Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Book Description
When Hugh MacLeod was a struggling young copywriter, living in a YMCA, he started to doodle on the backs of business cards while sitting at a bar. Those cartoons eventually led to a popular blog – gapingvoid.com – and a reputation for pithy insight and humor, in both words and pictures.

MacLeod has opinions on everything from marketing to the meaning of life, but one of his main subjects is creativity. How do new ideas emerge in a cynical, risk-averse world? Where does inspiration come from? What does it take to make a living as a creative person?

Now his first book, Ignore Everyone, expands on his sharpest insights, wittiest cartoons, and most useful advice. A sample:

* Selling out is harder than it looks. Diluting your product to make it more commercial will just make people like it less.
* If your plan depends on you suddenly being “discovered” by some big shot, your plan will probably fail. Nobody suddenly discovers anything. Things are made slowly and in pain.
* Don’t try to stand out from the crowd; avoid crowds altogether. There’s no point trying to do the same thing as 250,000 other young hopefuls, waiting for a miracle. All existing business models are wrong. Find a new one.
* The idea doesn’t have to be big. It just has to be yours. The sovereignty you have over your work will inspire far more people than the actual content ever will.

After learning MacLeod’s 40 keys to creativity, you will be ready to unlock your own brilliance and unleash it on the world.

Amazon Exclusive: Author Hugh MacLeod on Having a Life

Product Description

Hugh MacLeod's acclaimed blog Gaping Void draws 1.5 million visitors a month, and his ebook, How to Be Creative, has been downloaded more than a million times. In Ignore Everybody, he expands his thoughts about unleashing creativity in a world that often thwarts it.

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

---

Product Details Hardcover: 176 pages Publisher: Portfolio Hardcover (June 11, 2009) Language: English ISBN-10: 159184259X ISBN-13: 978-1591842590 Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,262 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #21 in  Books > Health, Mind & Body > Self-Help > Creativity #48 in  Books > Business & Investing > Management & Leadership > Motivational #60 in  Books > Business & Investing > Business Life

---

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

› Visit Amazon's Hugh MacLeod Page

---

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	83% buy the item featured on this page: Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity 4.2 out of 5 stars (52) $16.29
	5% buy The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures 4.0 out of 5 stars (111) $16.98
	5% buy Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion 4.6 out of 5 stars (115) $11.97
	3% buy Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust 4.7 out of 5 stars (45) $16.47

Explore similar items

---

Tags Customers Associate with This Product  (What's this?) Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people. Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below.  creativity(35) hugh macleod(19) marketing(18) artist(17) cartoons(14) gapingvoid(14) amazing(7) kindle(7) hugh(5) blogging(4) leadership(3) See all 48 tags... Your tags: Add your first tag

Search Products Tagged with   See most popular tags

---

 

Customer Reviews

52 Reviews 5 star:  (37) 4 star:  (3) 3 star:  (3) 2 star:  (6) 1 star:  (3)           Average Customer Review 4.2 out of 5 stars (52 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 59 of 65 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars A Book You Shouldn't Ignore, June 11, 2009 By  A. Krupp - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Ignore Everybody is two things in one. First, it's a series of tips designed to turn creatives into artists. Second, it's a collection of Hugh's best cartoons. While some of the cartoons do support the text, I'm going to review the cartoons and the text separately because they really do stand on their own. ===THE BOOK=== What separates a writer from an author? A rower from an oarsman? A comedian from a humorist? Greatness in any field comes from taking a novel idea and pushing it to its logical conclusion, redefining the medium in the process. Hugh doesn't teach you how to come up with your big idea, nor is the book a collection of theories on what makes something innovative. Rather, Hugh's rules teach a mindset conducive to pushing great ideas to their logical conclusions. This book won't teach you how to paint, but if you're lucky you'll come away with the mental frame you need to avoid having the outside world crush your creativity. And if you really take its lessons to heart then hopefully, in the words of Steve Jobs, you'll ship. Over the years I've sent the blog post that inspired this book to countless friends, and now that I've read the book itself I can't recommend it enough. I'd consider it a must-read for any creative who aspires to be an artist, not just some guy who lives in a loft and calls himself a writer. But even if you don't aspire to become an artist, the book still has much to offer. In Hugh's own words, "This book is about becoming more 'creative' in one's work, whoever you may be. Or just useful advice for any one who aspires to undertake some creative or artistic journey." ===THE CARTOONS=== While reading Ignore Everybody, one gets the sense that Hugh MacLeod would be far happier if only he were a little less intelligent. The existentially depressed cynic to Woody Allen's bumbling neurotic, the Hugh MacLeod character is sort of a cross between Dostoevsky and George Carlin.[1] That is, the cartoons are really a collection of observations about people, their motivations, and the shallowness and meaninglessness of the human condition. So, is Hugh truly an artist, someone who has pushed the medium forward? Yes. Two reasons: 1) Hugh is the only cartoonist that's figured out a way to draw his characters in a way that really lets you see into their souls. Hugh manages to nail the platonic ideals of the ditzy blonde, the pretending-to-be-an-artist-to-pick-up-girls guy, the too-full-of-himself corporate a**hole, etc. Considering that his cartoons are really only simple line drawings, it's amazing how well he's able to convey the characters' posture, dress, facial expression, body language, etc. You can tell exactly what the character is like as an entire person just by looking at them, even if you cover up the text. Open up the Sunday comics and it quickly becomes clear that no other cartoonist can do this. 2) Hugh's second trademark is being able to write the one sentence that sums up the character's entire existence. Man: "I can't decide what I want to be: A millionaire or an artist." Woman: "Can't you just compromise? Become a millionaire artist or something..." Viewed through the lens of the art, the human existence is nothing more than posturing and superficiality. Does Hugh actually believe this? He says, "I don't necessarily find the human condition shallow and meaningless per se. Just our egos and pride sometimes force us to act like it is. I think we're all strive to find meaning in life, we just don't always elect to take the high road when doing so; we're often far too willing to look for shortcuts." All in all, this is a book that will change the way you think. In a good way. A very good way. 36 of 39 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars If you read one business book this year, read this...and it's short!, June 12, 2009 By  J. Brown (Florida United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Amazon Verified Purchase This book contains some valuable universal truths presented in an interesting way. I would classify it at as a "Leadership Lite" book worthy of downloading to your Kindle or stashed in your briefcase to be read on an airplane. I love "fun to read" leadership books versus the "utilitarian", "old fogy" "Harvard Business Review" style and this book is fun to read. I still read the utilitarian books...I just suffer through them. What makes this book good is the stories to illustrate points are the author's own. Here are my top eight takeaways from Ignore Everybody. 1. The more original your idea is, the less good advice people will be able to give you. 2. Good ideas alter the power balance in relationships that is why good ideas are always initially resisted. 3. Your idea doesn't have to be big. It just has to be alone. The more the idea is yours alone, the more freedom you have to do something really amazing. 4. The price of being a sheep is boredom. The price of being a wolf is loneliness. Choose one or the other with great care. 5. Being good at anything is like figure skating - the definition of being good at it is being able to make it look easy. But it never is easy. Ever. That is what the stupidly wrong people conveniently forget. 6. Your job is probably worth 50 percent of what it was in real terms ten years ago. And who knows? It may very well not exist in five to ten years...Stop worrying about technology. Start worrying about people who trust you. 7. Part of being a master is learning to sing in nobody else's voice but your own...Put your whole self into it, and you will find your true voice. Hold back and you won't. Its that simple. 8. The biggest mistake young people make is underestimating how competitive the world is out there. I recommend this book with one reservation. The captions in the cartoons are racy to say the least and not suited for the corporate environment or youthful readers. If the racy cartoons were toned down or removed I would have immediately sent a copy of this book to all of my clients. If they were toned down or removed it wouldn't be Hugh MacLeod's style either. So my clients will have to buy this book themselves. Dr. James T. Brown PMP PE CSP Author, The Handbook of Program Management 52 of 59 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Hugh will change you (for the better), June 11, 2009 By  Seth Godin "Seth Godin" (Irvington, NY USA) - See all my reviews Creativity is not a genetic trait, nor is it reserved for professionals. Everyone is creative sooner or later, but unfortunately, most people have it drilled out of them when they're kids. This little book undrills it. Hugh harangues and encourages and pushes and won't sit still until you, like him, are unwilling to settle. Go ahead. You deserve it. And we need your contributions. We can't wait!		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Great Advice! Ignore Everybody is a must read for anyone who is, or aspires to be creative. There are 40 "keys to creativity" that are definitely applicable to creative types, but would serve... Read more Published 29 days ago by John R. Sedivy 5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking and entertaining at the same time Refreshing and very thought provoking. I would highly recommend this book to entrepreneurs, business owners, sales people, college students, and leaders. Read more Published 1 month ago by Jeff Payne 2.0 out of 5 stars The Back-of-the-Business-Card Guy Finally Breaks his Silence Low page count, big type, broad spaces between the lines, and lots of cartoons. As MacLeod cheerfully admits in the beginning, this is more of an extended blog post than a book,... Read more Published 1 month ago by William P. Mcneill 3.0 out of 5 stars Shallow "Everyone is born creative, the challenge is to remain creative as you grow up" - Picasso. I'm a fan of Hugh's work. Read more Published 1 month ago by Ilya Grigorik 5.0 out of 5 stars perfect for creative motivation, inspiration the beauty of this book isn't just the perfect tone of motivation or the inspiration it provides but how brief and accurate each observation is. Read more Published 1 month ago by Amardeep Rehal 4.0 out of 5 stars I felt like this book was written specifically for me Kinda creepy actually, I felt like the author was targeting me exactly when he wrote this book. Obviously this guy went through what I'm going through right now, I wrote about... Read more Published 2 months ago by Phillip Schwarzmann 5.0 out of 5 stars Great little book I have read this book three times and I have enjoyed it each time. The author talks about his maketing career but his advise can be applied to a wide range of careers. Read more Published 2 months ago by despitedelaysanddetours.blogsp... 5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, great insight, and no punches pulled I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a follower of the self-help genre. I generally turn my nose up at those kinds of books without so much as looking at them, because... Read more Published 2 months ago by Wanderer 5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful Read This book will take you one hour to read, but it is full of insights. The author speaks honestly and sometimes harshly, but the point is clear. Creativity takes risks. Read more Published 2 months ago by Joan C. Curtis 5.0 out of 5 stars Creativity According to Hugh MacLeod This is my second book report and again, the spoiler alert is in effect. (My first was Surfing with Malcom Gladwell. Read more Published 2 months ago by Michael I Myers Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

---

Customer Discussions

This product's forum Discussion Replies Latest Post Waiting impatiently for my book... 1 June 2009 › See all discussions...   [Start the discussion] Start a new discussion Topic: First post: Receive e-mail when new posts are made Prompts for sign-in   Guidelines Active discussions in related forums Discussion Replies Latest Post kindle Just joined the club 7 54 minutes ago health Male circumcision. 4460 3 hours ago kindle Author Anecdotes 72 3 hours ago kindle Washington Post Article About E-Readers For The Holidays 0 3 hours ago kindle Great Short Story Collection 54 3 hours ago health Why oppose health care reform? 1097 4 hours ago self-help Being Hypersensitive, Feeling others feelings "Turning Down the Noise" through addiction 79 8 hours ago self-help SUICIDE 193 10 hours ago Search Customer Discussions Only search this product's forum

The Creativity community Latest activity 1 hour ago 4,839 customers have contributed 2,639 products, 334 lists & guides and more... › Explore the community The Marketing community Latest activity 1 hour ago 5,647 customers have contributed 3,711 products, 651 lists & guides and more... › Explore the community The Kindle community Latest activity 30 minutes ago 13,040 customers have contributed 15,721 products, 1,023 discussions and more... › Explore the community Related forums creativity (2 discussions) health (710 discussions) hugh macleod kindle (1023 discussions) marketing (11 discussions) self-help (265 discussions) Explore more › See all Customer Communities › Your communities

---

Listmania!

recent books about creativity: A list by Hall Houston "author of PROVOKING THOUGHT"   GECE2010-1: A list by Brenda Foltz   Mixed Media Collage Inspiring and Informative Books: A list by SWinkler "Mixed Media Artist" Create a Listmania! list

Search Listmania!

---

So You'd Like to...

Stop procrastinating: A guide by Leo Babauta   Become a published author: A guide by David Newman "Small Business Marketing Expert"   RECOGNIZE WHEN OTHERS AREN’T RESPONDING TO YOU!: A guide by Steve Nakamoto "The Friendly Voice Of The Other Half" Create a guide

Search Guides

---

Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)

Be the first person to add an article about this item at Amapedia.com.

› See featured Amapedia.com articles

---

Look for Similar Items by Category

• Books > Business & Investing > Business Life
• Books > Business & Investing > Job Hunting & Careers
• Books > Business & Investing > Management & Leadership > Motivational
• Books > Health, Mind & Body > Self-Help > Creativity

---

Look for Similar Items by Subject

Search Books by subject:
Macleod, Hugh
Business / Economics / Finance
BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / General
Business & Economics / Motivational
Business Life - General
Motivational
Creativity
Advice on careers & achieving success
Self-Help
Advertising cards
Business cards
Creativity in advertising
Careers & Success


i.e., each book must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...

Ad feedback

 

Feedback If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? Is there any other feedback you would like to provide? Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to all feedback submitted via this form, but we'll ask you to sign in so we can contact you if needed.

Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

› View and edit your browsing history

Get to Know Us Careers Investor Relations Press Releases Amazon and Our Planet Make Money with Us Sell on Amazon Join Associates Self-publish with Us › See all Let Us Help You Shipping Rates & Policies Amazon Prime Returns Help

Canada | China | France | Germany | Japan | United Kingdom  And don't forget: Amazon Windowshop | AmazonWireless | Askville | Audible | DPReview | Endless | IMDb | Shopbop | SoundUnwound | Warehouse Deals by Amazon | Zappos Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Portfolio Hardcover (June 11, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159184259X
• ISBN-13: 978-1591842590
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,262 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #21 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Self-Help > Creativity
  #48 in	Books > Business & Investing > Management & Leadership > Motivational
  #60 in	Books > Business & Investing > Business Life

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book You Shouldn't Ignore, June 11, 2009

By	A. Krupp - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ignore Everybody is two things in one. First, it's a series of tips designed to turn creatives into artists. Second, it's a collection of Hugh's best cartoons. While some of the cartoons do support the text, I'm going to review the cartoons and the text separately because they really do stand on their own.

===THE BOOK===

What separates a writer from an author? A rower from an oarsman? A comedian from a humorist?

Greatness in any field comes from taking a novel idea and pushing it to its logical conclusion, redefining the medium in the process.

Hugh doesn't teach you how to come up with your big idea, nor is the book a collection of theories on what makes something innovative. Rather, Hugh's rules teach a mindset conducive to pushing great ideas to their logical conclusions.

This book won't teach you how to paint, but if you're lucky you'll come away with the mental frame you need to avoid having the outside world crush your creativity. And if you really take its lessons to heart then hopefully, in the words of Steve Jobs, you'll ship.

Over the years I've sent the blog post that inspired this book to countless friends, and now that I've read the book itself I can't recommend it enough. I'd consider it a must-read for any creative who aspires to be an artist, not just some guy who lives in a loft and calls himself a writer.

But even if you don't aspire to become an artist, the book still has much to offer. In Hugh's own words, "This book is about becoming more 'creative' in one's work, whoever you may be. Or just useful advice for any one who aspires to undertake some creative or artistic journey."

===THE CARTOONS===

While reading Ignore Everybody, one gets the sense that Hugh MacLeod would be far happier if only he were a little less intelligent. The existentially depressed cynic to Woody Allen's bumbling neurotic, the Hugh MacLeod character is sort of a cross between Dostoevsky and George Carlin.[1] That is, the cartoons are really a collection of observations about people, their motivations, and the shallowness and meaninglessness of the human condition.

So, is Hugh truly an artist, someone who has pushed the medium forward? Yes. Two reasons:

1) Hugh is the only cartoonist that's figured out a way to draw his characters in a way that really lets you see into their souls. Hugh manages to nail the platonic ideals of the ditzy blonde, the pretending-to-be-an-artist-to-pick-up-girls guy, the too-full-of-himself corporate a**hole, etc. Considering that his cartoons are really only simple line drawings, it's amazing how well he's able to convey the characters' posture, dress, facial expression, body language, etc.

You can tell exactly what the character is like as an entire person just by looking at them, even if you cover up the text. Open up the Sunday comics and it quickly becomes clear that no other cartoonist can do this.

2) Hugh's second trademark is being able to write the one sentence that sums up the character's entire existence.

Man: "I can't decide what I want to be: A millionaire or an artist."
Woman: "Can't you just compromise? Become a millionaire artist or something..."

Viewed through the lens of the art, the human existence is nothing more than posturing and superficiality.

Does Hugh actually believe this? He says,

"I don't necessarily find the human condition shallow and meaningless per se. Just our egos and pride sometimes force us to act like it is. I think we're all strive to find meaning in life, we just don't always elect to take the high road when doing so; we're often far too willing to look for shortcuts."

All in all, this is a book that will change the way you think. In a good way. A very good way.

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you read one business book this year, read this...and it's short!, June 12, 2009

By	J. Brown (Florida United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This book contains some valuable universal truths presented in an interesting way. I would classify it at as a "Leadership Lite" book worthy of downloading to your Kindle or stashed in your briefcase to be read on an airplane.

I love "fun to read" leadership books versus the "utilitarian", "old fogy" "Harvard Business Review" style and this book is fun to read. I still read the utilitarian books...I just suffer through them. What makes this book good is the stories to illustrate points are the author's own.

Here are my top eight takeaways from Ignore Everybody.

1. The more original your idea is, the less good advice people will be able to give you.

2. Good ideas alter the power balance in relationships that is why good ideas are always initially resisted.

3. Your idea doesn't have to be big. It just has to be alone. The more the idea is yours alone, the more freedom you have to do something really amazing.

4. The price of being a sheep is boredom. The price of being a wolf is loneliness. Choose one or the other with great care.

5. Being good at anything is like figure skating - the definition of being good at it is being able to make it look easy. But it never is easy. Ever. That is what the stupidly wrong people conveniently forget.

6. Your job is probably worth 50 percent of what it was in real terms ten years ago. And who knows? It may very well not exist in five to ten years...Stop worrying about technology. Start worrying about people who trust you.

7. Part of being a master is learning to sing in nobody else's voice but your own...Put your whole self into it, and you will find your true voice. Hold back and you won't. Its that simple.

8. The biggest mistake young people make is underestimating how competitive the world is out there.

I recommend this book with one reservation. The captions in the cartoons are racy to say the least and not suited for the corporate environment or youthful readers. If the racy cartoons were toned down or removed I would have immediately sent a copy of this book to all of my clients. If they were toned down or removed it wouldn't be Hugh MacLeod's style either. So my clients will have to buy this book themselves.

Dr. James T. Brown PMP PE CSP
Author, The Handbook of Program Management

52 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hugh will change you (for the better), June 11, 2009

By	Seth Godin "Seth Godin" (Irvington, NY USA) - See all my reviews

Creativity is not a genetic trait, nor is it reserved for professionals.

Everyone is creative sooner or later, but unfortunately, most people have it drilled out of them when they're kids.

This little book undrills it.

Hugh harangues and encourages and pushes and won't sit still until you, like him, are unwilling to settle.

Go ahead. You deserve it. And we need your contributions. We can't wait!