Episode · The Tim Ferriss Show · 2023-12-29
Books mentioned on #713: Matt Mullenweg — The Art of Crafting a Sabbatical, Tips for Defending Against Hackers, Leveraging Open Source, Thriving in an AI World, and Tips for Life’s Darkest Hours
Brought to you by Momentous high-quality supplements, Helix Sleep premium mattresses, and AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement. Matt Mullenweg (@photomatt) is co-founder of the open-source publishing platform WordPress, which now powers over 40 percent of all sites on the web.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Siddhartha
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse is a philosophical novel that follows a young man's spiritual journey of self-discovery in ancient India.
Discussed“You can grow up with it, you can reread it over the years, like rereading Siddhartha. I know you have some things that you read. Is it Zorba the Greek? Tim Ferriss: Zorba the Greek is spectacular.”
Where to get it
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Zorba the Greek
Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis is a classic novel that contrasts the rigid, cautious nature of a control freak with the freewheeling, passionate lifestyle of its titular epicurean protagonist.
Discussed“Matt Mullenweg: Is it Zorba the Greek? Tim Ferriss: Zorba the Greek is spectacular. I think we might've been together. Matt Mullenweg: When you found that book. Tim Ferriss: Yeah, in Greece, when I found that book of all places, in Greece, in Santorini. And absolutely loved that book, yes.”
Where to get it
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Awareness
Awareness by Anthony De Mello is a widely praised spiritual and self-improvement book that offers insights into human consciousness, perception, and personal liberation.
Recommended“Awareness by Anthony de Mello would be another one, very short, very fast. I'm increasingly a fan of rereading, that includes some fiction too, as you mentioned, Zorba the Greek.”
Where to get it
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Empty Planet
Recommended“Read this great book Kevin Kelly recommended called Empty Planet, [which] basically says we're not going to have enough people. Population has already peaked in most developed countries.”
Where to get it
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Emergency
Emergency: This Book Will Save Your Life by Neil Strauss is a non-fiction narrative exploring the underground worlds of survivalism, tax expatriation, citizenship acquisition, and personal self-reliance.
Discussed“Or what's the survival stuff we read, Neil Strauss' book. Tim Ferriss: Oh, Emergency.”
Where to get it
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Fallen Leaves
Recommended“This is from Fallen Leaves, which is that posthumous book.”
Where to get it
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Excellent Advice for Living
Excellent Advice for Living is a collection of insightful maxims and life lessons compiled by Kevin Kelly to offer readers wisdom for personal growth and daily reflection.
Recommended“And to invoke our mutual friend Kevin Kelly in his book of Excellent Advice, which came out not too long ago, great book.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (3) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“Is it Tom Sawyer painting the fence or is it the other guy? Tim Ferriss: Yeah, I need more caffeine to be on my literary references. Matt Mullenweg: We should both know that. Wow, I'm embarrassed for both of us. Tom Sawyer, and — it'll be the first thing in the comments. Tim Ferriss: Huckleberry Finn. Matt Mullenweg: Huckleberry Finn,”
“Tim Ferriss: Huckleberry Finn. Matt Mullenweg: Huckleberry Finn, yeah.”
“And I think he got me a book called Body for Life or something, one of these really — Tim Ferriss: Oh. Yeah, Bill Phillips, I think, back in the day.”