It’s quite tempting to form quick opinions on every shiny object and churn out a 200-word post almost instantly. A quick glance at 5-6 posts, a few short videos, and some current news is all it takes to put something together that appears insightful. But here’s the catch – what you’re really doing is not forming an original opinion but repackaging what others have already said. Your thoughts become an amalgamation of pre-existing viewpoints. While this approach works for creating quick, frequent, and snackable social media content, it falls short when it comes to creating meaningful, deeply informed perspectives.
To truly develop insightful opinions, you need to do the hard work. Start by going deep into a topic. Find at least five well-regarded books – maybe ten if the subject is vast – and read them thoroughly to understand the nuances, not just the surface. Study key reports or whitepapers from reputable sources. Listen to long-form podcasts featuring researchers, builders, or thought leaders who bring authentic expertise to the table. Dedicate enough time to immerse yourself – a month or two for smaller topics, or six months or more for broad, complex fields like AI.
Take Mukesh Bansal as an example. He doesn’t skim the surface; he starts with 10-20 books on a subject, going exceptionally deep. And by doing this, he uncovers patterns, foundational truths, and connections that casual exploration would never reveal. This depth naturally leads to fresh, original views — ones rooted in expertise rather than a rehash of popular sentiment. Thanks to this approach, he’s not just building perspectives, but starting long-term projects on this subjects.
When you’ve put in the time to understand a topic like an expert, your opinions will carry weight. They’ll stand out not because they’re loud but because they’re deeply informed. That’s when you’re ready to share – confidently, thoughtfully, and with real authority.
Parth Choudhury 