AJ Jacobs on the Enduring Power of Puzzles and Memento Mori

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May 14, 2022

AJ Jacobs, an American journalist and author known for his immersive lifestyle experiments, dives into the fascinating world of puzzles in his latest conversation. He connects puzzle-solving to personal growth and curiosity, sharing humorous anecdotes that highlight its appeal. The discussion also explores the Stoic concept of Memento Mori, emphasizing how accepting imperfection can enrich our perspective on life. Jacobs invites listeners to see challenges as 'cooperative puzzles,' encouraging a mindset of curiosity over conflict.

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ADVICE

Broaden Your Puzzle Perspective

Consider puzzles beyond traditional games, like life, relationships, or even podcasts.
Explore various puzzle types to discover one that suits your interests and strengths.

INSIGHT

The Joy of Puzzles

Puzzles offer diverse benefits, from mindfulness and relaxation to flexible thinking.
Embracing uncertainty and experimentation are key aspects of puzzle-solving.

ANECDOTE

Minecraft as a Puzzle

Ryan Holiday's son uses YouTube videos to solve Minecraft puzzles, turning screen time into learning.
This sparked learning opportunities like spelling and phonics.

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Ryan talks to A.J. Jacobs about his new book The Puzzler: One Man's Quest to Solve the Most Baffling Puzzles Ever, from Crosswords to Jigsaws to the Meaning of Life, the enduring power of puzzles, the Stoic concept of Memento Mori, and more.

A.J. Jacobs is an American journalist, author, and lecturer best known for writing about his lifestyle experiments. He is a self-proclaimed “human guinea pig” and avid nightly crossworder. He has written four New York Times bestsellers that combine memoir, science, humor and a dash of self-help. AJ is also editor at large at Esquire magazine, a commentator on NPR and a columnist for Mental Floss magazine. His first book is called The Know-It-All: One Man’s Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World (Simon & Schuster, 2004). The memoir — which spent two months on the New York Times bestseller list — chronicles the 18 months Jacobs spent reading the entire Encyclopedia Britannica in a quest to learn everything in the world.

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