Mark Haddon's "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" is a unique novel narrated by Christopher Boone, a teenager with autism. The story follows Christopher's investigation into the mysterious death of a neighbor's dog, leading him on a journey of self-discovery and challenging societal perceptions of autism. The novel's simple yet powerful language and intricate plot structure create a compelling narrative that explores themes of family, friendship, and the complexities of human relationships. Christopher's perspective offers a fresh and insightful look at the world, highlighting the beauty and challenges of neurodiversity. The book's success lies in its ability to connect with readers on an emotional level, regardless of their familiarity with autism.
Friedrich Hayek's "Individualism and Economic Order" is a collection of essays that explores various aspects of economic theory and the role of individual liberty in a free society. The essays cover topics such as the price system, the role of competition, and the limitations of government intervention. Hayek's work emphasizes the importance of spontaneous order and the decentralized nature of knowledge in economic systems. He argues that free markets are the most efficient way to allocate resources and coordinate economic activity. The book's insights have had a lasting impact on economic thought and policy, influencing debates on free markets, individual liberty, and the role of government.
P.G. Wodehouse was a prolific English humorist and novelist, best known for his Jeeves and Wooster series. His stories are characterized by witty dialogue, eccentric characters, and farcical situations. Wodehouse's writing is known for its lighthearted tone and its ability to evoke laughter through clever wordplay and observational humor. His works often feature upper-class British society, satirizing its foibles and eccentricities. Wodehouse's enduring popularity stems from his ability to create memorable characters and situations that continue to entertain readers across generations.
Alice Munro's "Lives of Girls and Women" is a coming-of-age novel that follows Del Jordan's life from childhood to young adulthood in a small Canadian town. The novel explores themes of family, identity, and the complexities of female experience in a patriarchal society. Munro's masterful storytelling captures the nuances of Del's relationships with her family, friends, and community, highlighting the impact of societal expectations on individual lives. The novel's episodic structure allows for a rich exploration of Del's evolving self-awareness and her journey towards independence. Munro's prose is both lyrical and insightful, capturing the essence of small-town life and the universal struggles of growing up.
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" offers a stark and unforgettable portrayal of life in a Soviet labor camp. Through the eyes of Ivan Denisovich Shukhov, the novel depicts the harsh realities of daily existence under Stalinist oppression. Solzhenitsyn's masterful use of detail creates a vivid and immersive experience, allowing readers to feel the cold, the hunger, and the constant threat of violence. The novel's power lies in its unflinching honesty and its ability to evoke empathy for the suffering of its protagonist. Despite the grim setting, the story also reveals the resilience of the human spirit and the capacity for hope even in the face of unimaginable hardship.
Alice Munro's "Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage" is a collection of short stories that explores the complexities of human relationships across various stages of life. Munro's signature style of precise and evocative language brings to life characters grappling with love, loss, and the challenges of connection. The stories in this collection offer a nuanced and often bittersweet look at the human condition, highlighting the unpredictable nature of relationships and the enduring power of human connection. Munro's ability to capture the subtle shifts in emotion and the complexities of human interaction makes her stories both compelling and deeply moving. The collection's title itself hints at the wide range of relationships explored, from fleeting encounters to lifelong bonds.
Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels" is a satirical masterpiece that uses fantastical journeys to critique human nature and societal flaws. Gulliver's encounters with Lilliputians, Brobdingnagians, and other fantastical creatures serve as allegories for political and social issues of Swift's time. The novel's sharp wit and biting satire continue to resonate with readers today, offering a timeless commentary on human folly and the complexities of power. Gulliver's experiences highlight the absurdity of human conflict and the importance of reason and moderation. The book's enduring popularity stems from its ability to entertain while simultaneously provoking thought and challenging readers' assumptions.
Louis C.K.'s "Louie" is a critically acclaimed television series that blends stand-up comedy with fictional narratives. The show follows the life of Louis, a stand-up comedian navigating the complexities of relationships, family, and his career. Louis C.K.'s unique style of dark humor and observational comedy is on full display, exploring themes of love, loss, and the absurdities of everyday life. The series is known for its raw honesty and its willingness to tackle difficult and uncomfortable topics. "Louie"'s success lies in its ability to connect with audiences on an emotional level, offering a poignant and often hilarious look at the human condition.
Alice Munro's "Runaway" is a collection of short stories that delve into the intricacies of human relationships and the complexities of life's choices. Munro's masterful storytelling weaves together narratives of love, loss, and self-discovery, exploring the impact of past experiences on present lives. The characters in "Runaway" are richly drawn, their motivations and emotions laid bare with unflinching honesty. The stories often feature women grappling with difficult decisions and navigating challenging circumstances, highlighting the resilience and strength of the human spirit. Munro's prose is both elegant and precise, capturing the nuances of human experience with remarkable sensitivity.
The Gulag Archipelago is a three-volume series written by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, exploring the Soviet labour camp system through a mix of historical narrative, personal accounts, and literary investigation. The book traces the history of the Gulag from Vladimir Lenin's decrees to the era of Nikita Khrushchev, detailing the arrest, conviction, transport, and imprisonment of prisoners. It includes Solzhenitsyn's own experiences as a Gulag prisoner and accounts from other inmates, highlighting the brutal conditions, forced labor, and the psychological and physical suffering of the prisoners. The work is a testament to the human spirit's struggle against evil and serves as a comprehensive critique of the Soviet regime's use of terror against its population[2][5][3].
Published in 1776, 'The Wealth of Nations' is Adam Smith's magnum opus that laid the groundwork for modern economics. The book critiques mercantilist economic theories and introduces the concept of the 'invisible hand,' which describes how individual self-interest leads to societal benefit. It emphasizes the division of labor, the accumulation of capital, and the importance of free markets. Smith argues that a nation's wealth is not measured by its gold and silver reserves but by the stream of goods and services it produces. The book also outlines the core functions of government, such as maintaining defense, enforcing civil law, and promoting education, while advocating for limited government intervention in market activities.
Dubliners is a collection of short stories by James Joyce, first published in 1914. The stories are arranged to track the lives of Dubliners from childhood to old age, exploring themes such as the 'paralysis' of Irish society, the desire for escape, and the intersection of life and death. Each story features a different plot and characters but is connected by the theme of epiphany, where characters experience life-changing moments of revelation. The collection is known for its realistic portrayal of Dublin life, highlighting issues such as alcoholism, religious tension, and political concerns of the time[1][3][4].
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[2][4][5].
In this seminal article, Hayek argues that the knowledge necessary for economic decision-making is dispersed among individuals and cannot be centralized. He emphasizes that market prices play a crucial role in disseminating this knowledge, allowing individuals to make rational economic decisions without needing complete information. Hayek critiques central planning, suggesting that it cannot match the efficiency of market mechanisms in utilizing local and specific knowledge held by various members of society.
In this book, Sapolsky delves into the complex interplay of biological processes, including neuroscience, genetics, and hormones, to explain why humans behave in various ways. He examines behavior on multiple time scales, from the immediate neural responses to actions that occur over centuries and millennia. The book addresses topics such as tribalism, xenophobia, hierarchy, competition, morality, and free will, providing a nuanced and multifaceted understanding of human behavior. Sapolsky's approach integrates cutting-edge research across several disciplines to offer insights into the biological basis of human actions, both good and bad.
David Brooks's "How to Know a Person" delves into the complexities of human relationships, exploring how we perceive and understand others. The book emphasizes the importance of empathy, active listening, and self-awareness in building meaningful connections. Brooks challenges readers to move beyond superficial judgments and embrace a deeper understanding of themselves and those around them. He argues that true connection requires vulnerability and a willingness to be seen authentically. Ultimately, the book offers a practical guide to fostering richer, more fulfilling relationships.
It's episode 400, and on this special and unlikely occasion, Shruti Rajagopalan gets Amit Varma to chat about all the life lessons he has learnt during these eight years -- and favourite books, films, music and poetry. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Amit Varma on Twitter, India Uncut, Substack, The Art of Clear Writing, The Seen and the Unseen and Everything is Everything. 2. Shruti Rajagopalan on Twitter, Substack, Instagram and her podcast, Ideas of India. 3. Episodes of The Seen and the Unseen w Shruti Rajagopalan, in reverse chronological order: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. 4. The Hunter Becomes the Hunted -- Episode 200 of The Seen and the Unseen. 5. The Art of Podcasting -- Episode 49 of Everything is Everything. 6. A Meditation on Form -- Amit Varma. 7. Why Are My Episodes So Long? -- Amit Varma. 8. If You Are a Creator, This Is Your Time -- Amit Varma. 9. 'How We Spend Our Days Is How We Spend Our Lives' -- Amit Varma. 10. 'I Play to Play' -- Amit Varma. 11. How We Do the Small Things -- Amit Varma. 12. New York Stories -- The anthology film including Martin Scorcese's Life Lessons. 13. Episodes of The Seen and the Unseen w Pranay Kotasthane, in reverse order: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. 14. Arnold Kling and the Four Languages of Politics -- Episode 394 of The Seen and the Unseen. 15. Dead Poets Society -- Peter Weir. 16. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time -- Mark Haddon. 17. Biju Rao Won’t Bow to Conventional Wisdom -- Episode 392 of The Seen and the Unseen. 18. He Tells Her -- Wendy Cope. 19. Not Waving but Drowning -- Stevie Smith. 20. Runaway -- Alice Munro. 21. Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage -- Alice Munro. 22. The Bear Came Over the Mountain — Alice Munro. 23. Lives of Girls and Women -- Alice Munro. 24. Gulliver's Travels -- Jonathan Swift. 25. How To Know a Person -- David Brooks. 26. Fierce Attachments -- Vivian Gornick. 27. The Odd Woman and the City -- Vivian Gornick. 28. Shephali Bhatt Is Searching for the Incredible -- Episode 391 of The Seen and the Unseen. 29. The Dead — John Huston. 30. Dubliners -- James Joyce. 31. Amit Varma's thread on The Dead. 32. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich -- Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. 33. The Gulag Archipelago -- Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. 34. You Can Always Get There From Here — Mark Strand. 35. Father Returning Home — Dilip Chitre. 36. PG Wodehouse on Wikipedia, Britannica and Amazon. 37. Finding Nemo -- Andrew Stanton. 38. Deepak VS and the Man Behind His Face — Episode 373 of The Seen and the Unseen. 39. Praise for intelligence can undermine children’s motivation and performance — Claudia Mueller and Carol Dweck. 40. Atomic Habits -- James Clear. 41. The City — CP Cavafy. 42. René Girard on Amazon and Wikipedia. 43. Wanting — Luke Burgis. 44. Luke Burgis Sees the Deer at His Window — Episode 337 of The Seen and the Unseen. 45. The Gentle Wisdom of Pratap Bhanu Mehta — Episode 300 of The Seen and the Unseen. 46. My Top 10 Tips for Aspiring YouTubers — Ali Abdaal. 47. Bhargavi Zaveri-Shah Will Not Wear a Blue Tie to Work -- Episode 389 of The Seen and the Unseen. 48. Louie — Louis CK. 49. You’re Missing — Bruce Springsteen. 50. The Blank Slate -- Steven Pinker. 51. Behave -- Robert Sapolsky. 52. Robert Sapolsky’s biology lectures on YouTube. 53. Anatomy of a Fall -- Justine Triet. 54. Anatomy of a Folly -- Amit Varma. 55. The Use of Knowledge in Society — Friedrich Hayek. 56. Four Papers That Changed the World -- Episode 41 of Everything is Everything. 57. Individualism and Economic Order -- Friedrich Hayek. 58. Jeff Bezos on The Lex Fridman Podcast. 59. The Wealth of Nations -- Adam Smith. 60. Trickle-up, not trickle-down -- Swaminathan S Anklesaria Aiyar. 61. “Trickle Down” Theory and “Tax Cuts for the Rich” -- Thomas Sowell. 62. Beware of These Five Fallacies! -- Episode 45 of Everything is Everything. 63. Stay Away From Luxury Beliefs -- Episode 46 of Everything is Everything. 64. This Passing Moment — Amit Varma’s Housefull Economics piece on Opportunity Cost. 65. The Surface Area of Serendipity -- Episode 39 of Everything is Everything. Amit Varma and Ajay Shah have launched a new course called Life Lessons, which aims to be a launchpad towards learning essential life skills all of you need. For more details, and to sign up, click here. Amit and Ajay also bring out a weekly YouTube show, Everything is Everything. Have you watched it yet? You must! And have you read Amit’s newsletter? Subscribe right away to The India Uncut Newsletter! It’s free! Also check out Amit’s online course, The Art of Clear Writing. Episode art: ‘Life is Here’ by Simahina.
The Seen and the Unseen - hosted by Amit Varma 
