Alchemy of Self | 1' - 10' Deep Dives

"Borrow" is a historical analysis of American debt, exploring its evolution from a stigmatized practice to a ubiquitous aspect of daily life. The text traces the changing attitudes toward borrowing, examining its role in various economic eras, including the post-war boom and the 2008 financial crisis. It details the development of different financial instruments, such as balloon mortgages and mortgage-backed securities, a...

"Happy Money" explores how people can spend money to maximize happiness. The authors, Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton, present five principles based on research: buy experiences over material goods, make it a treat, pay now, consume later, buy time, and invest in others. The book examines various spending scenarios, from everyday purchases to major life decisions, demonstrating how altering spending habits can significa...

John Perkins's Hoodwinked examines the 2008 global financial crisis, arguing that it stemmed from a predatory form of capitalism promoted by figures like Milton Friedman. The book details Perkins's past career as an "economic hit man," manipulating Third World countries into debt, and connects this to the U.S.'s economic downfall. Perkins explores the role of deregulation, corporate greed, and the media in exa...

This excerpt from "The Changing World Order" presents a model for understanding the rise and fall of empires, focusing on cyclical patterns in wealth, power, and global order. The author identifies 18 key determinants, including debt cycles, internal and external conflicts, and technological innovation, to explain historical shifts in power dynamics. The analysis examines several historical empires, highlighting the simil...

Edward Chancellor's The Price of Time explores the history of interest rates, arguing that artificially low rates, a recurring theme throughout history, have consistently led to malinvestment, asset bubbles, and, ultimately, economic crises. The book examines various historical episodes, from ancient Mesopotamia to the 2008 financial crisis, demonstrating the detrimental consequences of manipulating interest rates below their n...

The provided text is an excerpt from a book about Daniel Suelo, a man who abandoned the use of money in the early 2000s. The book explores Suelo's life journey, including his upbringing in a religious family, his experiences questioning his faith and sexuality, and his eventual embrace of a moneyless lifestyle. The narrative interweaves Suelo's personal story with philosophical and religious reflections on the nature of wor...

"Unleashing the Ideavirus" is a marketing manifesto advocating for ideavirus marketing, a strategy that focuses on creating "big ideas" that spread organically through targeted groups ("hives") via word-of-mouth amplified by digital tools. The author argues that traditional interruption marketing is ineffective and expensive, while ideavirus marketing leverages "sneezers" (influential individuals) to spread ideas, creating a win-wi...

This collection of text from Principles of Economics by Saifedean Ammous appears grounded in the Austrian school of economics. The author intends to provide a clear and readable explanation of core Austrian economic ideas, contrasting them with mainstream economic thought and emphasizing the importance of individual human action and subjective value. Key concepts explored include time preference, capital, technology, energy as powe...

A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle argues that the key to personal happiness and a better world lies in transcending the ego, which is our self-centered identity, and instead living fully present in the moment, accessing a deeper state of consciousness where we can experience inner peace and fulfillment; the book teaches techniques to recognize and detach from ego-driven thoughts and emotions, allowing individuals to live more authentica...

This excerpt from Timothy Snyder's On Tyranny offers twenty concise lessons drawn from twentieth-century history intended to help readers recognize and resist modern authoritarianism. Snyder uses historical examples of fascism and communism to illustrate potential threats to democratic societies and provides actionable advice for individuals to defend institutions, uphold ethical standards, and remain vigilant against tyranny. The ...

This excerpt from Guy Spier's The Education of a Value Investor recounts his professional journey, beginning with an early, misguided foray into investment banking at the ethically dubious D.H. Blair. He details his transformative experiences, including a life-altering lunch with Warren Buffett, which spurred a profound shift in his approach to investing and life. Spier reflects on his flawed education and how he actively sought to...

Eckhart Tolle's Stillness Speaks is a book of aphorisms and short reflections presented in a style reminiscent of ancient sutras. The text emphasizes the importance of inner stillness and presence as a path to spiritual awakening and the transcendence of the ego. Tolle argues that by focusing on the present moment and accepting what is, readers can overcome suffering and discover their true nature, which he identifies with cons...

This document compiles excerpts from a book exploring the intersection of Buddhist psychology and Western psychotherapy. Several authors discuss integrating Buddhist principles like anatman (no-self) into therapeutic practices, emphasizing the compatibility yet distinct goals of spiritual development and psychological healing. The text also examines the nature of selfhood, contrasting the culturally constructed Western self with th...

Peter Lynch's One Up on Wall Street provides a guide to successful stock investing for the average person. Lynch, a former star fund manager, emphasizes the importance of observing everyday business developments to identify potentially successful companies before professional analysts. The book offers strategies for evaluating companies, including analyzing financial statements and identifying key metrics. It focuses on identif...

This text comprises a collection of transcribed talks by Osho on Tantra. Osho explores the nature of Tantra, emphasizing its focus on individual rebellion and transformation rather than societal or political revolution. He discusses Tantric principles related to sexuality, consciousness, and the seven chakras, arguing that true love and fulfillment stem from inner harmony and awareness. The talks utilize anecdotes, stories, and phi...

This book excerpt details successful trend-following trading strategies, emphasizing risk management and disciplined adherence to pre-established rules. It profiles several traders who achieved substantial profits, even during market crashes, by focusing on objectively verifiable data and ignoring market noise. The authors highlight the importance of systematic approaches, emphasizing that consistent application of rules, rather th...

Howard Marks's Mastering the Market Cycle explores cyclical patterns in investing, emphasizing the importance of understanding market psychology and the interplay of economic and credit cycles. Marks argues against market forecasting, advocating instead for informed decision-making based on recognizing where the market stands within these cycles. He highlights the role of investor behavior, driven by fear and greed, as a crucia...

This excerpt from Ken Honda's Making Peace with Money explores the multifaceted relationship between individuals and their finances. Honda argues that money carries emotional energy, differentiating between "happy money" and "unhappy money" based on the intent behind its exchange. He examines various money "personalities" stemming from childhood experiences and proposes strategies for healing past ...