I started following Epstein’s work after watching his fantastic 2014 TED talk on sports performance. In this fascinating book, he argues that although the world seems to demand more and more specialization — in your career, for example — what we actually need is more people “who start broad and embrace diverse experiences and perspectives while they progress.” His examples run from Roger Federer to Charles Darwin to Cold War-era experts on Soviet affairs. I think his ideas even help explain some of Microsoft’s success, because we hired people who had real breadth within their field and across domains. If you’re a generalist who has ever felt overshadowed by your specialist colleagues, this book is for you.
I have mentioned Range a few times:
- One subgroup of scholars did manage to see more of what was coming
- The way to develop the best 20-year-old athlete is not the way to make the best 10-year-old athlete
- It frequently bred confidence but not skill
- No savant has ever been known to become a “Big-C creator,” who changed their field
- Their skill was in avoiding the same old patterns
Bill Gates’ favorite book is “To Serve Man”. You’ll find it listed under cookbooks at Amazon.
Bill Gates’ own words on why he (or his flunkie) is recommending these books:
“Like many white people, I’ve tried to deepen my understanding of systemic racism in recent months.”
“The fear and anxiety they [WWII Blitzed Brits] felt—while much more severe than what we’re experiencing with COVID-19—sounded familiar.”
Bill, you cuckold, you really have lost the plot.
A man worth almost $120 billion tells small businesses to lockdown. He deserves nothing but cold fury and contempt for his arrogance. From teachers to Dr Fauci each and every proponent of hard lockdowns have maintained their incomes and lifestyles while millions lose jobs and businesses. ‘Effin bastards.
Those who have made it to the top will always try to keep the rest in their place, in order to keep what they have. That’s human nature.
There is no such thing as fairness. Freedom is opportunity, and opportunity is temporary and localized. All laws are crafted to serve the interests of the lawmakers. All rebellions are crafted to serve the interests of the rebels. Justice is just a word. These are the keys to understanding all politics.
It’s a good investment.