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What one book could give me a new, useful superpower?

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Re: What one book could give me a new, useful superpower?

#91

Post by sharmi »

biscarch wrote: post #80
tikhonj wrote: post #72

I would nominate some book on abstract mathematics. The superpower is knowing that advanced math is not completely impossible to follow. After a while, the superpower becomes actually knowing some advanced math. I won't say it's easy, but nothing fun really is. In short: math is not scary! It also really changes how you think and view the world. Lately I've been having some fun with universal algebra, but I think any…

Any suggestions on what books? I've been looking to go further with mathematics.

How about "Concrete Mathematics: A Foundation for Computer Science", by Ronald Graham, Donald Knuth, and Oren Patashnik.

I have not finished it. Just starting out, but seems like an enlightening text.

Re: What one book could give me a new, useful superpower?

#92

Post by stephen »

bennesvig wrote: post #73
kriro wrote: post #34

My candidates (not in order): Getting Things Done (Superpower: Time Management) Bargaining for Advantage (Superpower: Negotiation) The Art of Learning (Superpower: Learning) Telling Lies (Superpower: Facial expressions etc...somewhat of a cheat since you'll probably need to read more on the topic) Economics in One Lesson (Superpower: Understanding the fundamentals of economics...and wandering down the dark,Austrian p…

The Art of Learning is one of the best books I read this year. If you liked that, you'd also probably enjoy The Inner Game of Tennis and Mastery by Robert Greene.

I read The Art of Learning a few years ago, and remember it being basically an autobiography, and not anything like a manual that explains how one could actually attain any sort of super learning.

It's just personal stories that are basically "hey, this guy is awesome at a lot of stuff."

Hm. Well, I do remember how OCD he was about his subjects--reviewing videotapes of himself doing martial arts, studying moves, etc.

So, in that regard, I guess his approach, if you could infer one, was basically getting in his 10,000 hours in 1/4-1/3 of the time of most people.

Please correct me if my recollection is wrong though.

Re: What one book could give me a new, useful superpower?

#93

Post by orangethirty »

kolektiv wrote: post #76
edw519 wrote: post #67

The Ultimate Secret to Getting Absolutely Everything You Want by Mike Hernacki There are many inputs that affect success: intelligence, hard work, work ethic, emotional balance, determination, and even luck. I believe that the single most important of these over which we have the most control is determination. This book is provides a pretty good recipe to cultivate your own determination. I'm even going to tell you t…

I should never comment after a fine and bibulous meal, but... I'm not sure how appealing I find the idea of a society where people thought in that way. Perhaps Bacchus is distracting me from the nuance of that point however.

You are misisng the point by analyzing it from a negative perspective. Read it again but as a positive.

"I am willing to do whatever it takes to get what I want."

Doing whatever it takes means getting a minimum wage job to be able to pay for college. Finish college and work your way into a good starting job. Then working your way up to a good position.

Doing whatever it takes to get what you want is the right attitude to have. Do you want to lose weight? Then run 3 miles 3 times a week. That is a whatever it takes approach. Need to make more money? Get a second job, a side gig selling whatever, or donate blood. Whatever it takes.

Though whatever it takes does not imply illegal or immoral approaches. It just implies that you will not put bullshit excuses to get to where you want to be.

:)

Re: What one book could give me a new, useful superpower?

#94

Post by klipt »

edw519 wrote: post #67

The Ultimate Secret to Getting Absolutely Everything You Want by Mike Hernacki There are many inputs that affect success: intelligence, hard work, work ethic, emotional balance, determination, and even luck. I believe that the single most important of these over which we have the most control is determination. This book is provides a pretty good recipe to cultivate your own determination. I'm even going to tell you t…

But is what I want the same as what I need? Sometimes I worry I'm focusing on the wrong thing.

Re: What one book could give me a new, useful superpower?

#95

Post by orangethirty »

Security Analysis - Teaches how to analyze securities in a manner that you will understand. It opens your eyes to the world of stocks and bonds in way that other book can't. After reading it, you will have the power to pick good investment stocks/bonds. It works. Though its not a get rich quick approach (if you were thinking about that).

Re: What one book could give me a new, useful superpower?

#98

Post by icelancer »

orangethirty wrote: post #93
kolektiv wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I should never comment after a fine and bibulous meal, but... I'm not sure how appealing I find the idea of a society where people thought in that way. Perhaps Bacchus is distracting me from the nuance of that point however.

You are misisng the point by analyzing it from a negative perspective. Read it again but as a positive. "I am willing to do whatever it takes to get what I want." Doing whatever it takes means getting a minimum wage job to be able to pay for college. Finish college and work your way into a good starting job. Then working your way up to a good position. Doing whatever it takes to get what you want is the right attitud…

Perhaps my favorite line from a physical training author is: "I said it was simple. Not easy."

Applies to many things in life.

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