Doctors and Writers

#022 The Death of The Essay

Bonjour. This week we explore the relevance of essay writing in today's fast-paced, AI-driven world. We discuss Michael Dean's essay on the subject, emphasising the importance of original thought and the challenges posed by transactional writing. The conversation delves into the historical context of essays, the writing process, and the value of human feedback, while also considering how AI can assist rather than replace the writing experience. This was fun. We hope you enjoy listening as much as we did recording. Time Stamps 00:00 The Relevance of Essay Writing Today 02:46 The Historical Context of Essays 07:23 The Struggles of Long-Form Writing 12:48 The Role of AI in Writing 17:30 Feedback and Improvement in Writing 21:14 Encouraging Original Thought in Essays Links Michael's Essay - https://cosmosinstitute.substack.com/p/essay-writing-as-personal-sovereignty?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=post_embed&utm_medium=web Farnam Street blog - https://fs.blog/

#021 - Hooks, Rhythm, and Polarisation - The Dos and Don'ts of Writing Online for Doctors

In this episode of the Doctors and Writers podcast, we discuss the essential do's and don'ts of writing, particularly in the healthcare field. We emphasise the importance of having a clear purpose for writing, crafting engaging hooks, maintaining rhythm and flow, and utilising multimedia to enhance engagement. The conversation also touches on the significance of avoiding polarisation in writing. We share personal insights and practical tips to help healthcare professionals effectively communicate their messages through writing. Links: Adi's post that went a bit viral -https://www.linkedin.com/posts/adikumar87_i-hope-to-be-a-good-surgeon-the-problem-activity-7254842492020215808-ZRmq?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

#020 - We're We've Been, The Cathedral Effect, What's In Store and More

We're back! In this episode of the Doctors and Writers podcast, we reconnect after a long break to share updates on our writing journeys, personal growth, and reflections on creativity. We discuss the impact of our environments on our writing processes, the importance of authenticity in social media, and the confidence gained through experience. Chapters 00:00 Welcome Back and Updates 01:56 Writing Journeys and New Projects 04:17 The Impact of Environment on Creativity 06:26 Confidence Through Experience 08:59 Future Directions in Writing

#019 - Our Favourite Essays, Why they Work, The Screamers, The Magic of Compounding and More

In this episode, Adi and Pranav read and discuss two pieces of writing that they find powerful and well-written. Adi reads an essay by Arthur Koestler that explores the limits of knowledge and understanding, while Pranav reads a piece by Sam Altman that discusses the concept of compounding and the importance of long-term thinking. Both pieces demonstrate the power of simple language and clear communication in conveying complex ideas. If you want to read the essays yourself, they are both here: https://wethescreamers.com/ https://blog.samaltman.com/how-to-be-successful

#018 - Breaking Down Long Form Writing, Achieving Failure, Why Likes Aren't Likeable and More

Pranav and Adi discuss their approaches to long-form writing. They explore the differences between long-form and short-form writing, the importance of ideation and collecting ideas, and the process of writing for oneself versus writing for a client. They also discuss the skills needed for long-form writing and how it can improve one's ability to write persuasively and in different styles. They share their personal processes for writing long-form pieces, including brainstorming, outlining, and seeking feedback. They also discuss the importance of focusing on the value of the writing rather than the metrics and external rewards. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview 04:11 Approaching Long-Form Writing: Mindset and Templates 08:37 Collecting and Organizing Ideas for Long-Form Writing 13:07 Writing for Oneself vs. Writing for a Client as a Ghostwriter 15:47 The Importance of Feedback and Editing in the Writing Process 22:09 Shifting Focus from Metrics to Personal Connections in Writing 31:38 Conclusion and Wrap-up