The Island Test
Paul Graham’s essay The Island Test proposes a practical diagnostic tool for understanding your true needs.
The Test
Imagine spending a weekend on a remote Maine island with no shops and no exit. Whatever you’d pack beyond basics reveals your true addictions.
What Graham Brings
- Books: Partly distraction—”if the world gets boring I need to slip into another”
- Earplugs: Essential for thinking; needs quiet for deep creative work
- Notebook and pen: Professional tools that “wick ideas”
Key Insights
On Addiction: The test reveals genuine dependencies versus casual preferences.
On Thinking: Different cognitive tasks require different conditions. Novel thinking demands complete silence.
On Books as Distraction: Graham acknowledges books function as escapism rather than serious reading.
On Habit Change: He recounts a mountain trek where he deliberately avoided books and found thinking equally rewarding.
My Takeaway
Try the island test yourself. What would you actually bring? That reveals what you truly depend on.
What would you bring to the island? I’d love to hear at persdre@gmail.com.