The key to various things [Bryan]

Some hard won wisdom:

1. The key to good popcorn is to use white popcorn, not yellow popcorn.

2. The keys to being a good teacher are enthusiasm and asking good questions (i.e, questions with an answer that is not immediately obvious).

3. The key ingredient to chocolate chip cookies is sea salt, and more of it than you might think.

4. The key to publishing an academic paper is to relentlessly revise and resubmit, documenting in detail what you have done to please the reviewers.

5. The key to buying a good car is never buying anything but a Toyota.

6. The key to understanding Hegel is to realize he is just warmed-over Aristotle.

7. The key to a good television show is that it is written or produced by Joss Whedon.

8. The key to losing weight is, alas, eating almost nothing -- exercise does not matter at all.

9. The key to a happy marriage is to help out around the house.

10. The key to recognizing Baroque music is to listen for the basso continuo.

11. The key to tying a bow tie is to stick your finger in the knot to widen the hole at the final stage.

12. The key to reading the Book of Revelation is to read it as poetry.

13. The key to success in basketball is the pump fake.

14. The key to a good rock band is the bass player.

15. The key to good pancakes is a good griddle.

16. The key to a good milkshake is that it is thin, not thick, as most people seem to think. You should be able to drink a milkshake from a straw.

17. The key to good cooking in general is this: fresh cilantro.

18. The key to successful fishing is to go where there are fish. (Obvious point, but I've learned it the hard way.)

19. The key to getting anything done is to avoid any place where you can connect to the Internet.

20. The key to using a public restroom is to choose the second-to-last stall near the very end. It is usually the cleanest.

Anybody have anything to add to this list?