I recently recognized that when I think about other people, I expect a similar category. I get very surprised when a fiction writer writes a nonfiction book, and vice versa. I think “oh, that writer writes about X” and expect them to stay within the genre.

Yet, in my own life, I know that I have, and act upon, numerous passions. Furthermore, over time my passions change, or I may pick up different projects later on.

What harm does the ‘bias of the box’ (what I’m calling putting people in a category) cause? Do you share this bias?