#159

Mentioned in 82 episodes

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Book • 1974

This classic novel by Robert M. Pirsig is a personal and philosophical odyssey that delves into the author's search for meaning.

The narrative follows a father and his son on a summer motorcycle trip from the Midwest to California, intertwining a travelogue with deep philosophical discussions.

The book explores the concept of 'quality' and how it informs a well-lived life, reconciling science, religion, and humanism.

It also touches on the author's own struggles with his past and his philosophical quest, making it a touching and transcendent exploration of human experience and endeavor.

Mentioned by

Mentioned in 82 episodes

Mentioned by

Josh Waitzkin

in the context of dynamic and static quality.

The Art of Learning & Living Life | Josh Waitzkin

Recommended by

Bob Baxley

as a philosophy book about the concept of quality.

35 years of product design wisdom from Apple, Disney, Pinterest, and beyond | Bob Baxley

Mentioned by

Tim Ferriss

as one of Ev Williams' favorite books from 2016.

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Mentioned by Nick Sleep as a book that deeply resonated with him and shaped his investment approach, emphasizing quality in actions and decisions.

#364 Nick & Zak's Excellent Adventure: How Nick Sleep and Qais Zaharia Built Their Investment Partnership

Mentioned by

Josh Waitzkin

when discussing the difference between philosophers and "philosophologists".

#756: Anne Lamott and Josh Waitzkin

Mentioned by

Josh Waitzkin

as one of his favorite books and thinkers, differentiating between philosopher and philosophologist.

#148: Josh Waitzkin, The Prodigy Returns

Mentioned by

Josh Waitzkin

as one of the most important books ever written.

Episode 2: Joshua Waitzkin

Mentioned by

David Perell

as a book that people reread multiple times and get something new from each time.

Paul Harding: A New Way To Think About Writing | How I Write

Mentioned by

Brad Stulberg

, quoting the author's perspective on finding meaning in experiences.

Master of Change: Brad Stulberg On Rugged Flexibility & The Neuroscience Of Expectations

Recommended by

Karri Saarinen

for its exploration of quality and its difficulty to define.

Inside Linear: Building with taste, craft, and focus | Karri Saarinen (co-founder, designer, CEO)

Mentioned by

Cal Newport

in a discussion about quiet quitting and the recurring theme of re-evaluating work-life balance across generations.

Ep. 214: Quiet Quitting

Mentioned by

Manu Sharma

when discussing the philosophical realm of AI's ability to make quality judgments.

The Data Factory: Inside the $100B Race for Post-Training Supremacy, with Labelbox CEO Manu Sharma

Mentioned by

Pete Holmes

in relation to the concept of Lila.

Mentioned by

Joe Buleg

in the context of discussing his preferences for Robert Pirsig's books.

182: Clear Thinking by Shane Parrish

Mentioned by

Kyle Grieve

as a book that heavily influenced Nick Sleep and Toby Carlisle.

TIP687: The Art of Thoughtful Wealth Creation w/ William Green

Mentioned by

Tim Ferriss

as an example of an author who became "loopy."

#362: Graham Duncan — Talent Is The Best Asset Class

Mentioned by

Clay Finck

as a book he found sometimes frustrating but ultimately engaging.

TIP641: Improve Decision Making with Mental Models w/ Clay Finck & Kyle Grieve

Mentioned by

Peter Wang

when discussing the layered nature of human beings and human collectives.

#250 – Peter Wang: Python and the Source Code of Humans, Computers, and Reality

Mentioned by

William Green

in relation to the concept of quality.

TIP703: Richer, Wiser, Happier Q1, 2025 w/ Stig Brodersen & William Green

Mentioned by

Mike Schmitz

as a book he absolutely hated.

213: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

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