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#432: Books I've Loved — Kevin Kelly

May 13, 2020

Guest

Kevin Kelly

In this captivating discussion, Kevin Kelly, Senior Maverick at Wired, shares his diverse literary loves that have sparked transformative ideas. He dives into 'Open Borders' by Brian Kaplan, revealing how it humorously champions immigration. He also highlights the significance of adaptable building design from 'How Buildings Learn.' Kelly further explores creativity through 'The Innovator's Dilemma' and 'Finite and Infinite Games,' emphasizing the need for both immediate and long-term thinking in innovation. A must-listen for book lovers!

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Open Borders

Open Borders argues for the radical idea of global open borders, benefiting everyone.
It suggests that anyone should live anywhere if they obey local laws.

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INSIGHT

How Buildings Learn

Buildings are constantly repurposed, so design them for adaptability.
How Buildings Learn suggests that structures that last have been modified often.

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INSIGHT

Innovator's Dilemma

The Innovator's Dilemma highlights the tension between short-term improvements and risky innovation.
It's more profitable to improve existing products than to try something new that might fail.

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The Transformative Power of Books: Exploring 'Open Borders'

04:09 • 5min

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The Importance of Adaptable Building Design

09:17 • 2min

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Exploring Innovation and Perspective Through Literature

The Graveyard Book tells the story of Nobody 'Bod' Owens, a young boy who escapes his family's murderer, known as the man Jack, and finds refuge in a graveyard. There, he is adopted and raised by the ghostly residents, Mr. and Mrs. Owens, and protected by the mysterious caretaker Silas. As Bod grows up, he learns supernatural abilities and faces various dangers both within and outside the graveyard. The book follows Bod's adventures and his eventual transition into the world of the living, exploring themes of identity, family, and the intersection of life and death.

Finite and infinite games

James P. Carse

In this book, James P. Carse distinguishes between finite and infinite games. Finite games are instrumental activities with clear rules, boundaries, and winners, such as sports, politics, and wars. Infinite games, on the other hand, are authentic interactions that aim to continue the play, changing rules and boundaries as needed. Carse explores how these concepts apply to various aspects of life, including culture, religion, sexuality, and self-discovery. He argues that finite games offer wealth, status, and power, while infinite games provide something more subtle and grander, such as true freedom and endless possibility. The book offers insights into how approaching life as either a finite or infinite game affects one's choices, satisfaction, and success.

Essentialism

The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

Greg McKeown

In 'Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less,' Greg McKeown argues that by applying a more selective criteria for what is essential, individuals can regain control of their time and energy. The book is divided into sections such as Explore, Eliminate, and Execute, providing practical advice on distinguishing the vital few from the trivial many and eliminating non-essential activities. McKeown emphasizes the importance of clarity of focus, the ability to say 'no,' and living 'by design, not by default. ' This approach helps readers achieve more by doing less and making the highest possible contribution in their personal and professional lives.

The Innovator's Dilemma

When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail

Clayton M. Christensen

In this influential business book, Clayton Christensen shows how even the most outstanding companies can lose market leadership when they fail to adapt to disruptive innovations. Christensen explains why companies often miss new waves of innovation and provides a set of rules for capitalizing on disruptive technologies. The book uses examples from various industries, including the disk drive, mechanical excavator, steel, and computer industries, to illustrate trends that lead to success or failure in the face of disruptive technologies.

Open Borders

Bryan Caplan

Kelly & Zach Weinersmith

In 'Open Borders: The Science and Ethics of Immigration', Bryan Caplan and Zach Weinersmith make a compelling case for open borders, suggesting that unrestricted immigration could eliminate absolute poverty worldwide and boost the global economy. The book addresses common criticisms of immigration and presents its arguments in a clear and engaging graphic format.

The Tao of Seneca

Practical Letters from a Stoic Master

Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca)

This book is a compilation of Seneca's letters, known as the *Epistulae Morales* (Moral Epistles), which provide practical advice on Stoic principles. It covers topics such as the importance of living in accordance with nature, the dangers of external influences on happiness, the value of self-control, and the pursuit of virtue. Seneca's writings emphasize the need to focus on inner strength, endurance, and the cultivation of a sound mind, rather than seeking happiness through external goods like fame and riches.

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.

#432: Books I've Loved — Kevin Kelly | Brought to you by Audible.

Welcome to another episode of The Tim Ferriss Show, where it is my job to sit down with world-class performers of all different types—from startup founders and investors to chess champions to Olympic athletes. This episode, however, is an experiment and part of a shorter series I’m doing called “Books I’ve Loved.” I’ve invited some amazing past guests, close friends, and new faces to share their favorite books—the books that have influenced them, changed them, and transformed them for the better. I hope you pick up one or two new mentors—in the form of books—from this new series and apply the lessons in your own life.

Kevin Kelly (@kevin2kelly) might be the real-life most interesting man in the world. Kevin is Senior Maverick at Wired magazine. He co-founded Wired in 1993, and served as its executive editor for its first seven years. His most recent book is The Inevitable, which is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller. His other books include the best-selling New Rules for the New Economy, the classic Out of Control, and his summary theory of technology in What Technology Wants. From 1984–1990 Kelly was publisher and editor of the Whole Earth Catalog. He co-founded the Hackers’ Conference, and was involved with the launch of the WELL, a pioneering online service started in 1985. He also founded the popular Cool Tools website in 2003.

Recomendo is his free, weekly newsletter that gives you six brief personal recommendations of cool stuff.

Note from the editor: This episode was recorded in late 2019.

“Books I’ve Loved” on The Tim Ferriss Show is brought to you by Audible! I have used Audible for many years now. I love it. Audible has the largest selection of audiobooks on the planet. I listen when I’m taking walks, I listen while I’m cooking… I listen whenever I can. Audible is offering Tim Ferriss Show listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership. Just go to Audible.com/tim and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs. Then, download your free title and start listening! It’s that easy. Simply go to Audible.com/tim or text TIM to 500500 to get started today.

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