The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish #35 Robert Greene: Alive Time vs. Dead Time
In this conversation with Robert Greene, the author of five New York Times bestsellers, he discusses the timeless appeal of his first book, 'The 48 Laws of Power.' He introduces the concepts of 'alive time' and 'dead time,' advocating for a life filled with meaningful experiences. Greene reveals the essential skill that determines success and shares his unique research methods, including his note card system. He emphasizes the importance of disciplined writing routines and the power of brevity in communication, stressing how to optimize personal growth.
01:20:40
48 Laws of Power's Slow Burn
- Robert Greene's 48 Laws of Power initially sold well, boosted by press coverage.
- It spread organically through diverse groups like rappers and Wall Street professionals, leading to steady, long-term sales.
Timeless Power
- Robert Greene's 48 Laws of Power achieved longevity due to its timeless nature, drawing from diverse historical and cultural examples.
- Its raw, honest portrayal of power dynamics also resonated with readers.
Subtle Changes
- Writing 48 Laws of Power subtly changed Robert Greene's life by bringing attention and success.
- Consulting with powerful figures in various fields further enriched his understanding of power dynamics.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
The Timeless Appeal of Power Dynamics
01:55 • 4min
Exploring Human Nature Through Writing
06:01 • 25min
Applying Historical Strategies to Modern Life
30:59 • 4min
Writing and Wellness: A Productive Routine
34:57 • 6min
Embracing Distractions and Self-Discovery
40:53 • 20min
The Power of Brevity and Strategic Thinking
01:01:04 • 16min
Mastery
Robert Greene
In 'Mastery', Robert Greene argues that mastery is not an innate talent but a skill that can be developed through a rigorous process.
The book outlines several key stages: finding your life's task, undergoing an ideal apprenticeship, finding the right mentor, acquiring social intelligence, and fusing intuitive with rational thinking.
Greene draws on the lives of historical and contemporary masters such as Mozart, Einstein, and Temple Grandin to illustrate his points.
He emphasizes the importance of deep practice, self-directed learning, and the ability to read and navigate social dynamics.
The book challenges the conventional notion of genius as a genetic gift and offers practical steps for anyone to achieve mastery in their chosen field.
Steve Jobs
Walter Isaacson
This biography, based on more than 40 interviews with Steve Jobs and over 100 interviews with family members, friends, adversaries, competitors, and colleagues, provides a riveting story of Jobs' roller-coaster life and intense personality.
It highlights his passion for perfection, his ferocious drive, and how he revolutionized six industries: personal computers, animated movies, music, phones, tablet computing, and digital publishing.
The book explores Jobs' contradictions, his 'reality distortion field,' and the lessons about innovation, character, leadership, and values that can be drawn from his life and career.
The 33 Strategies of War
Don Leslie
Robert Greene
This book is a contemporary companion to Sun-tzu's 'The Art of War'.
It synthesizes strategies from various political, philosophical, and religious texts across world civilizations and thousands of years of conflict.
Each chapter outlines an approach to help readers win their life's wars, using illustrative examples from history, such as Lyndon Johnson, Julius Caesar, and Margaret Thatcher.
The book provides psychological ammunition to overcome patterns of failure and gain the upper hand in various situations.
Outliers
The Story of Success
Malcolm Gladwell
In 'Outliers: The Story of Success', Malcolm Gladwell examines the often-overlooked factors that contribute to high levels of success.
He argues that success is not solely the result of individual talent or hard work, but rather is influenced by a complex web of advantages and inheritances, including cultural background, family, generation, and luck.
The book delves into various examples, such as the success of Bill Gates, the Beatles, and Canadian ice hockey players, to illustrate how these factors play a crucial role.
Gladwell also discusses the '10,000-hour rule' and the impact of cultural legacies on behavior and success.
The book is divided into two parts: 'Opportunity' and 'Legacy', each exploring different aspects of how success is achieved and maintained.
Titan
The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr.
Ron Chernow
This biography by Ron Chernow provides an in-depth look at John D. Rockefeller, Sr., the founder of Standard Oil and one of the most influential figures in American history.
Drawing on unprecedented access to Rockefeller’s private papers, Chernow reconstructs Rockefeller’s troubled origins, his single-minded pursuit of wealth, and his profound religiosity.
The book also delves into Rockefeller’s philanthropic efforts, including his generous donations to the Rockefeller Foundation, the University of Chicago, and Rockefeller University.
Chernow’s narrative synthesizes Rockefeller’s public and private lives, revealing a complex and multifaceted individual who was both a ruthless businessman and a devoted philanthropist.
The book captures a pivotal moment in American history, documenting the post-Civil War shift from small businesses to giant corporations and featuring cameos by notable figures such as Ida Tarbell, Andrew Carnegie, and J.P.
Morgan.
The Laws of Human Nature
Robert Greene
In 'The Laws of Human Nature,' Robert Greene delves into the complexities of human behavior, identifying 18 laws that govern our actions and motivations.
Drawing from historical figures such as Pericles, Queen Elizabeth I, and Martin Luther King Jr., Greene provides insights into how to detach from emotions, master self-control, develop empathy, and see beyond people's masks.
The book is designed to help readers become better judges of character, manage their thought patterns, and influence others more effectively.
It emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and understanding one's own flaws to make better decisions in personal and professional life[2][3][4].
Guns, germs, and steel
The Fates of Human Societies
Fabián Chueca
Jared DIAMOND
(MEI )DAI MENG DE (Diamond J. ) XIE YAN GUANG YI
In this book, Jared Diamond explains why Eurasian and North African civilizations have survived and conquered others.
He argues that differences in societal development arise primarily from geographical causes.
The book details how agricultural societies developed immunities to deadly diseases, advanced in technology, and formed centralized political structures, ultimately leading to the conquest of other societies.
Diamond also discusses the impact of germs, domesticated animals, and environmental factors on human history[2][4][5].
The 48 laws of power
Robert Greene
In 'The 48 Laws of Power', Robert Greene and Joost Elffers synthesize three thousand years of the history of power into 48 laws.
These laws are derived from the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, and Carl Von Clausewitz, as well as the lives of influential figures such as Henry Kissinger and P.T.
Barnum.
The book provides tactics, concepts, and lessons on how to achieve and maintain power, emphasizing prudence, confidence, and self-preservation.
Each law is illustrated with historical examples and is designed to help readers understand and navigate the dynamics of power in various aspects of life, including work, social hierarchies, and politics.
Parting the Waters
America in the King years 1954-63
Taylor Branch
Parting the Waters chronicles the struggle for racial equality in America from the twilight of the Eisenhower years through King’s fiery political baptism, the ascension of John F. Kennedy, and the dawning of the New South.
The book covers significant events such as the Montgomery bus boycott, the Freedom Rides, the Birmingham campaign, and the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
It provides a vivid, panoramic portrait of America during this transformative period, highlighting the roles of key figures including Martin Luther King Jr., the Kennedy brothers, and J. Edgar Hoover.
The obstacle is the way
Ryan Holiday
In 'The Obstacle Is the Way', Ryan Holiday presents a framework for turning obstacles into successes.
Drawing from the philosophy of Stoicism and the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Holiday outlines three disciplines: perception, action, and will.
He illustrates these principles with historical anecdotes from figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Ulysses S. Grant, and Steve Jobs.
The book emphasizes the importance of perception in shaping one's response to obstacles, the need for intentional and creative action, and the cultivation of will to persist through challenges.
Holiday argues that by adopting these Stoic principles, individuals can transform their obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.
Master of the Senate
Robert A. Caro
Master of the Senate is the third volume in Robert Caro's biography series, The Years of Lyndon Johnson.
The book focuses on Johnson's rapid ascent in the U.S.
Congress, especially his time as Senate majority leader from 1949 to 1960.
It explores how Johnson transformed the Senate through his political acumen, manipulating Senate rules, building coalitions, and securing legislative victories.
The book also delves into Johnson's battle to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1957, his relationships with other senators, and his strategies for maintaining power within the Senate.
It provides a comprehensive look at how legislative power works in America and Johnson's role in shaping the Senate into a more effective legislative body.
Frames of mind
The Theory of Multiple Intelligences
Howard Gardner
In 'Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences,' Howard Gardner argues against the traditional view of intelligence as a uniform, static quality.
Instead, he proposes that there are several distinct types of intelligence, including linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic.
Gardner's theory broadens the definition of intelligence and highlights the various ways in which humans can exhibit intelligent behavior, beyond the conventional measures of 'book smarts.
' The book is a celebration of the diverse ways human beings can be intelligent and has had a significant impact on educational practices and the understanding of human potential.
Mademoiselle
Coco Chanel and the Pulse of History
Rhonda K. Garelick
This book delves into Coco Chanel's life, from her humble beginnings to her rise as a fashion icon.
It explores how her understanding of social realities and cultural currents contributed to her success and enduring influence.
The biography also examines her controversial personal life and political involvements.
Richard Nixon : the life
John A. Farrell
John A. Farrell's *Richard Nixon: The Life* is a meticulously researched biography that delves into Nixon's transformation from an idealistic politician to a figure of controversy.
The book covers his significant political achievements, such as opening relations with China, and his role in divisive policies like the Southern Strategy.
It also examines the Watergate scandal that led to his resignation.
Farrell's work offers fresh insights into Nixon's political career and legacy.
War before civilization
Lawrence H. Keeley
In 'War Before Civilization', Lawrence H. Keeley challenges the notion that prehistoric societies were peaceful, presenting evidence of frequent and deadly warfare in ancient cultures.
He argues that such violence was not introduced by civilization but was a common feature of human societies throughout history.
Keeley's work draws on archaeological findings and historical accounts to illustrate the intensity and frequency of prehistoric warfare.
Lucrezia Borgia
Maria BELLONCI
Questo libro, pubblicato nel 1939 e vincitore del Premio Viareggio e del Premio Galante nel 1953, offre una visione approfondita della vita di Lucrezia Borgia, smontando i miti negativi che l'hanno circondata.
Bellonci, attraverso un'accurata ricerca storica, dipinge Lucrezia come una donna intrappolata nelle dinamiche politiche della sua famiglia, ma anche come un'amante delle arti e della vita.
La biografia è un affresco completo dell'epoca rinascimentale italiana.
In this episode of The Knowledge Project, I have the brilliant Robert Greene. Robert is the
author of 5 New York Times bestsellers, including The 48 Laws of Power and The 33 Strategies of War. He's also written on mastery and seduction.
Robert’s books have been somewhat controversial over the years and have been called amoral, cunning, and even ruthless for what they reveal. Yet millions of readers, from mid-level managers to hip-hop royalty and corporate executives have revered his work as a sort of canonized scripture for the ambitious.
In this conversation, we cover a lot of ground, including:
- Why Robert believes his first book, 48 Laws of Power has continued to sell steadily for over two decades.
- What Robert calls “alive time” and “dead time” and how we can optimize each day to be filled with “alive time” and live the life we’re proud of
- The one skill that determines how far you’ll get in life, no matter how talented you are in anything else
- Robert’s research method and how he finds such unique and interesting examples
- What Robert looks for when he reads, and what qualities separate good books from excellent books
- How Robert developed his famous note card system to extract the meat out of anything he reads
- Why Robert insists on writing all his notes longhand even though it’s less convenient and less accessible than taking notes digitally
- What Robert’s daily routine looks like, particularly when he’s writing and researching for a new book
- What Robert considers to be the single greatest power any human has, and what we can do to strengthen it
- How having unfettered access to information is actually making us dumber in very important ways and what we can do about it
- How to fine tune your “bullshit detector” so you’re able to tell the difference between pretenders and performers. (As a bonus, Robert shares a few ways you can improve your bullshitting skills when it becomes necessary)
And a lot more.
Plus, Robert gives us a sneak peek into his newest project, The Laws of Human Nature, which explores the hidden motivations that drive what we do and say.
This interview is packed to the brim with interesting and actionable insights that I think you’re going to love. Grab a pen, a notebook, and a glass of wine and enjoy!
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