"Know Thyself" may start from learning a bit of psychology. Oh well, to some extent. In the interview in EconTalk, Bloom recognized that this book is "Know Thyself" may start from learning a bit of psychology. Oh well, to some extent. In the interview in EconTalk, Bloom recognized that this book is a systematic overview on the subject of psychology, not a book to reveal surprising human nature. For that, better to read novels. This I agree with.Â
But I did learn a useful term called "partial reinforcement." It may explain why pick-up artist works "so well" in some relationship. People find it hard to resist those random rewards. Now it makes sense why people cannot seem to easily escape from those toxic relationships.
I want to apply this knowledge to sweets. I know it is bad for me, but I can't seem to stop it. The reason may be that I used to think: okay let me not eat sweets for weekdays and then I can get a treat on Saturday... This turns out to be a terrible strategy. I should just not eat it at all.Â
Here is the related quote from the book: “I often think of the power of partial reinforcement, of how a diet of rare and random rewards can make a behavior difficult to extinguish. I don’t currently have to deal with toddlers who throw tantrums and I’ve never been tempted by slot machines. But I often find myself lost online, staring at my phone, numbly clicking on links, watching videos, doing the drag-down-to-refresh gesture in the hopes of seeing something that makes me feel good, and when I do all this, I am reminded of a rat in the behaviorist’s cage.�...more
One take-away is to try really hard to think rationally when judging others harshly. Many quick judgements are from the lower layer of the neural systOne take-away is to try really hard to think rationally when judging others harshly. Many quick judgements are from the lower layer of the neural system, and we rationalize those preferences later. Even when the behavior is bad, we ought to have the compassion and humility to realize that the person who conducts the behavior may not really do it that intentionally; the biology is too strong and (still) mysterious a force for us to resist and understand....more
I wouldn’t say this book is a masterpiece, but it offered space and perspectives to have the conversation with various characters in the book and withI wouldn’t say this book is a masterpiece, but it offered space and perspectives to have the conversation with various characters in the book and with myself. It helped with my every-now-and-then mid-life crisis....more
I learned quite bit of myself from the book. Looking back at “I will and I won’t� challenges from several months ago, I realize that I successfully fiI learned quite bit of myself from the book. Looking back at “I will and I won’t� challenges from several months ago, I realize that I successfully finish the “I won’t� challenge (not checking facebook,and not sending obsessive messages) - I don’t do any of these any more. “I will� challenge, hmm, still needs some effort.
It’s probably worth revisiting the book, at least the summary after each chapter , once in a while to remind myself of not giving in bad habits, and doing the right but perhaps hard things. ...more
A simple, clearly written book. This is the kind of book that makes me complain my reading speed.. I guess the reason I am not a big fan of this kind A simple, clearly written book. This is the kind of book that makes me complain my reading speed.. I guess the reason I am not a big fan of this kind of books any more is that there is nothing to contemplate on, I read it once and get the idea and that's it.
Alain de Botton in this book tried to philosophize and rationalize the feelings of love. He reads well - this book is full of quotes from other philosophers and writers, and has some witty comments. But the affectionate feeling between man and women, to me, is nothing special but delusions and hormone-driven passions. It only becomes something more meaningful with conscious effort and mutual awareness and willingness to grow within it.
I witness my own feelings evolving while reading this book. It rationalizes a lot of my seemingly "out-of-nowhere" feelings, the crush, the desire to be in a relationship, the doubts, and finally a clearer view of why I have those doubts and what I really want in a relationship. Ehhh, "why would anyone would wish to exchange a 'peaceful' life for the emotional turbulence of a relationship?" Ha, maybe there will be less emotional turbulent ones.
Let me answer this question using another book's review "...it is the fear of uncertainty to our life that make us a living organism with heart. What’s amazing to me is no matter how uncertain or fearful we are, sometimes we are still brave enough to step our toes in the ocean of uncertainties and discover that it is beautiful."...more
Very likely this is the last book for me in 2016. I gave this book 2 star because I think this kind of books generally has a problem: verbose. One parVery likely this is the last book for me in 2016. I gave this book 2 star because I think this kind of books generally has a problem: verbose. One paragraph can explain clearly: it has to be 5 pages. One example is convincing enough: it has to be 5 other similar examples with unnecessary details.
As one can guess from the title of the book, it is about how to achieve excellency at skills. I agree with many of the viewpoints. In summary, deliberate practice requires hard and focused effort with constant feedback and challenges. One has to work at his/her maximal level in order to consistently improve. The way to excellency is not fun, but one has to find right motivation to keep going.
Even though I don't quite like the writing itself, this book is a nice ending for my 2016. It aligns with my expectations to myself at current stage. Maybe some years later, I will find that life has more meaningful things to do than just practice and studying, but for now, it is the major part of my life.
"Our generation is realistic, for we have come to know man as he really is. After all, man is that being who invented gas chambers of Auschwitz; howev"Our generation is realistic, for we have come to know man as he really is. After all, man is that being who invented gas chambers of Auschwitz; however, he is also that being who entered those gas chambers upright, with the Lord's prayer or the Shema Yisrael on his lips."...more
Definitely a nice book to read. Not until I read this book and attended the RELATE workshop did I realize how much I need to improve my presentation sDefinitely a nice book to read. Not until I read this book and attended the RELATE workshop did I realize how much I need to improve my presentation skills......more
The last chapter summarized well why mindfulness can help us live the life to its full. I do need to be often reminded of being mindful of what I am dThe last chapter summarized well why mindfulness can help us live the life to its full. I do need to be often reminded of being mindful of what I am doing and thinking. This is one of my resolutions for 2016 and the reason to read this book. I probably will read more books on mindfulness....more
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