Reviews and Comments

"The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck" by Mark Manson starts out with a plethora of expletives. Understandably, he has the F-word in the title and needs to fulfill his marketing promise. The book is relatively short and begins with some Stoic wisdom that anyone who has read "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius or "The Enchiridion" might already be familiar with. While not necessarily bad, it can be a good entry point into the topic for someone who finds the previously mentioned books dull.

The second part of the book focuses on values and how pursuing the wrong ones can lead to suffering. I found the anecdote about the musician who later formed Megadeth most insightful: after being thrown out of his band, he vowed to become better than his former colleagues and founded Megadeth. Although he became incredibly popular, he never achieved his goal since he was thrown out of Metallica, leading to a sense of bitterness and unfulfillment.

In the last section, there is a form of redemption arc. Mark Manson, known within the manosphere, has written another book called "Models," in which he shares his personal pickup strategies. Having settled down, he now attempts to reconcile his former lifestyle with his new one. The book still contains several red pill concepts but avoids using terms like frame and alpha, instead explaining the concepts differently.

So, does Manson actually deliver? Yes, indeed. The book offers valuable insights, and if you are unfamiliar with the concept of Stoicism, or as he refers to it, "not giving a f*ck," then it serves as an excellent entry point. For those familiar with the concept, it drives the point home using modern vocabulary.

This book was recommended to me in a conversation about 'Non Violent Communication'. Similar to NVC, it highlights the importance of authentic human interaction. The book critiques the use of Rewards and Punishments, arguing that they destroy the quality and self-fulfillment in work. When Rewards and Punishments are introduced, the task at hand becomes a means to an end, rather than an intrinsically valuable experience. This also holds true for merit pay programs. The best employees don't work for money or rewards; they are intrinsically motivated.

Intrinsic motivation is the key to success, and the book emphasizes the importance of self-determination. While the book focuses primarily on teaching and children, its advice can be applied to any situation.

The core message is to abandon reward and incentive systems and instead structure work in a way that genuinely engages people. Although I was hoping for more business-specific advice, the essence of the book is applicable across all areas of life. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to improve their interpersonal relationships and create a more fulfilling workplace environment.

I picked up Vernor Vinge's Rainbow's End with a sense of excitement, expecting a hard-hitting, technological thrill ride with the kind of Gibson-esque flair that I absolutely adore. And while the novel certainly had its moments of brilliance, it left me with mixed emotions.

From the moment I read about the young-again poet, Robert Gu, I was intrigued by the concept. It seemed like an interesting twist on the usual sci-fi tropes, and I couldn't wait to immerse myself in Gu's journey. However, as I dove further into the novel, it became clear to me that Vinge was combining elements of a coming-of-age story into his futuristic narrative, which didn't quite suit my preferences. I felt a little out of step with these elements, as I'd been hoping for a more hard sci-fi experience.

As I continued reading Rainbow's End, I was initially captivated by the undercurrent of a global conspiracy that promised to elevate the tension and propel the story forward. However, as the plot progressed, that captivating thread seemed to diminish into a human interest narrative, which, although engaging in its own right, wasn't quite what I had expected or what I was looking for in the novel.

Nonetheless, I had to admire Vinge's world-building skills. The author effortlessly pulled me into a rich and imaginative future that felt both foreign and strangely familiar, offering a profound exploration of technology's increasingly pervasive role in our lives. In this aspect, I felt a deep appreciation for the novel.

Regarding the novel's characters, I found interactions and relationships compelling, and they've left me thinking about them even after finishing the book. These detailed character connections may strike a chord with readers who relish human stories in their sci-fi adventures, even if the overarching narrative isn't what they expected.

So, where do I stand with Rainbow's End? I'd say that it's a well-written and creative book that offers some genuinely engrossing reading moments. However, it might not satisfy everyone, especially those who crave a hard-hitting sci-fi experience or a fast-paced conspiracy thriller. In the end, it's an enjoyable read, but for me, it didn't quite hit the mark I was looking for.