Same as Ever — — — Book Review

Feb 18, 2024

Starting from the ending would be a very interesting way, so let’s start the book review by asking ourselves these questions:

1. Who knows correct answers, but because they are not good at words so I ignore them?
2. If born in another country or generation, what aspects would I disagree with the ones I am holding now?
3. Are there any things that simply because I want them to be true, so I fool myself into believing them as true, even though obviously they are false?
4. What kinds of problems do I think will only happen in other countries, industries, or careers, but in the end have an impact on me?
5. What things do I believe are true, but are simply products of a smart marketing strategy?
6. What kind of things have I never experienced and know nothing about how they work, but I just believe it easily?
7. What kind of things looks not long-lasting, but are actually new trends that we just haven’t accepted yet?
8. Are there anyone who I regard as smart, but actually keeps bullshitting?
9. Am I ready to face the risk that I can’t even predict?
10. If incentives changes, what current perspectives of mine will change too?
11. What kind of things are being ignored now, but highly likely being self-evident in the future?
12. What kind of things almost happened, and if it had, it would wholely change my world?
13. How much of my achievements comes from the unknown contribution that I cannot control?
14. How do I know if I am patient or stubborn?
15. Are there anyone that I highly respect having an unknown miserable facade?
16. Are there hassles that I want to avoid, which are essentially part of the success?
17. Are there any crazy geniuses that I regarde as role models, but actually they are merely crazy nuts?
18. What strong believes of mine will likely change?
19. What things are always true?
20. What things are same as ever?

There are not many new ideas in this book, but again, more life lessons that you need to ponder upon, quietly, in a Sunday afternoon.

Is this true? Am I facing the real me? ……?

Sometimes I wonder the author himself is a biologist, because he exampled loads of evolution theories, and historians, of course.

The chapter I found the most soothing, is how all the great men have their weakness. Buffet had his family crisis, so is Bill Gates and Musk…

You just never know. That is the end of the book.

You never know. You can never overestimate risks, but underestimate optimism.