Episode Summary
A.J. Jacobs reading from Ecclesiastes and discussing four lessons that can be learned from the passage.
There’s a scene in the music mockumentary, This Is Spinal Tap, where one character reveals his amp collection. One in particular goes up to eleven — not the usual ten — for when you want to take it over the top. But what if you don’t play guitar? What if the thing you took to eleven was your curiosity about how life works? Author A.J. Jacobs is someone who plays to eleven. He is famous for writing about his lifestyle experiments, has done everything from fitness to smartness to religious, and has adopted the title of ‘human guinea pig.’
A.J. reads from Ecclesiastes 9:7-12. [reading begins at 10:08]
Hear us further discuss:
- “How much of life is luck?” [14:04]
- Reframing a bad break: “Embrace the suck.” [20:08]
- Carpe diem. [22:37]
- Dignity of work and commitment: “Do something in the world! Don’t sit back and be a passive observer.” [25:18]
- Finding the courage to commit fully. [26:38]
- Wisdom: distinguishing wisdom from knowledge. [29:50]
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Resources:
A.J. Jacobs | Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook
A.J. Jacobs books: Thanks a Thousand | The Year of Living Biblically
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