One of the joys of this past weekend that I didn't write about (because I was enjoying it too much to type) was a session by Paul Graham about writing essays.  I came into the room as he was urging people to have the courage to delete large chunks of text, and I stayed. 

Someone asked, "You always get slashdotted.  What's up with that?"  Graham had a graceful response, but he could also have said, "Well, I write well-crafted essays full of new ideas.  And my essays aren't too long."

He talked a good deal about controversial subjects that he doesn't want to write about, many of which are gender-related.  His style in the room was relaxed and conversational, and there were people leaning up against the walls all around him.  It was a great session, and I'm looking forward to reading Hackers and Painters.