The Icarus Deception audiobook cover - How High Will You Fly?

The Icarus Deception

How High Will You Fly?

Seth Godin

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CreativityCareer & Success

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The Icarus Deception
The New Economy+
The Icarus Deception+
The True Artist+
Essential Traits+
Overcoming Obstacles+
Recognizing Opportunities+
Daily Practice+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 10
According to Seth Godin, how should we redefine what it means to be an 'artist' in the new digital economy?
  • A. Anyone who performs creative tasks requiring passion and ingenuity.
  • B. Only those who create visual or auditory masterpieces.
  • C. People who reject modern technology and focus on traditional crafts.
  • D. Individuals who manage large teams in corporate environments.
Question 2 of 10
What is the 'Icarus Deception' that modern society has fallen victim to?
  • A. We only remember the warning not to fly too high, forgetting Daedalus's advice that flying too low is also dangerous.
  • B. We believe that technology will solve all our problems, ignoring the risks of automation.
  • C. We focus too much on escaping our current situations instead of improving them.
  • D. We encourage people to take reckless risks without preparing them for the consequences.
Question 3 of 10
Why does the author compare humans in the new economy to monkeys rather than kittens?
  • A. Humans must be proactive and actively grab onto opportunities, rather than waiting to be carried to safety.
  • B. Humans need to learn to work in groups and build strong social hierarchies.
  • C. Humans should rely on their natural instincts rather than overthinking complex problems.
  • D. Humans are naturally curious and should constantly move from one project to another.
Question 4 of 10
How does the book suggest we redefine 'humility'?
  • A. As fully committing to your work and sharing your best self, rather than accepting poor performance to avoid standing out.
  • B. As always putting the needs of your boss and coworkers before your own creative ambitions.
  • C. As accepting that your art will likely fail and avoiding any sense of pride in your creations.
  • D. As giving away your creative work for free to benefit society as a whole.
Question 5 of 10
According to psychologist Angela Duckworth, what is the true essence of 'grit' for an artist?
  • A. Developing clear goals that reflect your true passions, which makes perseverance easier.
  • B. The ability to work long hours without experiencing physical or mental fatigue.
  • C. Stubbornly sticking to a project even when it no longer brings you joy or success.
  • D. Ignoring all external feedback and solely trusting your own intuition.
Question 6 of 10
What does the author identify as the artist's 'kryptonite' or greatest enemy?
  • A. Shame, which society uses to force conformity and discourage independent thinking.
  • B. Perfectionism, which prevents artists from ever releasing their work to the public.
  • C. Financial instability, which forces creatives back into traditional nine-to-five jobs.
  • D. Arrogance, which blinds artists to necessary and constructive criticism.
Question 7 of 10
What key skill did pioneers like Fred Wilson and the founders of Fast Company use to achieve success?
  • A. They trained themselves to be highly observant and see the world as it really is to recognize new opportunities.
  • B. They relied heavily on focus groups and extensive market research before launching their ideas.
  • C. They isolated themselves from the world to avoid being influenced by other people's ideas.
  • D. They aggressively marketed their products to create a demand that didn't previously exist.
Question 8 of 10
What lesson does the book draw from the career of comedian Steve Martin?
  • A. Success in art is driven more by an obsession with refining small details than by raw, natural talent.
  • B. True artists must fit the stereotype of the extravagant bohemian to capture an audience's attention.
  • C. Comedians are the most authentic type of artist because they receive immediate feedback from the crowd.
  • D. You should only pursue a creative field if you have an innate, undeniable gift for it.
Question 9 of 10
How does the author suggest overcoming 'writer's block' or similar creative bottlenecks?
  • A. By treating your creative work like speaking and doing it every single day until it becomes second nature.
  • B. By taking a long break from your work to let your subconscious mind generate new ideas.
  • C. By only working on your art when you feel a sudden burst of intense inspiration.
  • D. By critically analyzing every word or action as you do it to ensure maximum quality.
Question 10 of 10
What actionable advice does the book offer regarding the pain and struggle associated with creating art?
  • A. Embrace the pain as an inevitable part of the process and focus on whether the final product is worth it.
  • B. If you experience pain or struggle, it means you have chosen the wrong creative path and should pivot.
  • C. Avoid struggling by keeping your safe day job and only pursuing art as a stress-free hobby.
  • D. Outsource the most difficult and painful parts of your creative process to others.

The Icarus Deception — Full Chapter Overview

The Icarus Deception Summary & Overview

The Icarus Deception (2012) takes aim at a myth as old as the ancient Greeks – that aiming high is bound to end in tears. Icarus might have flown too close to the sun, but we usually forget that he was also warned not to fly too low. Why does that matter? Well, we’re living in a new economy in which maintaining altitude on cruise control just won’t cut it. The new, global and connected economy is here to stay, and once “safe” jobs are being automated. Those who want to thrive better set their sights high. And that means one thing above all: living and working creatively.

Who Should Listen to The Icarus Deception?

  • Entrepreneurs
  • Dreamers
  • Artists

About the Author: Seth Godin

Seth Godin is the bestselling author of several books, including Purple Cow, Tribes and Poke the Box. A popular business and self-help blogger, he also founded Squidoo, a blogging platform that brings people together who wish to write about and share their passions.

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