with their school of thought than your own. Taking a clean break in order to get some distance is a good idea; you'll hopefully emerge with an internalization of their ideas and concepts while being able to build your own more efficiently and effectively.
Good luck!
-Andrew
10.12.09
Carlos:
I feel the most important task in following a blog or an author is to find an area of disagreement with them. It could be major, it could be minor, it simply needs to exist.
If you gain more by not following him, I understand.
The problem? You will never gain by questioning him. And being able to question someone you respect so much is quite powerful, even if it stays in your head and never reaches him.
Take care in your adventures.
10.12.09
Wow, Carlos. That's one of the most insightful posts I've read in a long time. I think you've found the sweet spot--not worshiping and regurgitating guru's thoughts (even those you deeply admire), but also not being overly-cynical and argumentative just for the sake of arguing. That's a good lesson for Gen Y in particular, but also for just about everyone else.
I've also had some interactions with Seth Godin, and found him to be more approachable and worthy of admiration than the vast majority of people with his clout. But I also think he would be thrilled to see you going your own way, as that seems to be a big part of his mantra.
Congratulations on your epiphany!
10.12.09
My perspective on this is that there are two completely different underlying problems that are starting to converge. The first of which is that any information we want is so accessible to us that basically all we are doing is echoing or paraphrasing someone else - original thoughts are hard to come by. And to add fuel to the fire, everyone who emerged alive from the bubble burst are now referred to as gods so to speak and we take everything they write, say or do too heart. The synergy between both of these is the problem at hand, which we need to solve.
The way you state it makes it sound like you have an obsession with Seth - you're not alone - and that you need to cut back a little bit. He is with out a doubt in my mind a genius but you need to draw the line somewhere and going cold turkey is not the answer. I would say try to expand your boundaries and get an outsiders perspective or set aside some time for you to develop your own thoughts and ideas.
Interesting article none the less, hope you make the right decision.
10.12.09
This is a very thought-provoking post.
One thing I hear echoed in many circles is that pre-internet, the "key" was getting the most and the best information. In the age of the internet, the key will be who filters and applies information most effectively. Along those lines, I can see where filtering out a particular resource is important.
However, it surprises me to see someone throw out a resource that they themselves acknowledge has value, rather than take the time to apply it when relevant, ignore it when irrelevant, and think beyond it when necessary.
(Also, quick note - poise should be pose.)
10.13.09
Hi Carlos,
Some wise council I heard long ago is, "take what fits and leave the rest." Actually, there is another
notion also, equally important: "don't confuse the message with the messenger." I think life brings us
into touch with "voices" that resonate and lead us to the next step in our lives... but every guru is just
another human being doing the best they can. It's great you learned so much from Seth. It's also
healthy to move onward..... As time goes on, you will more and more become your own best guru. And
the more your learning is combined with your own experience, he more you will look back in appreciation
to those like Seth, who influenced you. And I have a feeling that in future, you'll touch back in to see
what Seth has to say.
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