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Magnum Opus Syndrome

Noun

A condition suffered by writers and creators, making them view their current work as a masterpiece in the making, despite them not having the required expertise.
This delusion often leads to the work being loaded with excessive seriousness, shallow philosophical rhetoric, and oversized themes it has not earned. The result is a work that insists on its own importance, framing ordinary material as profound and universal.
I couldn’t finish the novel. It was 300 pages of a barista explaining free will. Magnum opus syndrome much?
by Valdemar209 January 2, 2026
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