Episode · Lex Fridman Podcast · 2023-07-06
Lex Fridman & Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: books mentioned on Lex Fridman Podcast #388
#388 – Robert F. Kennedy Jr: CIA, Power, Corruption, War, Freedom, and Meaning
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Lex Fridman discussed The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus and La Peste by Albert Camus. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recommended JFK and the Unspeakable by James Douglass, and discussed THE PLAGUE by Albert Camus, Profiles in courage by John F. Kennedy, Critique of psychoanalysis by Carl Gustav Jung, and Synchronicity by Carl Jung.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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The Myth of Sisyphus
The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus is a prominent philosophical essay examining the absurdist condition, human suffering, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe.
Discussed“Camus said, I believe, in "Myth of Sisyphus," "the only way to deal with an unfree world, is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion."”
Where to get it
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THE PLAGUE
The Plague by Albert Camus is a classic existentialist novel that uses the allegorical setting of a city struck by a deadly epidemic to explore profound themes of human suffering, absurdism, collective responsibility, and resilience.
Discussed“kind of as a parable that, and it's the same lesson that I think, he writes about in "The Plague," where we're all given these insurmountable tasks, in our lives, but that by doing our duty,”
Where to get it
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La Peste
La Peste by Albert Camus is a profound philosophical novel that depicts a devastating plague sweeping through the Algerian city of Oran, using the sudden catastrophe to explore human suffering, existential dread, collective responsibility, and the quiet heroism of ordinary people facing absurd and insurmountable circumstances.
Discussed“You mentioned 'The Plague' by Camus—there are different interpretations of that book, particularly considering its context.”
Where to get it
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Profiles in courage
Profiles in courage by John F.
Discussed“And then he had come home and he had written a book, on moral courage among American politicians, and won the Pulitzer Prize, that book "Profiles and Courage."”
Where to get it
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JFK and the Unspeakable
JFK and the Unspeakable by James Douglass is a historical investigation into the assassination of President John F.
Recommended“The best book to me for people to read, is James Douglass's book, which is called "The Unspeakable."”
Where to get it
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Critique of psychoanalysis
The Red Book, alongside writings on synchronicity, forms a core part of Carl Gustav Jung's deep exploration of psychoanalysis, the unconscious mind, and profound psychological transformation.
Discussed“And at that time, I picked up a book by Carl Jung called 'Synchronicity.'”
Where to get it
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Synchronicity
Synchronicity by Carl Jung is a psychological and philosophical work exploring meaningful coincidences that defy casual explanation.
Discussed“And at that time I picked up a book by Carl Jung, called "Synchronicity."”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (1) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“In fact, in my book, which is 250,000 words long, I never tried to dive into his mindset but rather focused on facts and science.”