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Chopping up books when they're physically too big

229 points · 211 comments · matt_kirkland

  1. cgearhart · · focus · HN ↗
    20ish years ago I complained to my college roommate that my math book was too big. He asked if I was gonna sell it back, and I said I couldn’t—they had a new edition out, so mine was worthless. Cut it, he said.

    It was something I had never considered. Not for a moment. Books were sacred to me. Cut one? Blasphemy.

    But he was right. And so I cut it. And it fixed all of my complaints.

    What I learned is that some folks have a different mindset; they see the world as something to be shaped around themselves, rather than seeing themselves as something that should be shaped to fit the world. That’s been a useful lesson sometimes.

    1. HSO · · focus · HN ↗
      cue <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;youtu.be&#x2F;kYfNvmF0Bqw?t=12" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;youtu.be&#x2F;kYfNvmF0Bqw?t=12 :)
      1. gabaix · · focus · HN ↗
        Note that voluntarism can equally help or hurt.

        When it fits, it may bring high achievement and self realization.

        When misplaced, it may bring suffering and disillusionment.

        One has to develop a grasp at when to use it.

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