Why people recommend it
Steppenwolf is a celebrated novel by Nobel Prize-winning author Hermann Hesse that delves into themes of alienation, existentialism, duality, and the search for meaning in a complex society. The book was prominently discussed on multiple episodes of the Lex Fridman Podcast. In a conversation with guest Will Sasso, host Lex Fridman and Sasso both expressed their admiration for Hesse, quoting a famous piece of wisdom from the book that instructs readers to learn what must be taken seriously in life and to simply laugh at the rest. Fridman returned to the book in another episode featuring guest Lex Fridman, where he paraphrased Hesse's sentiments regarding silliness and the difficulty of navigating personal conflict and drive. Earlier, during a discussion with Sean Kelly focused on existentialism and nihilism, Fridman briefly touched upon Steppenwolf while exploring how humor and absurdity manifest in literature. Across these appearances, the speakers consistently gravitated toward Hesse's poignant observations, using the novel's philosophical tenets to reflect on human nature, personal seriousness, and the necessity of finding levity amidst the struggles of existence.
Who recommended it
- Lex Fridman Discussed
- Will Sasso Discussed
Lex Fridman — 2 mentions
“in a book called Steppenwolf says learn what is to be taken seriously and laugh at the rest”
“i'm starting to forget steppenwolf i think is uh humor”
Will Sasso — 1 mention
“Yeah, no, well no one gets out alive, I think is the Hermann Hesse, one of my favorite writers. He's a Nobel Prize winner, and in a book called Steppenwolf says, 'Learn what is to be taken seriously and laugh at the rest.'”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
- All Things Shining
- Atlas Shrugged
- Being and Nothingness
- Consider the Lobster
- MOBY-DICK; or, THE WHALE
- Moby Dick
Other mentions (3: passing, ad reads, own books)
“Steppenwolf's been pretty good but Step Steppenwolf's a fine novel but Hesse could never.”
“what is it, the magic theater, what book is that from? Hermann Hesse, "Steppenwolf," I think.”
“Not all of it, but when he is just silly, I found that silliness-- I think Hermann Hesse said something paraphrased, one of my favorite writers-- ANDREW HUBERMAN: Yeah, same. LEX FRIDMAN: I think in Steppenwolf he said, learn what is to be taken seriously and laugh at the rest.”