#777: Derek Sivers, Philosopher-Entrepreneur — The Greatest Year of His Life

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Nov 13, 2024

Derek Sivers, a multifaceted philosopher, entrepreneur, and musician, shares his transformative journey from a musician to the founder of CD Baby, unpacking the cultural nuances of his experiences in China and Taiwan. He tackles personal aversions, revealing how confronting dislike can lead to joy, and emphasizes the value of diverse perspectives in fostering deeper connections. The conversation also explores minimalism in living spaces, the intricacies of language learning, and innovative approaches to translation quality, all sprinkled with humor and thoughtful insights.

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ANECDOTE

Emirati Coffee Revelation

Derek Sivers initially disliked coffee but changed his mind after trying Emirati coffee in Dubai.
He now enjoys it and recommends Batil in Dubai for authentic Emirati coffee.

ANECDOTE

Python Prejudice Overcome

Derek Sivers, a Ruby programmer, was prejudiced against Python for 20 years.
He finally tried it and now loves the Python programming language.

ANECDOTE

From Rat Killer to Rat Lover

Derek Sivers used to kill rats but now has pet rats, Cricket and Clover.
His son showed him how sweet and smart pet rats are, changing his perspective.

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Useful Not True

Derek Sivers

In 'Useful Not True', Derek Sivers challenges readers to question their beliefs and adopt thoughts based on their usefulness rather than their inherent truth. The book emphasizes the power of reframing perspectives, recognizing that most statements are subjective rather than objective facts. Sivers argues that beliefs and meanings are tools that should serve us, helping us to take effective actions and navigate life more effectively. He encourages readers to separate events from their interpretations, question their thoughts and memories, and choose beliefs that lead to positive outcomes. The book is known for its concise and empowering approach, using practical examples and stories to illustrate its points[2][3][5].

How to Live

27 conflicting answers and one weird conclusion

Derek Sivers

In 'How to Live', Derek Sivers presents a collection of 27 independent chapters, each offering a different philosophy on how to live. These chapters often contradict each other, arguing for various approaches such as being completely independent, committing to one career or person, being fully present, or delaying gratification. The book is designed for reflection as much as instruction, providing actionable directives without quoting philosophers or naming specific ideologies. It invites readers to consider multiple perspectives and find their own way, emphasizing that there is no one right way to live life.

The 4-Hour Body

An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman

Tim Ferriss

In 'The 4-Hour Body,' Tim Ferriss shares the results of over a decade of self-experimentation and research, involving hundreds of elite athletes, dozens of MDs, and thousands of hours of personal testing. The book covers more than 50 topics, including how to lose weight quickly, gain muscle without steroids, sleep less and perform better, and improve sexual health. Ferriss emphasizes the importance of finding the smallest changes that produce the biggest results, making it accessible for readers to achieve significant improvements in their physical health and performance.

Emergency

This Book Will Save Your Life

Neil Strauss

In 'Emergency', Neil Strauss recounts his three-year journey to equip himself with the skills necessary to survive in a world fraught with dangers such as terrorist attacks, natural disasters, economic collapse, and domestic crackdowns. Starting from a position of vulnerability, Strauss learns various survival skills including wilderness survival, urban evasion tactics, weapons training, and sustainable living. He meets with a diverse range of individuals, from backwoods militias to billionaires, to gather knowledge and strategies for survival. The book is a mix of humor, personal growth, and practical advice, ultimately shifting from a focus on personal escape to a commitment to helping others in times of crisis.

Loving What Is

Four Questions That Can Change Your Life

Stephen Mitchell

Byron Katie

In 'Loving What Is,' Byron Katie and Stephen Mitchell present 'The Work,' a simple yet powerful process of self-inquiry. The book teaches readers how to apply four key questions to any problem, enabling them to see their troubles in a new light. Katie's method emphasizes that suffering is not caused by the situation itself but by our thoughts about it. Through clear examples and dialogues, the book shows how to apply 'The Work' in various areas of life, such as relationships, work, and personal anxieties, leading to lasting peace, clarity, and energy. The process helps readers accept reality as it is, rather than resisting it, and promotes a transformative practice for spiritual growth and mental well-being[2][3][4].

How Buildings Learn

What Happens After They're Built

Stewart Brand

This book proposes that buildings adapt best when constantly refined and reshaped by their occupants. It argues that architects can mature from being artists of space to becoming artists of time. The book covers a wide range of architectural examples, from connected farmhouses in New England to I.M. Pei’s Media Lab, and discusses the evolution of various architectural styles. Brand emphasizes the importance of flexibility and adaptability in building design, criticizing modernist approaches that prioritize form over function and human needs. He also highlights the different layers of a building (site, structure, skin, services, and space plan) and how each layer has a different lifespan and requires different maintenance strategies[2][3][5].

Hell Yeah or No

What's Worth Doing

Derek Sivers

This book by Derek Sivers is a collection of short, concise chapters offering practical wisdom on decision-making, prioritization, and living a fulfilling life. The central philosophy is that one should only commit to things that elicit a 'hell yeah' response, and say 'no' to everything else. This approach helps in avoiding burnout and ensuring time and energy are dedicated to the most important and exciting activities. The book covers themes such as what’s worth doing, fixing faulty thinking, and making things happen, providing numerous mental models and life lessons to apply in daily life.

MONEY Master the Game

7 Simple Steps to Financial Freedom

Tony Robbins

In 'MONEY Master the Game: 7 Simple Steps to Financial Freedom,' Tony Robbins provides a comprehensive blueprint for securing financial freedom. The book is based on extensive research and interviews with legendary investors such as Warren Buffett, Ray Dalio, Carl Icahn, and John Bogle. It outlines seven steps: making the most important financial decision of your life, becoming an insider by knowing the financial rules, making the game winnable, making the most important investment decision, creating a lifetime income plan, investing like the top 0.1%, and taking action. The book emphasizes the importance of education, diversification, and developing the right financial strategies to achieve long-term financial security and freedom.

Anything you want

Derek Sivers

In 'Anything You Want,' Derek Sivers shares 40 powerful lessons learned from his experience of accidentally starting and growing CD Baby into a successful business. The book emphasizes the importance of creating a business that is a 'utopia' or perfect world, where the focus is on making dreams come true for both the entrepreneur and the customers. Sivers stresses that business is not just about money but about helping people and making them happy. He also highlights the advantages of starting with no money, the irrelevance of traditional business plans, and the importance of prioritizing customer needs over personal gain. The book includes memorable stories of his mistakes and successes, including his interactions with Steve Jobs and the impact of his decisions on his business.

City of Gold

Will Hobbs

In this historical adventure, Owen Hollowell, at just 15, becomes the man of the house after his father's death from tuberculosis. When a rustler steals their two prized mules, Owen and his younger brother Till set out across the San Juan Mountains to retrieve them. Along the way, they encounter corrupt lawmen, greedy mining corporations, workers advocating for better work conditions, and the famous outlaws Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The story is vividly set in the Four Corners region, incorporating true events and real people, and offers a thrilling tale of resilience and adventure.

Your Music and People

Derek Sivers

In 'Your Music and People,' Derek Sivers shares a philosophy on getting your work to the world by emphasizing creativity, consideration, resourcefulness, and connection. Although the book uses music as an example, its principles are applicable to any creative field. Sivers discusses how marketing is an extension of your art, the importance of being considerate and helpful, and how persistence and specificity are key. The book is praised for its practical advice and inspiring perspective on building a successful creative career.

China's World View

Demystifying China to Prevent Global Conflict

David Daokui Li

In this book, Dr. David Daokui Li demystifies contemporary Chinese society and economy, advocating for understanding between China and the West. He explains the inner workings of China’s economic and political system, influenced by 2,000 years of history from Confucian philosophy to Communist Party leadership. Li reveals that China’s economy and society are diverse, dynamic, and flexible, contrary to the common Western perception of rigidity. He argues that China’s rise will be beneficial for the global order and hopes for peaceful coexistence between Chinese and Western systems through shared understanding and mutual learning.

Arabian sands

Wilfred Thesiger

In 'Arabian Sands,' Wilfred Thesiger recounts his extraordinary travels across the Empty Quarter, the largest sand desert in the world. Educated at Eton and Oxford, Thesiger was disillusioned with Western life and sought adventure and solitude in the harsh yet beautiful desert environment. He traveled with nomadic Bedouin tribes, immersing himself in their culture and way of life, which was on the verge of significant change due to the arrival of oil companies. The book provides a unique insight into the traditional Bedu lifestyle, tribal warfare, and the ancient history of the region, as well as Thesiger's personal reflections on the impact of modernization on these communities.