Popping in on one of my infrequent visits. Great observations, everyone.
My observation about "blame the professor" comes from my own graduation from innocent, broadly-read geek. I've always read more than my peers - both in volume and in content. I won't pass up a good book, whether it's the latest best seller or something a little deeper. As I became older and more confident, I took on some scholarly articles, and suddenly felt stupid. Some of that stuff took four or five readings to divine the meaning. Then I read some well-written articles and books on esoteric topics, and I had my aha! moment. It wasn't my competence in question; it was the talent of the author!
Here are some well-written books that cover the deep stuff without putting you to sleep:
Education of a Wandering Man by Louis L'Amour - he manages to slide in a lifetime reading list
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey - it took me over a year to finish - not because it is a heavy book as some have claimed - but because the book demands life change. It's one of those books I wish I had read in my twenties. That and Getting Things Done by David Allen.
The Language Instinct by Steven Pinker. I know this book is important because I keep referring back to it when I have my Big Ideas.
One of Betty Friedan's autobiographies, Life so Far. I keep going back to her book, too. She keenly observes the broad reach of societal change and targets the tickly spots. A true prophetess of our generation. Also in this category are the first two books by Malcolm Gladwell.
I wonder if the whole tent/temple thing might have been inspired by an argument put out by Christian apologists, challenging the belief that the Great Crowd have no inheritance in heaven:
http://www.kevinquick.com/kkministries/books/reasoning/greatcrowd.html