#647: Mark Manson — The Path to 'The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck,' The Ups (and Downs) of Success, The Craft of Writing, Personal Reinvention, How to Build a Lean Team, Protecting Boundaries, Decompressing with Fiction, and More

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Dec 30, 2022

Mark Manson, a three-time #1 bestselling author known for 'The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck,' shares a candid exploration of success and the emotional aftermath it brings. He discusses the journey from blogging to bestselling author and film adaptation, revealing the challenges of personal expectations. Manson emphasizes the importance of saying no to maintain boundaries and align with true passions. The conversation also dives into health journeys, team dynamics in creative work, and the transformative power of literature.

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ANECDOTE

Unexpected Emptiness

Mark Manson achieved his long-term writing goals unexpectedly quickly after "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck" became a bestseller.
This led to a sense of emptiness and depression, which was difficult to discuss openly due to the perceived nature of his success.

ANECDOTE

Imposter Syndrome and Regrettable Purchases

Manson describes feeling imposter syndrome and uncertainty about his future work after the success of his first book.
He also mentions the common experience of wealthy people making regrettable purchases, using his own oversized house as an example.

INSIGHT

The Allure and Disappointment of Legacy Media

Manson discusses the misconception of mainstream media attention as a marker of success for online writers.
He realized he preferred the direct connection with his blog audience after experiencing the complexities of legacy media.

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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.

The Game

Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists

Neil Strauss

N. Strauss

In 'The Game', Neil Strauss chronicles his transformation from an 'average frustrated chump' (AFC) to a successful pickup artist. The book recounts his experiences living among the seduction community, learning from gurus like Mystery, and adopting the pseudonym 'Style'. Strauss shares numerous seduction techniques, his encounters with celebrities, and the psychological and social dynamics involved in the pickup artist culture. The book also explores the author's eventual realization that these techniques, while effective in picking up women, were not conducive to forming meaningful relationships.

I hope they serve beer in Hell

Tucker Max

This book is a compilation of Tucker Max's blog posts and stories, detailing his experiences during and after his time at Duke Law School. It includes accounts of excessive drinking, run-ins with police, being kicked out of bars, and numerous sexual encounters. The book is known for its raw and unapologetic humor, which has both entertained and offended readers. Max's stories reflect his self-proclaimed status as an 'asshole' and his disregard for conventional social behavior.

Sophie's World

Jostein Gaarder

The book begins with Sophie Amundsen, a 14-year-old Norwegian girl, who starts a correspondence course in philosophy after receiving mysterious letters and packages. She is taught by the philosopher Alberto Knox, who guides her through the history of Western philosophy, from pre-Socratic thinkers to Jean-Paul Sartre. As Sophie delves deeper into philosophy, she uncovers a complex narrative involving another girl, Hilde, and her father, Albert Knag, who is the author of the philosophical manuscript. The story intertwines philosophy with a meta-fictional plot, where Sophie and Alberto eventually escape Knag's imagination and enter a new existence as spirits, interacting weakly with the real world[1][3][5].

This is How You Lose the Time War

Amal El-Mohtar

Max Gladstone

This Is How You Lose the Time War is an epistolary novel that follows agents Red and Blue as they travel through time, altering history on behalf of their warring empires. Despite their initial adversarial relationship, they develop a romantic connection through secret messages. The story explores themes of conflict, love, and resistance, with a poetic and sharp prose style. The book has won several awards, including the Hugo, Nebula, Locus, and British Science Fiction and Fantasy awards[3][4][5].

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.

4000 Weeks

Oliver Burkeman

A book about time management and how to live a more fulfilling life.

Die with Zero

Bill Perkins

Die with Zero presents a provocative philosophy and practical guide on how to get the most out of your money and your life. Bill Perkins argues against over-saving and under-living, advocating for investing in experiences early and maximizing positive life experiences. The book introduces concepts like 'time-bucketing,' 'net worth curve,' and 'fulfillment curve' to help readers optimize their life stages and make the most of their resources. Drawing from his own life experiences and insights from psychological science and behavioral finance, Perkins makes a compelling case for living large and accumulating memorable experiences rather than wealth.

All the Light We Cannot See

Anthony Doerr

The novel tells the story of Marie-Laure LeBlanc, a blind French girl, and Werner Pfennig, a German orphan, whose paths converge in occupied France during World War II. Marie-Laure lives in Paris with her father, a locksmith at the Museum of Natural History, and later flees to Saint-Malo with what might be the museum's most valuable and dangerous jewel. Werner, fascinated by radios and science, is enlisted to track the Resistance. The book explores themes of kindness, greed, love, and perseverance amidst the harsh circumstances of war. Doerr's writing is praised for its vivid descriptions, moral complexity, and the way it illuminates the human spirit during times of great hardship.

A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again

Essays and Arguments

David Foster Wallace

This book is a collection of essays by David Foster Wallace, published in 1997. The title essay, 'A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again,' chronicles Wallace’s experience on a seven-night Caribbean luxury cruise, dissecting the indulgences and the hollow promise of pampering. The collection also includes influential essays such as 'E Unibus Pluram,' which examines television’s impact on contemporary literature and the use of irony in American culture. Wallace’s writing is characterized by his wit, extensive use of footnotes, and profound insights into various aspects of American life and culture.

The last good kiss

James Crumley

The Last Good Kiss is a crime novel by James Crumley, published in 1978. It introduces the character C.W. Sughrue, a Montana investigator, who is hired to track down a derelict writer named Abraham Trahearne. The story evolves into a search for a missing girl, leading Sughrue through a series of violent and humorous encounters across the American West. The novel is praised for its poetic prose and its exploration of themes such as redemption and the struggle with one's past.