As with all things, moderation is critical. On one extreme, you're just gorging articles and reading about ideas. But you don't do anything about them, you just keep on reading. On the other extreme, you shut out the world and live in your head. There is the chance that you'll "create your own opportunity" (to use the phrase of the author) but you limit your chances by not interacting with others.
Read something, see if you can act on it. If not, move along. There's no reason to take either extreme.
because I hanged with a guy / because I hung out with a guy
I tell them you need to relax; get your head out of the book. / I tell them they need to relax; get their head out of the book.
over the long hall it works out./ over the long haul it works out.
I'm not trying to be a downer, just offering some HN feedback. :)
Keep on rocking. With a little refinement I think this post would make a good counter to "Did you hear we got Osama" but as it stands it's not as clear cut. I ass/u/me you are not a native english speaker but nonetheless I got your gist.
Just playing devils advocate: You suggest to your friend "Get your head out of the book" but is not HN/etc the "proverbial" book?
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It means attack the problem from a point of interest. Ergo, can mean reading that same book ;), back to front maybe :D
This should be common sense. Learn and be knowledgeable but don't get consumed and paralyzed.
In maths, the people who write the proof sometimes aren't the people who make it rigorous. The elements of the proof are there and there are people who like coming in and fixing it. Same thing with grammar/writing...There are people who like coming in and fixing it.
Diverge then converge, I do stay a little on the diverge side. http://creatingminds.org/principles/div_conv.htm
Or if you would like, it is part of the art form to stay raw.
PS. No amphetamine were consumed during, or before this post or even ever.