“I have forced myself to contradict myself in order to avoid conforming to my own taste.”
What this quote means
Duchamp expresses a bold strategy to escape the rigidity of personal taste. By forcing himself to contradict himself, he avoids falling into repetition and self-satisfaction. This approach encourages constant questioning and exploration of unknown territories, and applies to any creator or thinker who wants to stay alive and surprising.
How to apply it daily
Identify a deeply held opinion or taste of yours, then deliberately seek the opposite perspective. Experiment with it in a creation or discussion, without trying to defend it.
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