Why I Think Books Have Lost Their Value

Summary

• Books written before the 1950s often represented a lifetime of work in a given field, meant to advance that field and contribute significant value.
• In later years, people began writing books primarily to gain status, reducing the focus on quality and expertise.
• Over time, as getting published became easier, especially with the arrival of self-publishing, the value of books has diminished.
• Nowadays, with the ease of publishing, anyone can write and publish a book, which has contributed to the decreased overall value of books.

Video

How To Take Action

I would suggest focusing on older books when you're looking to learn deep knowledge in any field. These books are like gold mines because they have lifetimes of expertise packed into them. If you're an entrepreneur or into personal growth, prioritize these books — they'll have insights you won't find just anywhere.

A good way of doing this is to create a reading list. Look for books in your field that were published before the 1950s. If you're not sure where to start, ask a mentor or do a quick online search for "classic books in [your field]." That way, you won't waste time on books that might not have much to offer.

To make sure you're really getting the value out of these books, take notes as you read. Write down ideas that stand out and think about how you can apply them to your business or life. This doesn't cost money, just a little time, but the payoff can be huge.

Also, be aware that not every modern book is bad. Some are still written with the intent to truly help and educate. Do some research, read reviews, and maybe you'll find a modern author who still writes with the dedication of those from the pre-1950s era. But keep your focus on quality, not quantity – it’s better to read one exceptional book than ten mediocre ones.

Finally, share the knowledge. If you're an entrepreneur, teach what you learn to your team. If you’re into personal growth, discuss ideas with friends who are also looking to improve. Sharing will deepen your understanding and help others too.

Quotes by Alex Hormozi

"most books written before the 1950s were written because people would end their career and that would be their contribution to the field"

– Alex Hormozi

"this is my 30 years of work and I've put into a book to move the field forward"

– Alex Hormozi

"that then started to come with status"

– Alex Hormozi

"maybe I can just write a book and get status"

– Alex Hormozi

"books overall have decreased in value tremendously since they were ridden the old way with the old intentions"

– Alex Hormozi

Full Transcript

most books written before the 1950s were written because people would end their career and that would be their contribution to the field they would say like this is my 30 years of work and I've put into a book to move the field forward that then started to come with status then people were like maybe I can just write a book and get status and then they started shortcutting it and then the buried entry to getting a book published got lower and lower and then when self-publishing started anybody can publish a book and so I think books overall have decreased in value tremendously since they were ridden the old way with the old intentions