Can You Become a Master Chef? Boxer? Magician? Adam Gopnik Says Try It. | Amanpour and Company

Next we turn to the art of achieving greatness. How do the experts reach for excellence -- and attain it? The answers may be found in bestselling author Adam Gopnik’s new book, "The Real Work: On the Mystery of Mastery," in which he studies the methods of the masters in a variety of fields -- from art and dance to magic, boxing, and even driving instruction. Gopnik speaks with Hari Sreenivasan about the quest for perfection.

Originally aired on March 14, 2023

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Amanpour and Company features wide-ranging, in-depth conversations with global thought leaders and cultural influencers on the issues and trends impacting the world each day, from politics, business and technology to arts, science and sports. Christiane Amanpour leads the conversation on global and domestic news from London with contributions by prominent journalists Walter Isaacson, Michel Martin, Alicia Menendez and Hari Sreenivasan from the Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center in New York City.

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[jansumi]

I'm just reading Alan Rusbridger's 400+page tome 'Play It Again' about his quest, as an amateur pianist, to master Chopin's most difficult Nocturne whist navigating an insanely busy professional & personal life. The insights he shares about the process of breaking down the components to learn the notes, in relation to his physical & emotional idiosyncrasies and comparing himself to others correspond exactly with what Gopnik is describing here. What is the goal, indeed? It's a brilliant read. I'll look forward to this new book, once I've mastered this one...

[gwynneshippy]

True creativity doesn’t come with a monetary value..
Artists create because they see, they feel, they have a heart..

[allisonandrews]

The wrong question yet again from NYT petty narcissists.