[bshastry]

> If you are not reading a regular amount of classics, you are doomed to be historically parochial.

Precisely. Often, I cannot relate to classics, and therefore end up feeling let down and questioning the hype. But the reason it is a classic is because it stood out from peers at the time. It is this quality of classics that I believe you are referring to.

> Pop social science and business self-help books are like chocolate - healthy in small doses, as part of a balanced diet.

I suppose it's more like sugar for the brain. Too much of it is bad. But I see what you mean.