I think the response to the first and third point is the same -- it's up to YOU to decide what's an important part of your life, it's up to YOU to decide what's real and fake.
Or rather, actually -- first, you decide what's an absolutely important part of your life. Then you do THAT real thing -- not any fake thing peripheral to the real thing that you decided was important.
I think that trying to draw value judgments out of the article is a serious mistake. The author is not suggesting any values. The author is trying to suggest the best way to pursue your own values. The idea is not that success in public speaking or architecture is important. The idea is that success in your own goals is important. The idea is not that time not spent toward the goals the author endorses is wasted. The idea is that time not spent on the goals that you endorse is wasted.
Or rather, actually -- first, you decide what's an absolutely important part of your life. Then you do THAT real thing -- not any fake thing peripheral to the real thing that you decided was important.
I think that trying to draw value judgments out of the article is a serious mistake. The author is not suggesting any values. The author is trying to suggest the best way to pursue your own values. The idea is not that success in public speaking or architecture is important. The idea is that success in your own goals is important. The idea is not that time not spent toward the goals the author endorses is wasted. The idea is that time not spent on the goals that you endorse is wasted.