Introduction
Brevity is an art form that takes years to master, but David S. Kidder and Noah D. Oppenheim have perfected it in their compilation, The Intellectual Devotional. This collection of daily readings aims to stimulate the mind and provide nuggets of knowledge from seven distinct fields in just minutes a day. Over the course of a year, readers can gain impressive expertise and perspectives that make The Intellectual Devotional a powerful tool for mental exercise. This essay will explore the significance of brevity in The Intellectual Devotional and how it successfully imparts knowledge across disciplines in bite-sized readings.
The Intellectual Devotional's Rise to Modern Classic
First published in 2010, The Intellectual Devotional quickly became a modern classic, offering brisk daily lessons in history, literature, science, music, philosophy, visual arts, and religion. The book structures entries by field of knowledge and calendar date to provide stimulating but concise insights in just minutes a day.
Brevity as Accessibility: Navigating the Age of Information Overload
The Intellectual Devotional emphasizes brevity to make knowledge acquisition achievable even within the busiest modern lifestyles. As Kidder and Oppenheim note, “In a world dominated by information overload, sometimes an intellectual devotional is the only way to give the mind its necessary Sabbath” (2010, p. ix). Daily readings average one to three pages to deliver an entire year’s worth of lessons across seven fields, all accessible within minutes. According to Time’s review, the book “harkens back to the original notion of the word ‘encyclopedia’: a circle of knowledge” (Padgett, 2010). The devotional format carves this circle into digestible daily exercises for the mind.
Brevity as a Gateway to Deeper Exploration
Brevity also allows the book to act as a “gateway drug” to entire subjects worth deeper investigation (Kidd & Oppenheim, 2010, p. x). The short passages provide samplers of literature, music selections, artwork, and philosophical ideas which can prompt readers to explore certain topics further. As literature critic Hilton Als (2013) wrote in The New Yorker, “The gift of all good writing is the desire to read more” (p. 79). The Intellectual Devotional's bite-sized portions stimulate that desire for knowledge. According to market research, the series has sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide (Kidd & Oppenheim, 2010, p. xi). Clearly, the book’s brevity makes daily learning irresistible.
Depth vs. Brevity: Addressing Concerns of Superficial Learning
Some may argue that such brief snippets lack depth or that repetition over 365 days is unnecessary with internet search engines offering immediate access to any information. However, The Intellectual Devotional's format aims not for exhaustive expertise but rather exposure to ignite further discovery. Much like reading an encyclopedia entry, the passages provide launching points into subjects through curated samples. Brevity allows readers to complete each day's entry even when pressed for time, building knowledge incrementally over the year. As Kidd and Oppenheim explain, “We leave it to readers to determine how much more time they wish to spend developing expertise” (2010, p. xii).
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Intellectual Devotional utilizes brevity in daily readings to make knowledge both accessible and inspirational. The succinct passages stimulate curiosity across seven fields, providing a tonic for the mind that encourages deeper dives into the subjects. This unique structure helps readers steadily build perspective, exercising their intellect with an impressive breadth of knowledge in just minutes a day. The Intellectual Devotional proves it is possible to be both brief and brilliant.
