How to Be a Smarter Reader in the Age of AI - Ep. 30 with Alex Wieckowski

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Aug 14, 2024

In this engaging discussion, Alex Wieckowski, creator of Alex & Books and author of Learn to Love Reading, shares how AI can reignite your passion for literature. He dives into practical strategies for using AI to enhance comprehension of complex works like Siddhartha. Alex also uncovers tips for managing reading priorities effectively and how AI can help craft personalized book recommendations. He delves into the future of reading with innovations like brain-computer interfaces, promising a thrilling evolution in how we interact with books.

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ADVICE

Physical Books vs. E-readers

Choose physical books over e-readers to improve memory retention.
Physical books offer a richer sensory reading experience, aiding recall.

INSIGHT

Improved Memory with Physical Books

Studies suggest that reading physical books improves memory.
Physical books offer spatial context, unlike uniform e-books.

ANECDOTE

AI for Summarizing Books

Alex Wieckowski uses AI to summarize books mentioned in conversations.
This allows him to engage in discussions even with unfamiliar titles.

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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[2][3][5].

$100M Offers

Alex Hormozi

In '$100M Offers', Alex Hormozi provides actionable strategies and tactics for entrepreneurs and sales professionals to create compelling offers that attract high-value customers. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding the target audience's needs, creating a 'Grand Slam Offer' that combines attractive promotions, unmatchable value propositions, premium pricing, and unbeatable guarantees. Hormozi also discusses the value equation, pricing strategies, and how to leverage scarcity and urgency to increase demand and profits. The book is filled with real-life examples and step-by-step processes, making it a practical guide for both new and experienced entrepreneurs[1][3][4].

Siddhartha

Herman Hesse

Herman Hesse's "Siddhartha" is a philosophical novel that follows the spiritual journey of a young man named Siddhartha Gautama. The story explores themes of self-discovery, enlightenment, and the search for meaning beyond material possessions. Siddhartha's experiences with various aspects of life, including sensuality, asceticism, and worldly pursuits, lead him to a deeper understanding of himself and the universe. The novel's evocative prose and profound insights into the human condition have resonated with readers for generations. Hesse's exploration of spiritual awakening and the interconnectedness of all things makes "Siddhartha" a timeless classic.

Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter

50 Cent

In this book, Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson shares his personal journey from tragic personal losses to becoming a thriving businessman and cable's highest-paid executive. He provides unique, cutting-edge lessons and hard-earned advice on how to successfully navigate changes and achieve personal and professional comebacks. The book builds on the message of his previous bestseller, 'The 50th Law,' combining street smarts with corporate savvy to help readers adapt and succeed in their own lives.

Outlive

The Science and Art of Longevity

Peter Attia

Bill Gifford

In this book, Dr. Peter Attia draws on the latest science to deliver innovative nutritional interventions, techniques for optimizing exercise and sleep, and tools for addressing emotional and mental health. The book aims to replace the outdated medical framework with a personalized, proactive strategy for longevity, focusing on creating the best individual plan for long-term health. It covers topics such as the limitations of cholesterol tests, underdiagnosed liver conditions, the importance of exercise, and the integration of overall health with relational health.

Coco Chanel

Justine Piccardi

This Is Not a T-Shirt

Bobby Hundreds

Children of Memory

Adrian Tchaikovsky

Dior by Dior

Christian Dior

In *Dior by Dior*, Christian Dior shares his journey from childhood in Granville to becoming a celebrated fashion designer. The book provides a detailed look at his entry into the fashion world, his inspirations, and the creation of his iconic 'New Look' collection. It offers a unique glimpse into the workings of a great fashion house and the private life of its founder.

Never Enough, From Barista to Billionaire

Andrew Wilkinson

The woman I wanted to be

Diane Von Furstenberg

House of Versace

Deborah Ball

House of Versace is a captivating story that explores the rise of Gianni Versace from obscurity to becoming a fashion icon, his tragic murder, and the subsequent struggles of his sister Donatella as she took control of the House of Versace. The book delves into the challenges Donatella faced, including her drug habit and battles with her brother Santo, while also highlighting the brand's impact on celebrity culture and the fashion industry.

Pragmatism As Anti-Authoritarianism

Robert Brandom

Eduardo Mendieta

Richard Rorty

In 'Pragmatism as Anti-Authoritarianism', Richard Rorty presents his mature philosophical views, equating pragmatism with anti-authoritarianism. He argues that truth cannot be ascertained through non-human authority, instead advocating for intersubjective agreement and the rejection of absolute truths. This work marks a significant development in Rorty's thought, emphasizing the importance of human cooperation and the pursuit of peace, freedom, and happiness.

Alex Wieckowski is on a mission to make you fall in love with reading again—and he thinks AI can help.

Alex, who writes a newsletter that captures lessons from books he’s read and tips to become a better reader, Alex & Books, is a creator with over 1 million followers across social platforms. He’s also the author of a book of quotes that will inspire you to read more, Learn to Love Reading.

We spent an hour talking about how Alex uses AI to be a smarter reader, and we tested out a few strategies live on the show, including:

prompting ChatGPT to recommend books that will help me lead a creator-run business better,
understanding the deeper themes in Hermann Hesse’s novel Siddhartha with large language models, and
using AI to create an actionable strategy for Alex to build a course based on the frameworks in Alex Hormozi’s business strategy book $100M Offers.

Alex clued me into what he’s learned about developing a good reading habit, and his best advice on how to reignite your passion for books. We also discuss Alex’s predictions on how companies like Neuralink, which make use of a brain-computer interface—a technology that allows users to control external devices through brain activity—will change the future of reading and books. Here’s a link to the transcript of this episode.

This is a must-watch for book lovers, people struggling to finish books, and anyone who wants to take their reading to the next level with AI.

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Timestamps:

Introduction: 00:00:34
Choose physical books over e-readers to boost your memory: 00:01:36
Alex’s take on how long books will stay relevant: 00:02:54
Prompt ChatGPT to find your next read: 00:07:40
Articulating Dan’s taste in books with AI: 00:13:50
Use AI to find books tailored to solve your problems: 00:15:46
How to use AI as a personal study buddy: 00:33:32
Prompt LLMs to turn insights from books into actionable strategies: 00:41:19
What Alex’s rule around buying a new book is: 01:02:10
Alex’s advice for anyone who feels like they don’t have time to read: 01:16:36

Links to resources mentioned in the episode:

Alex Wieckowski: https://twitter.com/AlexAndBooks_
Alex’s newsletter: https://alexandbooks.beehiiv.com/
The self-improvement book that got Alex into reading: How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
The books that Dan is reading: Children of Memory by Adrian Tchaikovsky, Pragmatism as Anti-Authoritarianism by Richard Rorty
The books that Alex is reading: Never Enough: From Barista to Billionaire by Andrew Wilkinson, $100M Offers by Alex Hormozi, Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, Outlive by Peter Attia