YouTube

I'm begging you to start writing essays (even if you hate writing)

2026-04-05 · 18:03 UTC ·Dan Koe ·1 min read

Brief

Dan Koe's 2026 presentation (video published 2026-04-05) argues that writing and publishing essays trains thinking and public accountability. In a structured talk he diagnoses internet-driven problems, names “three forces” undermining collective thought, positions essays as a refuge within the meaning economy, and offers tactical tools to think in public and capture ideas.

Why it matters

Dan Koe (video published 2026-04-05) urges viewers to write and publish essays to sharpen thinking and public accountability, arguing essays may be “the last bastion of real thinking” and are key to thriving in the meaning economy.

Key details

  • The talk is organized by timestamped chapters (0:00; 1:35; 6:31; 10:53; 16:59; 22:05) that cover: the internet’s harms, the three forces breaking civilization’s ability to think, why essays matter, how to thrive in the meaning economy, and how to think in public.
  • Koe gives practical next steps and resources: use eden.so to collect ideas and schedule content, subscribe to letters.thedankoe.com, listen via his Spotify show, and consult his books The Art of Focus and Purpose & Profit.
Source evidence

Find proven ideas, save inspiration from anywhere, and schedule content: https://eden.so

If you don't want to miss my weekly writing, videos, or guides: https://letters.thedankoe.com

If you'd rather listen to these videos on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3lZRG3LCFZxKkQVSsCwoyN

––– My Books –––

The Art of Focus: https://theartoffocusbook.com

Purpose & Profit: https://thedankoe.com/purpose

––– Socials –––

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thedankoe
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thedankoe
YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/DanKoeTalks
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/thedankoe

––– Chapters –––
0:00 I am begging you to write more essays
1:35 The internet isn’t dead, but it’s killing us
6:31 The three forces breaking civilization’s ability to think
10:53 Why essays may be the last bastion of real thinking
16:59 The meaning economy and how to thrive in it
22:05 How to think in public (and why it’s the most valuable skill you can develop)

essays #creatoreconomy #skillacquisition #learning

Channel: Dan Koe
Published: 2026-04-05
Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rNqNvwNcrM