Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon Summary
Overview of Steal Like an Artist
Discover why "Steal Like an Artist" became a New York Times bestseller by challenging the myth of originality. Austin Kleon's manifesto for creative theft has sparked a decade-long revolution in how we approach creativity - nothing is original, and that's precisely the point.
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Key takeaways
Everything You Create Is Borrowed-And That's Beautiful
What if the pressure to be completely original is the very thing killing your creativity? For years, we've been sold a dangerous myth: that true artists conjure genius from thin air, that authentic creativity means starting from nothing. But Salvador Dali traced other artists' work. Bob Dylan borrowed melodies without apology. The Beatles built their sound on Elvis, who built his on blues musicians who built theirs on field songs. The uncomfortable truth is this: nothing is original. Every creative work is a remix of what came before, and once you accept this, you're finally free to create. The problem isn't that we steal-it's that we pretend we don't. Creativity isn't about divine inspiration striking from nowhere. It's about collecting influences like treasures, combining them in ways only you can, and transforming them through your unique sensibility. Your job isn't to be original. It's to be honest about what moves you and brave enough to mix those influences into something that reflects your particular obsessions. Think of Quentin Tarantino-his films are essentially collages of martial arts movies, spaghetti westerns, and exploitation flicks, yet they're unmistakably his. He doesn't hide his theft; he celebrates it. Begin by copying your heroes. Not to plagiarize, but to learn. Musicians play other people's songs before composing their own. Writers imitate favorite authors before developing their voice. Copy not just one influence but many, and here's where the magic happens: your imitations will be imperfect. Those "mistakes"-the ways you deviate because of your limitations or misunderstandings-become your signature. Leonard Cohen wasn't technically the best singer, but his limitations created his distinctive sound. Your flaws are your style waiting to emerge.
Start Making Before You Know Who You Are
Use Your Hands and Explore Physical Creation
Your Side Projects Aren't Distractions-They're Discoveries
Obscurity Is Your Secret Weapon
Build Your Creative Life on Boring Foundations
Your Creative Life Starts Now, Not Later
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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