In 'How to Live', Derek Sivers presents a collection of 27 independent chapters, each offering a different philosophy on how to live. These chapters often contradict each other, arguing for various approaches such as being completely independent, committing to one career or person, being fully present, or delaying gratification. The book is designed for reflection as much as instruction, providing actionable directives without quoting philosophers or naming specific ideologies. It invites readers to consider multiple perspectives and find their own way, emphasizing that there is no one right way to live life.
Shantaram is a novel based on the life of the author, Gregory David Roberts. The story follows Lindsay 'Lin' Ford, an Australian bank robber and heroin addict who escapes from prison and flees to India. In Bombay, Lin immerses himself in the city's underworld, befriending a local guide named Prabaker and becoming involved in various activities including setting up a free health clinic in the slums, working with the mafia, and experiencing the diverse and vibrant culture of India. The novel is a rich tapestry of emotions, exploring themes of friendship, loyalty, and the human condition, and is known for its vivid portrayal of life in Bombay in the 1980s.
In 'Anything You Want,' Derek Sivers shares 40 powerful lessons learned from his experience of accidentally starting and growing CD Baby into a successful business. The book emphasizes the importance of creating a business that is a 'utopia' or perfect world, where the focus is on making dreams come true for both the entrepreneur and the customers. Sivers stresses that business is not just about money but about helping people and making them happy. He also highlights the advantages of starting with no money, the irrelevance of traditional business plans, and the importance of prioritizing customer needs over personal gain. The book includes memorable stories of his mistakes and successes, including his interactions with Steve Jobs and the impact of his decisions on his business.
This book by Derek Sivers is a collection of short, concise chapters offering practical wisdom on decision-making, prioritization, and living a fulfilling life. The central philosophy is that one should only commit to things that elicit a 'hell yeah' response, and say 'no' to everything else. This approach helps in avoiding burnout and ensuring time and energy are dedicated to the most important and exciting activities. The book covers themes such as what’s worth doing, fixing faulty thinking, and making things happen, providing numerous mental models and life lessons to apply in daily life.
In 'Useful Not True', Derek Sivers challenges readers to question their beliefs and adopt thoughts based on their usefulness rather than their inherent truth. The book emphasizes the power of reframing perspectives, recognizing that most statements are subjective rather than objective facts. Sivers argues that beliefs and meanings are tools that should serve us, helping us to take effective actions and navigate life more effectively. He encourages readers to separate events from their interpretations, question their thoughts and memories, and choose beliefs that lead to positive outcomes. The book is known for its concise and empowering approach, using practical examples and stories to illustrate its points[2][3][5].
In 'Vagabonding', Rolf Potts provides a comprehensive handbook for long-term world travel. The book is not just about travel but an outlook on life, encouraging readers to use the prosperity and possibilities of the information age to increase personal options rather than possessions. It covers practical advice on financing travel, determining destinations, adjusting to life on the road, handling travel adversity, and re-assimilating back into ordinary life. Potts emphasizes the importance of an independent spirit, simplicity, and a friendly interest in people, places, and things, making the reader an explorer in the truest sense of the word[1][3][4].
This memoir recounts the journey of Fred Waitzkin and his son Joshua into the world of chess. Inspired by the historic Fischer-Spassky championship match, Waitzkin's son Josh begins playing chess at six and quickly becomes a prodigy. The book explores their travels, tournaments, and the impact on their relationship, as well as the broader world of chess and the enigmatic figure of Bobby Fischer. It delves into the pressures and challenges faced by Josh and the ethical dilemmas of parenting a prodigy, making it a story about fathers, sons, and the complexities of ambition and love[1][4][5].
Vanishing Asia is a comprehensive and visually stunning 3-volume set of oversized books that document the rapidly disappearing traditions, costumes, architecture, festivals, and lifestyles of Asia. Over 49 years, Kevin Kelly traveled to the most remote places in 35 Asian countries, capturing 9,000 images on 1,000 uniquely designed pages. The set covers West, Central, and East Asia, showcasing the diverse cultures from Turkey to Japan and from Siberia to Indonesia. This work is an ambitious passion project that highlights the beauty and complexity of Asian cultures as they face the challenges of modernization.
Kevin Kelly's '1000 True Fans' challenges the conventional wisdom of needing millions of customers for success. Kelly argues that a creator or business can thrive by cultivating a dedicated following of just 1000 true fans who deeply appreciate their work and are willing to pay for it. The book emphasizes the importance of direct connection with fans and building a loyal community. It provides a practical framework for identifying and engaging with true fans, regardless of the field. This approach allows for sustainable growth and creative freedom.
In 'The Inevitable,' Kevin Kelly outlines twelve technological forces that will significantly impact how we work, learn, and communicate over the next thirty years. These forces include becoming, cognifying, flowing, screening, accessing, sharing, filtering, remixing, interacting, tracking, questioning, and beginning. Kelly argues that understanding and embracing these forces will help individuals and businesses navigate the coming changes effectively. The book is praised for its optimistic and insightful view of the future, although some critics note that it lacks a detailed discussion of the potential downsides of these technological advancements.
Published in 1854, 'Walden; Or, Life in the Woods' is a series of 18 essays that reflect Thoreau's experiences living in a small cabin near Walden Pond from July 1845 to September 1847. The book is a personal declaration of independence, a social experiment, and a voyage of spiritual discovery. Thoreau details his life in the woods, discussing the construction of his cabin, his daily activities, and his philosophical reflections on economy, social relations, and the importance of living in harmony with nature. The work is considered a cornerstone of American literature and a foundational text in the Transcendentalist movement, emphasizing the benefits of a simplified lifestyle and the importance of individual freedom and self-reliance[2][4][5].
Excellent Advice for Living is a compilation of Kevin Kelly's life wisdom, initially written for his young adult children on his 68th birthday. The book features 450 aphorisms that cover a wide range of topics, from setting ambitious goals and optimizing generosity to cultivating compassion and practical advice on career, relationships, parenting, and finances. Kelly's advice is designed to be accessible and applicable to all ages, emphasizing the importance of kindness, decency, and generosity of spirit. The book is praised for its straightforward and memorable guidance, making it an ideal companion for anyone seeking to navigate life with grace and creativity.
In this book, Kevin Kelly presents a sweeping vision of technology as a living force that is an extension of biological evolution. He introduces the concept of the 'technium,' a global, massively interconnected system of technology that evolves based on its own inherent desires and instincts. Kelly argues that technology is not just a tool but a self-evolving entity that gives our lives greater meaning. He outlines a dozen trajectories for technology in the coming decades and emphasizes the importance of aligning ourselves with technology's agenda to capture its colossal potential. The book is both visionary and optimistic, exploring how technology can expand our individual potential and drive progress in society[1][3][4].
In 'The 4-Hour Body,' Tim Ferriss shares the results of over a decade of self-experimentation and research, involving hundreds of elite athletes, dozens of MDs, and thousands of hours of personal testing. The book covers more than 50 topics, including how to lose weight quickly, gain muscle without steroids, sleep less and perform better, and improve sexual health. Ferriss emphasizes the importance of finding the smallest changes that produce the biggest results, making it accessible for readers to achieve significant improvements in their physical health and performance.
In this book, Cal Newport challenges the conventional wisdom that following one's passion is the key to career happiness. Instead, he argues that passion often follows mastery and that developing valuable skills and expertise is essential for creating work you love. Newport presents four rules: Don't follow your passion, Be so good they can't ignore you, Turn down a promotion, and Think small, act big. He supports his arguments with case studies from various professionals who have found satisfaction in their careers through hard work and skill development.
Cool Tools by Kevin Kelly is a highly curated selection of over 1,500 tools, including hand tools, maps, software, and specialized devices. The book offers valuable recommendations for individuals and small groups looking to enhance their productivity and creativity. It covers a wide range of tools, from practical gadgets to innovative technologies, and emphasizes the importance of community and emerging technologies in tool development.
This episode is a two-for-one, and that’s because the podcast recently hit its 10-year anniversary and passed one billion downloads. To celebrate, I’ve curated some of the best of the best—some of my favorites—from more than 700 episodes over the last decade. I could not be more excited. The episode features segments from episode "Derek Sivers on Developing Confidence, Finding Happiness, and Saying No to Millions" and "Interview of Kevin Kelly, Co-Founder of WIRED, Polymath, Most Interesting Man In The World?"
Please enjoy!
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Timestamps:
[00:00] Start
[05:47] Notes about this supercombo format.
[06:50] Enter Derek Sivers.
[07:20] From pig show busker to circus ringleader.
[10:42] Derek's framework for developing confidence.
[13:05] "The standard pace is for chumps."
[18:51] Relaxing for the same result.
[24:01] The origins of "HELL YEAH! or no."
[26:25] "Busy" implies a life out of control.
[28:03] What inspired the automation of CD Baby?
[33:22] Derek's billboard.
[34:32] Good advice at any age: "Don't be a donkey."
[40:24] Enter Kevin Kelly.
[41:02] Kevin's biggest regret.
[43:13] Finding contentment in minimalism and "voluntary simplicity" without starving to death.
[50:33] Kevin's epiphany when he embraced writing as a late bloomer.
[56:40] Why Kevin promised himself he would never resort to teaching English while traveling abroad.
[59:07] Finding purpose through resilience and the creator's dilemma.
[1:06:50] Why the appeal of being a billionaire is overrated.
[1:11:05] Middle-aged optimization.
[1:15:28] Realizations following a "six months until death" challenge.
[1:20:08] Kevin's Kickstarter-funded project linking angels and robots.
[1:22:41] Why a self-proclaimed ex-hippie waited until his 50th birthday to try LSD for the first time.
[1:28:43] Why a population implosion is probable in the next 100 years.
[1:36:05] The greatest gift you can give to your child.
[1:38:21] The criteria for Amish technology assimilation.
[1:45:03] What technology-free sabbaticals can do for you.
[1:48:53] Long Now Foundation's vision of a better civilization.
[1:53:33] The graphic novel teaching young people how to become indispensable.
[1:54:52] An antidote to misguided "follow your passion" advice.
[1:56:44] Kevin's favorite fiction book.
[1:59:15] The resource Kevin compiled for documentary lovers.
[2:02:47] A name Kevin considers synonymous with "success" (and why success is overrated).
[2:05:46] What Kevin would change about himself.
[2:07:59] Daily rituals.
[2:10:44] How Kevin accumulated enough books to fill a two-story library.
[2:15:19] How Adam Savage from MythBusters transformed Kevin's method of organization.
[2:17:14] The project everyone should undertake at least once in life.
[2:19:30] Does discovery equal invention?
[2:20:12] Kevin's advice to his younger self.
[2:23:16] Parting thoughts.
*
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Past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, Margaret Atwood, Mark Zuckerberg, Peter Thiel, Dr. Gabor Maté, Anne Lamott, Sarah Silverman, Dr. Andrew Huberman, and many more.
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