Curious Worldview Nat Eliason | From Crypto To Copy: Exit Liquidity, Crypto Confidential & Writing Worthy Of Posterity
Nat Eliason, a prolific online writer and author of "Crypto Confidential," dives into the wild world of cryptocurrency and the emotional rollercoaster it brings. He shares chaotic anecdotes about meme coins, exit liquidity, and the psychological toll of trading. The conversation also explores his evolution as a writer, highlighting the balance between originality and marketability. Nat dissects the unpredictable nature of book publishing and raises ethical questions surrounding the crypto landscape, making this conversation a must-listen for writers and crypto enthusiasts alike.
01:18:12
Serendipitous Book Encounter
- Ryan Hogg shares a story about a serendipitous encounter.
- Two strangers discuss Nat Eliason's book "Crypto Confidential," highlighting its relevance.
Book Sales and Crypto Market Correlation
- Nat Eliason's book sales increased as the crypto market gained renewed interest.
- This timing aligns with the book's focus on crypto mania and its relevance during market upswings.
The Book's Broader Theme
- Eliason aimed for his book to be an archetypal story about risk, trading, and market manipulation, not just a crypto book.
- It explores the human psychology behind market cycles.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Navigating the Crypto Journey
01:42 • 11min
The Evolution of Storytelling
12:40 • 26min
The Challenge of Concise Writing
38:11 • 2min
Reflecting on a Turbulent Nine Months in Crypto
39:42 • 2min
Navigating the Book Publishing Sea
41:43 • 19min
Navigating the Crypto Landscape
01:00:24 • 15min
Reflections on Democracy, Literature, and Influential Authors
01:15:19 • 3min
Meditations
Marcus Aurelius
Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe.
Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature.
Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.
Atlas Shrugged
Ayn Rand
Published in 1957, 'Atlas Shrugged' is Ayn Rand's magnum opus and her longest novel.
The story is set in a dystopian United States where increasingly burdensome laws and regulations strangle innovation and productivity.
The plot follows Dagny Taggart, a railroad executive, and Hank Rearden, a steel magnate, as they struggle against 'looters' who exploit their work.
A mysterious figure named John Galt leads a strike of productive individuals, persuading them to abandon their companies and disappear.
The novel culminates with Galt's three-hour radio speech explaining his philosophy of Objectivism, which emphasizes rational self-interest, individual rights, and the importance of the human mind.
The book explores themes of capitalism, property rights, and the failures of governmental coercion, presenting a provocative vision of a society in collapse and the potential for a new capitalist society based on Galt's principles.
The Three-Body Problem
None
Cixin Liu
Cixin Liu's 'The Three-Body Problem' is a critically acclaimed science fiction novel that blends hard science with compelling storytelling.
The story follows a group of scientists who make contact with an alien civilization, leading to unforeseen consequences for humanity.
Liu's intricate world-building and exploration of complex scientific and philosophical themes have earned him widespread recognition.
The novel is known for its ambitious scope and its exploration of the potential challenges and dangers of encountering extraterrestrial life.
It's a thought-provoking work that has captivated readers worldwide.
Dune
Frank Herbert
Dune, written by Frank Herbert, is set in a feudal interstellar society where noble houses control planetary fiefs.
The story follows Paul Atreides, whose family is tasked with ruling the inhospitable desert planet Arrakis, the sole source of melange, a substance crucial for extending life and enhancing mental abilities.
The novel delves into the intricate politics, religion, ecology, and technology of this futuristic world, as various factions vie for control of Arrakis and its valuable spice.
Paul, with his unique abilities and training by the Bene Gesserit, becomes a key figure in this struggle and eventually assumes the role of a messianic leader among the native Fremen people.
Crypto Confidential
Winning and Losing Millions in the New Frontier of Finance
Nathaniel Eliason
Crypto Confidential is Nathaniel Eliason's unfiltered account of his experiences in the hyperactive and highly speculative world of cryptocurrency.
The book chronicles his journey from learning to code to becoming a key developer in a token valued at billions of dollars.
It exposes the behind-the-scenes workings of the crypto market, including bull runs, breakdowns, scams, and the intense emotions and high stakes involved.
Eliason's anecdotes are both entertaining and instructive, providing valuable insights into the warning signs of disaster in the crypto market and how to be a more educated participant.
Infinite jest
wit and humor in Italian Renaissance art
Paul Barolsky
In this book, Paul Barolsky examines the role of wit and humor in Italian Renaissance art, providing insights into the artistic and cultural context of the period.
The work delves into how artists of the Renaissance used humor and wit in their creations, reflecting the broader cultural and social attitudes of the time.
Atomic Habits
James Clear
Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones.
The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying.
It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results.
Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation.
The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth.
Amusing Ourselves to Death
Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business
Neil Postman
In this book, Neil Postman argues that the contemporary world is more akin to Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World' than George Orwell's '1984'.
Postman contends that television's emphasis on entertainment has led to a decline in rational discourse and the trivialization of politics, education, and religion.
He contrasts the print-based culture of the 19th century with the televisual culture of the 20th century, highlighting how the medium of television inherently promotes incoherence and triviality, turning serious information into a form of entertainment.
Blood Meridian
Or, The Evening Redness in the West
Cormac McCarthy
Blood Meridian is a historical novel that depicts the brutal reality of the American West in the mid-19th century.
The story follows a 14-year-old runaway from Tennessee, known as 'the kid', who joins the Glanton gang, a historical group of scalp hunters.
The gang, led by John Joel Glanton and the enigmatic Judge Holden, is contracted to kill and scalp Native Americans but soon devolves into indiscriminate violence against various groups.
The novel explores themes of brutality, the loss of innocence, and the harsh realities of human nature, with Judge Holden serving as a central figure embodying philosophical and sadistic elements.
The book is known for its unflinching portrayal of violence and its allegorical exploration of human existence.
How to Win Friends and Influence People
Dale Carnegie
First published in 1936, 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' by Dale Carnegie is a timeless guide to improving interpersonal skills.
The book is divided into four main sections: Six Ways to Make People Like You, Twelve Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking, and Nine Ways to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment.
Carnegie's principles emphasize the importance of genuine interest in others, active listening, and avoiding criticism and argument.
The book offers practical advice on how to build strong relationships, communicate effectively, and influence others by aligning their self-interest with yours.
It has been a cornerstone of personal development and business success for generations.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Robert Pirsig
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.
The Comfort Crisis
Michael Easter
In 'The Comfort Crisis,' Michael Easter explores the idea that modern society's emphasis on comfort and convenience has led to various physical and mental health issues.
Easter's journey takes him to diverse locations, including the Alaskan backcountry, Bhutan, and the labs of neuroscientists, to uncover the benefits of living at the edges of one's comfort zone.
He discusses the concept of 'misogi,' a Japanese practice involving challenges that push individuals to their limits, and how such experiences can enhance creativity, reduce burnout and anxiety, and increase overall well-being.
The book is a call to action, encouraging readers to break out of their comfort zones and reconnect with the natural world and their own potential.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
Mark Manson
In this book, Mark Manson argues against the typical self-help advice of constant positivity, instead suggesting that life's struggles give it meaning.
He emphasizes the need to focus on what truly matters and to accept and confront painful truths.
The book is divided into nine chapters and uses blunt honesty and profanity to illustrate its ideas, encouraging readers to find meaning through values they can control and to replace uncontrollable values with more meaningful ones.
Antifragile
Things That Gain from Disorder
Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Albino Santos Mosquera
Genís Sánchez Barberán
In 'Antifragile', Nassim Nicholas Taleb delves into the concept of antifragility, arguing that some systems not only withstand stress and disorder but actually benefit from them.
The book builds on ideas from his previous works, such as 'Fooled by Randomness' and 'The Black Swan', and is part of his five-volume philosophical treatise on uncertainty, 'Incerto'.
Taleb provides examples from various fields, including science, economics, and history, to illustrate how antifragility can be achieved and how it contrasts with fragility and robustness.
He also discusses strategies like the barbell strategy and optionality, and critiques modern society's attempts to eliminate volatility, which he believes are harmful.
The book is praised for its revolutionary ideas and multidisciplinary approach, though it has also received criticism for its style and some of the author's views on mental health and other topics.
The Denial of Death
Ernest Becker
In 'The Denial of Death', Ernest Becker discusses the psychological and philosophical implications of how people and cultures react to the concept of death.
He argues that human civilization is a defense mechanism against the knowledge of our mortality, and that this denial is a necessary component of functioning in the world.
Becker's work challenges traditional Freudian thought by positing that the primary repression is not sexuality, but rather the awareness of death.
He also explores how this fear of death leads to the creation of 'hero systems' and symbols that help individuals transcend their mortality, and how this can result in violence and conflict when different immortality projects clash.
The Black Swan
The Impact of the Highly Improbable
Nassim Nicholas Taleb
David Chandler
Nassim Taleb
The Black Swan is a landmark book by Nassim Nicholas Taleb that investigates the phenomenon of highly improbable events with massive impacts.
These events, termed Black Swans, are unpredictable, have a significant impact, and are rationalized after the fact to appear less random.
Taleb argues that humans are hardwired to focus on specifics rather than generalities, leading to a failure to consider what we don’t know.
The book delves into cognitive biases, the limitations of mathematical models, and the importance of robustness and antifragility in navigating a world filled with uncertainty.
The second edition includes a new essay, 'On Robustness and Fragility,' offering tools to navigate and exploit a Black Swan world.
Gödel, Escher, Bach
An Eternal Golden Braid
Douglas Hofstadter
This book by Douglas Hofstadter is a comprehensive and interdisciplinary work that explores the interrelated ideas of Kurt Gödel, M.C.
Escher, and Johann Sebastian Bach.
It delves into concepts such as self-reference, recursion, and the limits of formal systems, particularly through Gödel's Incompleteness Theorem.
The book uses dialogues between fictional characters, including Achilles and the Tortoise, to intuitively present complex ideas before they are formally explained.
It covers a wide range of topics including cognitive science, artificial intelligence, number theory, and the philosophy of mind, aiming to understand how consciousness and intelligence emerge from formal systems.
Fooled by randomness
the hidden role of chance in life and in the markets
Nassim Nicholas Taleb
In 'Fooled by Randomness', Nassim Nicholas Taleb discusses the pervasive influence of chance and randomness in our lives and financial markets.
The book argues that humans tend to underestimate the role of luck and overestimate the role of skill, leading to biases such as hindsight bias, survivorship bias, and the narrative fallacy.
Taleb emphasizes the importance of recognizing and coping with uncertainty, and he critiques the tendency to seek deterministic explanations for random events.
The book is part of Taleb's Incerto series, which also includes 'The Black Swan', 'The Bed of Procrustes', 'Antifragile', and 'Skin in the Game'.
Letters from a Stoic
Seneca
Seneca's "Letters from a Stoic" comprises a collection of personal letters offering practical advice on living a virtuous life according to Stoic principles.
Written to Lucilius, a friend and student, the letters cover a wide range of topics, including dealing with adversity, managing emotions, and finding inner peace.
Seneca's writing style is engaging and relatable, making complex philosophical concepts accessible to a wider audience.
The letters offer timeless wisdom on self-improvement and ethical living.
They remain a valuable resource for anyone seeking guidance on navigating life's challenges.
Eat That Frog
Brian Tracy
You're a Badass
Jen Sincero
This Is Not a True Story
This Is Not a True Story
Norm Macdonald
Number Go Up
Zeke Faux
James Patterson's Books
James Patterson's Books
null
James Patterson
James Patterson is a prolific author known for his wide range of genres and high sales volume, often employing ghostwriters to maintain his high publication rate.
Colleen Hoover's Books
Colleen Hoover's Books
null
Colleen Hoover
Colleen Hoover is a highly successful romance novelist known for her emotionally resonant stories and large readership.
The Millionaire Fast Lane
MJ DeMarco
Goethe, Schiller, Bach
Goethe, Schiller, Bach
null
Thomas Mann
A book exploring the lives and works of three influential German figures, combining biographical details with philosophical reflections.
A Biography of Winston Churchill
A Biography of Winston Churchill
Andrew Roberts
Shane Warne's Memoirs
Shane Warne's Memoirs
Shane Warne
Straw Dogs
John Gray
A philosophical work challenging conventional wisdom about human nature, morality, and the relationship between humans and the natural world.
Nat Eliason is an absolute legend.
I’ve been subscribed to his newsletter, following his tweets, and listening to his interviews for what feels like years now.
He’s a prolific online writer who recently published his debut book, a memoir of a crypto side quest he spiralled deep down into which is serves as revelatory for the sheer insanity that is crypto. It’s meme coins, making loads of money, losing it, secret discord servers, exit liquidity and all the rest that foreshadows the same stuff happening now.
Crypto is back in the news, and therefore so is Nat’s book - Crypto Confidential - which is a must read if you want to get a sense for, or contribute to, the mania.
However, writing is Nat’s circulatory system, so we ended up speaking half about books and half about crypto. When you check out the episode, navigate the timestamps if you wanna skip the writing stuff and go straight to crypto.
Before I leave you with Nat, he’s got this tremendous call to action on his Substack that I wanted to share here…
“Among my strongest life goals is to write something worthy of outliving me”
Subscribe To The Curious Worldview Newsletter
00:00 - Who Is Nat Eliason?
01:08 - Serendipitous Anecdote
02:58 - CRYPTO: Crypto Mania
12:23 - Writing
18:05 - AI Helping Writers (Great Metaphor)
24:48 - Great Story Telling Less Great Writing
34:08 - Taleb's Influence
41:08 - Book Publishing Market (VC Metaphor)
1:00:33 - CRYPTO: Crypto From All Sides. Crazy Stories. Current Market, Ideological? The Future.
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