Filling the Gap: Reading

What have I been doing this last month? Making life changing decisions! Well, somewhat.

I read several books which changed my initial planning of finding a job and probably living the deferred lifestyle (as in work 20-30 years before retiring). I decided to test my own abilities and see where I can take myself. So, what books are so powerfully inspirational?

The Black Swan: The Impact of Highly Improbable by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
This book was actually kind of difficult to understand, parts of it at least. In it, the author discuss the unpredictability of the world and how the fact that we think it is more predictable than it really is leaves us rather vulnerable. Sometimes, things just really amount to luck for the fortunate few. The fact that a trend exists for 1000 days really speaks nothing of what will happen on day 1001. It is important to recognize this trait of the world and have a little doubt sometimes instead of blindly follow all these so called expert predictions.

China Road: A Journey into the Future of a Rising Power by Rob Gifford
The book is a story of the author’s journey across China from Shanghai all the way to the border of Kazakhstan on Route 312. The author is a journalist who’s had been stationed in China for 6 years. Before he transfer back to Europe, he took the trip and explored the various regions of China. It’s quite a fascinating book. The author incorporated some historical background, from WWII invasions to cultural revolution to opening up trade, throughout the book. Despite being ethnically Chinese, the politics, religion, people, economy are all things that I have very little knowledge of. China will be a large influence to the world in the future. I think it’s beneficial to get to know it a bit more.

The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss
This is the book that convinced me to change my mind. It was kind of an eye-opener. I am not particularly trying to achieve a 4-hour workweek nor wanting to live everywhere but it gave me ideas in going for a lifestyle that I will enjoy. Throughout my university’s workterms / internships, I never really felt working was all that enjoyable. I was doing them because I had to for school. I dislike being bound to an office, restricted by working hours, and limited by the inefficiency of these workplaces. So, I’ve made up my mind. Screw finding a job. Take a little risk. I’ll try and start something on my own.

The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century by Thomas L. Friedman
I haven’t completed this book but the gist of it is more or less presented already. The world’s playground is being flatten as telecommunications network advances throughout the globe. Globalization is not longer just between nations and multi-national organizations. It has trickle down to the individuals. It is important to recognize this and use it to our advantage. The book actually presents some rather interesting examples. It mentions that in order to reduce the repair time for laptops, UPS has certified Toshiba technicians who service the broken laptops UPS picks up. Once it’s fixed, the laptop is sent back to the user. It doesn’t ever get to Japan or any Toshiba employee. I thought that was very interesting.

Posted in Entertainment
Tagged as book