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Ask HN: Life Changing Books?

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Re: Ask HN: Life Changing Books?

#171

Post by PraetorianGourd »

lmolina wrote: post #8

Books that have changed my life: - How to win friends and influence people. Helped me understand the dynamics of relationships in a unon manipulative and empathetic way. - Sapiens. Changed my view on human organizations and religion - the monk who sold his Ferrari - meditations by Marcus Aurelius - the screwtape letters. Letter 15 specifically changed me

There is a lot of debate as to the accuracy and provenance of Meditations. It wasn’t really directly mentioned until the 10th century and it is unknown how true to anything Marcus said our current edition is.

Re: Ask HN: Life Changing Books?

#172

Post by tagoregrtst »

lifeplusplus wrote: post #106

I see more than a couple of books I've read in the comments, but I found them negative ROI on time invested in them, they should have been 20 pages not 300, and I didn't learn anything profound, often they could be summarized as a list of statements. In the end, I feel 99% stuff out there is just time wasting simple ideas rehashed into 300 page stories.

Could you make a list of these books?

I certainly have seen books mentioned I wouldn't even leaf trough, but this comment is particularly strong - and fascinating

Re: Ask HN: Life Changing Books?

#173

Post by bradlys »

stevebmark wrote: post #70
ravenstine wrote: post #52

Here are mine: - "The 48 Laws of Power" by Robert Greene - "The Gift of Fear" by Gavin de Becker - "Left of Bang" by Patrick van Horne and Jason Riley - "Influence" and its follow-up "Pre-suasion" by Robert Cialdini - "Courage is Calling" by Ryan Holiday (yes it was published this year but I found it helpful) - "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie - "No One Ever Told Us That" by John D. Spooner…

48 laws of power, influence, win friends, and to some degree rich dad, when put together in a list, could tell a story about someone. I’m curious in a non-attacking sort of way, do you consider yourself a sociopath, or to have more manipulative tendencies than those around you?

I know people who read these books purely to get some “cultural enrichment” out of them and to understand how other people might think and observe the world.

Personally - I would recommend some of the books as well because they are incredibly prevalent in the American psyche in some form or another.

That is not to say that I endorse their methodologies. After all - win friends is impossible for me because if its basic premise “you must be genuinely interested”. I’m rarely ever genuinely interested in anyone - as most people I meet are pretty terrible individuals. (Maybe that’s just a side effect of living in cutthroat SV)

Re: Ask HN: Life Changing Books?

#174

Post by thejackgoode »

gozzoo wrote: post #164
thejackgoode wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are there other people who think Naval Ravikant has zero original ideas and his real competence is speech?

I'm not sure if he has zero original ideas, but I think his ideas have very narrow scope. There is another thinker which I think is overrated - Balaji Srinivasan. At the same time I'm becomming a big fan of Jordan Peterson - his ideas are much closer to the real life and very relevant.

I was a follower for some time, several years ago. His biblical series are a highlight. I lost him at the “12 rules” book, came to see it as wrapping surface things in fancy confusing language, and I can’t unsee this smoke and mirrors since. He’s a knowledgeable professor and independent thinker, but he has become too big in my opinion.

Re: Ask HN: Life Changing Books?

#175

Post by estaseuropano »

deltaonefour wrote: post #153
stevebmark wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

48 laws of power, influence, win friends, and to some degree rich dad, when put together in a list, could tell a story about someone. I’m curious in a non-attacking sort of way, do you consider yourself a sociopath, or to have more manipulative tendencies than those around you?

Most evil people lack self awareness. It's like asking a prisoner if he's guilty. Most say "no."

Actually it's well established that psychopaths are well aware of their psychopathy and the easiest way to diagnose is to ask someone whether they think they are psychopathic (of course then you follow up to test that thesis..).

Re: Ask HN: Life Changing Books?

#176

Post by sizzle »

jwx48 wrote: post #103

Dune, by Frank Herbert. Bear with me on this. It was a bridge into politics, ecology, religion, and economics, as well as an amazing world-building narrative. It got me interested in philosophy and literature, and the roles they play in creating, describing, or influencing cultures. It is my keystone book.

What did you think of the movie?

Re: Ask HN: Life Changing Books?

#177

Post by hckrnrd »

thejackgoode wrote: post #174
gozzoo wrote: post #164

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not sure if he has zero original ideas, but I think his ideas have very narrow scope. There is another thinker which I think is overrated - Balaji Srinivasan. At the same time I'm becomming a big fan of Jordan Peterson - his ideas are much closer to the real life and very relevant.

I was a follower for some time, several years ago. His biblical series are a highlight. I lost him at the “12 rules” book, came to see it as wrapping surface things in fancy confusing language, and I can’t unsee this smoke and mirrors since. He’s a knowledgeable professor and independent thinker, but he has become too big in my opinion.

At some point Jordan Peterson lost his way. Not sure if was due to his substance abuse issues or what, but he’s no longer relevant.

Re: Ask HN: Life Changing Books?

#178

Post by s0rr0wskill »

jwx48 wrote: post #103

Dune, by Frank Herbert. Bear with me on this. It was a bridge into politics, ecology, religion, and economics, as well as an amazing world-building narrative. It got me interested in philosophy and literature, and the roles they play in creating, describing, or influencing cultures. It is my keystone book.

I've been holding out on reading it, is it really that influential?

Re: Ask HN: Life Changing Books?

#179

Post by tharne »

hckrnrd wrote: post #177
thejackgoode wrote: post #174

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was a follower for some time, several years ago. His biblical series are a highlight. I lost him at the “12 rules” book, came to see it as wrapping surface things in fancy confusing language, and I can’t unsee this smoke and mirrors since. He’s a knowledgeable professor and independent thinker, but he has become too big in my opinion.

At some point Jordan Peterson lost his way. Not sure if was due to his substance abuse issues or what, but he’s no longer relevant.

The fact he's being actively discussed in a thread about books that changed one's life, and your only criticism of the man is an ad hominem, would suggest that he's still very relevant.

Re: Ask HN: Life Changing Books?

#180

Post by lilcorey10 »

franczesko wrote: post #67
lmolina wrote: post #8

Books that have changed my life: - How to win friends and influence people. Helped me understand the dynamics of relationships in a unon manipulative and empathetic way. - Sapiens. Changed my view on human organizations and religion - the monk who sold his Ferrari - meditations by Marcus Aurelius - the screwtape letters. Letter 15 specifically changed me

"How to win friends and influence people" It's a great book, however it creates one problem, when all of the advice is implemented. It makes you a perfect listener, but doesn't mention the imbalance it can cause.

I’m what ways is there an imbalance? Assuming the other party isn’t inept of asking questions there shouldn’t be much of one
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