Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Irony can hinder professional seriousness by diverting intellectual energy.
In plain terms
A strong sense of irony kept him from doing serious work.
What can you take from it?
Humor and irony can sometimes distract from professional focus.

Where it applies

  • career choices
  • professional development
  • self-assessment

Putting it to work

  • balancing humor and work
  • channeling creativity

Questions to consider

  • Does humor help or hinder work?
  • How much seriousness is too much?

Another view

Irony can also be a valuable tool for critical thinking and problem-solving.

More from Neal Stephenson

  1. The intern had also discovered a vague little article from the late Sixties saying that Basco had put some 'junk machinery' on the floor of the Harbor, giving …

    Permalink to quote #23
  2. There was a white man sitting at the kitchen table, warming his hands by wrapping them around a hot cup of tea. He had kind of an oblong face, curly red hair p…

    Permalink to quote #25
  3. 'It might interest you to know that our state is tired of being used as a chemical toilet so that people in Utah can have plastic lawn furniture.' 'I can't bel…

    Permalink to quote #22

Related quotes

  1. In view of my previous weariness of office, and vague thoughts of resignation, my fortune somewhat resembled that of a person who should entertain an idea of c…

    Nathaniel HawthorneNathaniel Hawthorne quote #37
  2. I'm not really an exhibitionist. I'm drawn to the outrageous stuff because it's fun, not because it's some deep compulsion. I'm not tortured, anger-stoked, dee…

    Will FerrellWill Ferrell quote #70
  3. Many people quit looking for work when they find a job.

    Steven WrightSteven Wright quote #117