Mere Mortals Book Reviews

You know things are serious when you can't spit on cats anymore ppppptttt ptttp ptt.'The Plague' by Albert Camus is a novel describing life in a city in Oran locked down to due to the outbreak of the Bubonic Plague. A narrator describes the travels of Dr Rieux over the course of about a year as he attempts to help his patients. There are differing responses of his friends and acquaintances as they all adapt to the persistent indifference of the pestilence. I summarised the book as follows. "I found it a slow start to the tale but I think this ended up making the overall work more impactful as that's how life during a plague would really become, slow & tiresome. There are no valiant heroes nor chaotic villains but the payoff in what one can take from this book is huge." I hope you have a fantastic pestilence free day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:41) - Synopsis(3:59) - Pestiferous: Is life inherently tiresome?(10:54) - The Remedy: Fighting against persistent indifference(18:03) - Observations/Takeaways(21:17) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

A solid attempt to get to the truth of all things!'Meditations On First Philosophy' by René Descartes is a philosophical treatise designed to prove the existence of God. Descartes creates 6 meditations which run through step by step how he goes about finding out what is irrevocably true. This starts with his famous 'cogito, ergo sum' (I think, therefore I am) position and fleshes out why the senses are misleading and how ideas can be split into separate categories.I summarised the book as follows. "For a short old book it packs a lot of punch. Not only were the ideas clear but it was easy to read with simple examples/analogies. It hasn't convinced me of God's existence but it has shown a very intriguing mode of thinking. A recommendation I have is to use wikipedia or other resources for additional clarity of the final chapters which started to get harder to fully comprehend."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:30) - Synopsis(2:53) - The 6 Meditations: The philosophical demonstration of God(12:51) - Observations/Takeaways(20:07) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

It finally happened, but I warned you dammit I warned you (runs away crying).In July 2022 we covered 3 books on this channel. I enjoyed learning more about Bitcoin and in particular about the history and property of money. Descartes had a real interesting process for finding truth and he conveys this beautifully in the first 3 of his 6 meditations. Juan seemed to enjoy his physics book although it is always gross when politics enter into science, even if it is only a little bit.I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:09) - The Bitcoin Standard: Saifedean Ammous(6:58) - Meditations On First Philosophy: René Descartes(16:53) - Brief Answers To The Big Questions: Stephen Hawking(18:28) - Shoutout For Nastia(20:11) - Boostagram Lounge(30:06) - August 2022Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Will this phrase of 'the gold standard' become obsolete due to technology?'The Bitcoin Standard' by Saifedean Ammous describes the history of money and examines the varying properties of currencies. This sets a backdrop for the explanation of a purely digital money called Bitcoin and why it excels in comparison to barter, shells, gold and even fiat.I summarised the book as follows. "If you are expecting a BTC book don't be surprised that 2/3 of it focuses on money with little mention of Bitcoin. It cleared up some misconceptions I had and was a nice summary of a lot of research I had already done. Due to his arguments I have come to appreciate that there is only one real cryptocurrency that has the properties of 'money', although I still have more to learn about economics as a whole."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:31) - Synopsis(3:15) - Money: What is it actually?(12:54) - Bitcoin: A new technological innovation!(21:15) - Observations/Takeaways(28:00) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

'Brief Answers to the Big Questions' by Stephen Hawking seeks to answer 10 commonly asked questions from his own perspective. The book examines some of the universe's greatest mysteries, and promotes the view that science is very important in helping to solve problems on planet EarthI hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:40) - Who is Stephen Hawkins(2:23) - Synopsis(5:12) - Themes & Observations(10:45) - TakeawayConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Who are you truly and what do you believe deeply?'Reasons And Persons' by Derek Parfit is an examination into our beliefs of what we should do with our lives and our personal identity. Parfit appeals to rationality and argues why theories such as self-interest and consequentialism are self-defeating in their own terms. He does this through a series of hypothetical cases (both realistic and improbable) to demonstrate their paradoxes before providing what he believes is the truly logical way to think.I summarised the book as follows. "This is probably a book for philosophers. I'd say you need to have a grasp on many fundamentals to fully understand the minutiae of Parfit's arguments. His general conclusions still seem quite vague and the use of so many hypotheticals & double/triple negatives became too much for me. Overall it wasn't worth reading as I couldn't take out any practical actions, but hey maybe that's just me." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:34) - Synopsis(4:04) - Reasons: What do we have the most reason to do?(10:13) - Persons: Your beliefs about your identity over time are false!(16:44) - Observations/Takeaways(25:01) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Next month will be the first where we won't have a book review every week. And philosophy is to blame!In June 2022 we covered 5 books on this channel. Juan did some heavy lifting and bested me for the first time since we began. I've recently been noticing a decline in my desire to read and this could be because I have been slogging through Parfit's book (intermittently) for a couple of months now. And this is how I've generally felt reading the 'classic' philosophy works. Hopefully this will pick up once I start reading for fun again but no guarantees.I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:23) - Madame Bovary: Gustave Flaubert(5:52) - Reasons And Persons: Derek Parfit(12:25) - Homo Deus: Yuval Noah Harari(13:12) - Before I Go To Sleep: S.J. Watson(14:11) - The Little Book Of Alpaca Philosophy: Jennifer McCartney(15:09) - Boostagram Lounge(21:03) - July 2022Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

'The Little Book of Alpaca Philosophy' by Jennifer McCartney is a simple, easy to read, quirky and short look at philosophy through the eyes of alpacasI hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:30) - Synopsis(4:36) - Themes(5:07) - Observations/TakeawaysConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

If love is such a universal good, then why does it inspire such cruelty?'Madame Bovary' by Gustave Flaubert is a tale of provincial love set in Rouen, France during the 19th century. We are privy to the intimate affairs of Emma Bovary as she seeks to capture the romantic fantasies she believes she deserves. Her blind desire comes at a cost however as she becomes ever more desperate to attain something she cannot.I summarised the book as follows. "Women and love can combine for some tragedy. This tale highlighted to me the importance of communication in relationships and to not look externally for one's source of happiness. I wasn't captivated by the characters nor the plot, but the 'literary realism' style is unique and memorable for this alone."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:34) - Synopsis(3:10) - Blind Desire: The cause of ecstasy & immense suffering(10:18) - Ignorant Contentment: Not a solid base for a great life(13:24) - Observations/Takeaways(18:18) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Get ready to have your mind blown on what you think the future may look like'Homo Deus' by Yuval Noah Harari is a logical exploration of our past, our myths, our constructs, inter-subjectivities and many many other viewpoints to craft what ultimately our future may look like. A deep think, this book might provide some answers but it does just as well to leave you with many more fascinating questions to ponder.An absolutely stunning book, I gave this read a 9/10.I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:20) - Synopsis(3:30) - Themes(10:15) - Takeaways(12:25) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

How trusting would you be?'Before I Go To Sleep' by S.J Watson is a mystery psychological thriller that delves into the questions of memory and the importance of trust. As Christine utilises her journal, she delves deeper and deeper towards the truth and in turn finds out that the origination of her amnesia might not be all it seems to be.A true page-turner, I gave this read a 7/10.I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:12) - Synopsis(4:10) - Themes(6:37) - Takeaways(9:30) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Due to some big books and a slower reading pace I did a couple of reviews of books I had read many years ago.In May 2022 I covered 4 books on this channel. Like I mentioned above, the first two by Cialdini and Kafka I had read 10 years and 3 years ago. The book that I rated the lowest was 'The Idiot' but like most Dostoevsky books there was so many themes to ponder upon that it more than made up for the long length of the novel. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - A question for you(2:58) - Influence: Robert Cialdini(6:05) - The Trial: Franz Kafka(8:41) - The Most Good You Can Do: Peter Singer(16:27) - The Idiot: Fyodor Dostoevsky(21:12) - Boostagram Lounge(26:33) - June 2022Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

A naïve idiot can be endearing but can also cause a lot of pain to themselves and others.'The Idiot' by Fyodor Dostoevsky is a large fictional story of semi-aristocratic Russians centering around 'The Prince' Lev Nikolayevich Myshkin. After a prolonged illness he begins to enter society and becomes embroiled in a love triangle with two beautiful ladies. The tale takes place over ~6 months, beginning in St Petersburg & culminating in Pavlosk.I summarised the book as follows. "It's distinctly a Dostoevsky book but with some unusual literary techniques thrown in. I found it harder to follow than some of his other classics and didn't contain a standout scene or speech. There are plenty of meaty themes to dig into but be prepared for a long read to allow them to be fleshed out. Overall I enjoyed it, but preferred 'Crime & Punishment' and/or 'The Brothers Karamazov'."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:33) - Synopsis(3:30) - Naivety: Endearing but harmful(20:13) - Observations/Takeaways(26:30) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Have your sanity in order because it will be put on trial in this mystifying process.'The Trial' by Franz Kafka tells the story of Josef K as he is suddenly accused of a crime and must go through a trial. However it is a bizarre and unclear procedure that leads him further and further down a rabbit hole. The more he tries to prove his innocence of this mysterious accusation the more unsolvable and sinister the situation becomes. I summarised the book as follows. "It's an amazing description of .... something. The words Kafka creates is familiar yet not understandable at the same time. I definitely wouldn't read this book if you don't feel you are grounded in reality as it might be a test of your own sanity. A distinct book that will be hard to forget!"I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:34) - Synopsis(3:42) - Kafkaesque: A surreal yet menacing feeling(8:37) - Reason: Escaping the Kafka quandry(17:37) - Observations/Takeaways(20:23) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

As an expert reviewer I'm telling you that you will love this review, also because all your friends do and also because it's only here for a limited time!'Influence' by Robert Cialdini is an uncovering of the shortcuts we use to make decisions (and how these can be highjacked). He list 6 'weapons of influence' (or 7 depending on your edition) which were derived from studies, training observations and 1st hand experience in sales/marketing. He highlights these with interesting stories, modern and historical data, psychological experiments and even reports from readers on how they implemented this knowledge.I summarised the book as follows. "It's a fantastic explanation of modern behaviour and why we can sometime be fooled (or do the fooling). It really showcases why certain tactics of persuasion work with real life examples. If you are willing to introspect on how you are being influenced in every day life (or want to use these tricks to your advantage) it will be an extremely useful and practical read.I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:39) - Synopsis(3:22) - Persuasion: The '7 Weapons of Influence'(14:31) - Observations/Takeaways(19:09) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Super logical arguments that are convincing but somehow feel like they are missing something.'The Most Good You Can Do' by Peter Singer details the philosophy of effective altruism and how it can be applied. There is a strong slant towards utilitarian ethics with a focus on maximising your individual impact whilst helping others. Specific examples are given of how this can change career paths, deciding on charity recipients and donating body parts. It appeals to rationality through a heavy emphasis on data and thinking about trade-offs whist making donation decisions.I summarised the book as follows. "It was a bit of a conflicting read. On the one hand it is logical and well argued but I noticed internal thoughts of counter points and a feeling that the arguments lacked something. Nevertheless, it's a good intro for those unaware of the EA movement and will hopefully make you consider the effects of your donations."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:29) - Synopsis(4:39) - Judging Value: Ethics vs Morals(12:00) - Doing: An emphasis on real world results(18:30) - Observations/Takeaways(24:00) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

A book that's chockas full of useful info, but that probably only needs to be deeply learnt once.'The Social Leap' by William von Hippel is a basic overview of our evolutionary past to explain how/why we behave and interact with others. In this case 'we' can be families, communities, companies, nations, couples, etc. It's split into 3 parts (past, present and future) with a mix of case studies, his own work as a psychology professor, quotes from famous books and personal anecdotes.I summarised the book as follows. "The value here isn't in new info but in a solid theme (i.e., how evolution dictates human communication and behaviour) presented in a new way. It helped me to re-examine my own actions and think about hidden influential factors in my own life. I would have rated it higher if this had been my first book about evolution, nevertheless I still enjoyed it a lot."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:52) - Synopsis(4:03) - Evolutionary Basics: Is this essential knowledge?(9:27) - Observations/Takeaways(13:45) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

All in all this wasn't my favourite month of reading, but yet the reading will go on!In April 2022 we covered 5 books on this channel. My favourite of the bunch was 'The Social Leap' which gave me a decent revision of some evolutionary basics. I was also surprised by how underwhelming 'Beowulf' was. I had heard about it a lot over my life up to this point and assumed it was an epic tale that would throw me into a completely new world. However, it was much smaller than I imagined and I really struggled to be amazed by his exploits.I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:45) - Medea And Other Plays: Euripides(4:53) - The Social Leap: William Von Hippel(12:46) - Borges On Writing: Jorge Luis Borges(16:44) - Beowulf: Unknown Poet(19:09) - Rogue State: William Blum(20:37) - Boostagram Lounge(24:07) - May 2022Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

We're onto the epics again and it's about time some Germanic was thrown in the mix.'Beowulf' by an unknown poet is a short poem written in Old English and set in Scandinavia (particularly modern day Denmark & Sweden). It tells of 2 battles against monsters (Grendel and Grendel's mother) by the hero Beowulf as he seeks fame and glory. Many years later he has one final fight against a dragon to to defend his land and to acquire the untold riches that it was hoarding.I summarised the book as follows. "Overall I'm slightly let down. I'd heard much about this tale over the years and I expected it to be longer & more absorbing. The only real question it raised for me, is why it is popular in the first place? I'm glad it was short and hope to find other Norse mythology to read through in the future."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:50) - Synopsis(4:31) - Epics: What defines the exalted few?(10:28) - Observations/Takeaways(14:24) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

The subtleties of translation of prose are enigmatic, so I'm glad it's not my job.'Borges On Writing' by Jorge Luis Borges is an edited transcript of a 1971 seminar in which Borges chats with colleagues and students about all things writing. It includes a deconstruction of his own work, his personal writing process and thoughts on translating from Spanish to English.I summarised the book as follows. "This scratched an itch for me. I was intrigued by the decisions of translators and this gave me some insights into the differences between literal versus free translation. It also gives a glimpse into the 'unpredictable' mind of an artist."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:44) - Synopsis(4:32) - Interpretation: The role of the translator(10:18) - Writers: How to be a good one?(15:31) - Observations/Takeaways(17:34) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

The lady in this story takes the idiom of 'cutting off one's nose to spite one's face' to a whole nother level.'Medea And Other Plays' by Euripides are a collection of 4 complete and translated plays from the Athenian playwright. They are written in the style they were to be performed, so include prompts for the actors and descriptions of what would be happening on the stage. They are relatively simple stories and show the self-destructive effect of revenge and female courage in tough situations.I summarised the book as follows. "This is nice way to learn more about Greek mythology. The characters were way more relatable than the typical heroes and definitely are worthy of the 'drama' title. There was family infighting, arrogant despots, regicide, displays of great sacrifice, traumatic love and nearly even incest! A unique format to learn more about how theatre was performed more than 2000 years ago."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:42) - Synopsis(4:28) - Revenge: Behaviour that makes little sense(10:56) - Female Courage: How did Greek women display it?(14:19) - Observations/Takeaways(17:38) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

The Mere Mortals review 'Rogue State' by William Blum.Testing america by the same standards that get used to judge other countries. The facts are layed out in this book, but perhaps not in the most consumable and unbiased way.I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:30) - Synopsis(6:00) - TakeawaysConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

A book about crazy people (who are actually pretty sane) saved this month from being a mediocre washout.In March we covered 4 books on this channel. It was a mix of social commentary, fictional realism, complex narrative and a biography. The standout for me was 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest' by Ken Kesey, a book about a mental hospital with a tyrannical nurse. I loved the concept of the 'Combine' and thought the author did a fantastic job in creating some unique and memorable characters.I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Value For Value(3:30) - One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest: Ken Kesey(11:17) - Dubliners: James Joyce(13:18) - The Green House: Mario Vargas Llosa(15:19) - Steve Jobs: Walter Isaacson(16:54) - Boostagram Lounge(21:59) - YT Comments(24:46) - April 2022(26:46) - More V4VConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

For a bunch of people in a mental hospital there is a whole lot of decent sense making going on.'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest' by Ken Kesey is an exploration of social stigma, overbearing control and fighting for the defenceless. The overbearing power of The Combine matched with the machinery of the institution forms a force that seeks to bring order by squashing all before it. Taking place in a mental hospital, it's narrated by one of the patients (The Chief) as he watches the slick newcomer (Randall McMurphy) as he battles the personification of these processes (Nurse Ratched). I summarised the book as follows. "It's a rather bleak story overall but this hits afterwards as during the reading it's mostly amusing. What I really enjoyed were the solid characters that popped out for their uniqueness. It's a great book but I wouldn't put it in my best of all time as many people seem to do. Although I found the themes fascinating it didn't hit as hard as I think it may have during the different era of when it was published." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:34) - Synopsis(4:02) - The Combine: Squashing everyone down to size ...... until it can't.(11:08) - Institutions: What happens if 'order' goes too far?(15:59) - Observations/Takeaways(20:31) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

There is a reason most writers stick to the standard narrative & chronological format .... and that's because it can be confusing as fuck without it!'The Green House' by Mario Vargas Llosa is an experimental novel set in the Piura region of northern Peru. It follows 12 characters of roughly equal importance as they deal with interweaving relationships, the rubber trade, Christianity amongst tribal people and the mythical brothel known as The Green House. The stories are set at different places and times over a 40 year period, hence the experimental nature of the book.I summarised the book as follows. "This was mostly just confusing a read. I really struggled to understand the plot and part of this was my fault. It's an experimental book so reading in my non-native language (Spanish) was not a fantastic idea and only reading little bits and pieces over a long time didn't help. That being said I did give it enough chances to grab me with something interesting but nothing really stood out."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:38) - Synopsis(2:23) - Narrative: What is a story?(6:24) - Observations/Takeaways(8:03) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

'Steve Jobs' by Walter Isaacson is a thick but well informed book into who Steve was, how many of the big brands we know today began and glimpses into stories from many perspectives.I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:25) - Synopsis(4:45) - Themes(12:10) - TakeawaysConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

If you want to change your stereotypical impression of the Irish & Dublin .... then don't read this book.'Dubliners' by James Joyce is a collection of 15 short stories published as his first book. They are mostly a description of middle class Irish life with every story being set somewhere in Dublin. It covers a variety of character ages, lives, settings and situations. One theme that isn't crucial to the plot of any individual story but appears constantly is alcohol and overconsumption.I summarised the book as follows. "I found this rather bland overall. There was nothing that excited me nor that jumped out as intriguing. This could have been 15 stories from any city anywhere in the world and it would have been the same. Life is life and it appears that an Irish Dubliners life is just as mundane as any when diving into the day to day machinations."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:41) - Synopsis(2:42) - The Irish Stereotype: Does anything set it apart?(6:41) - Observations/Takeaways(10:32) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

I found a book I rated highly and also had some quotes that spoke to me, which is why this recap is so long!In February we covered 4 books on this channel. It was a mix of philosophy, dystopian sci-fi and emotional love stories. The standout for me was Finite & Infinite Games by James Carse. This is the type of philosophy that I can actually enjoy. It was written in the last couple of decades and whilst has some parts that are difficult to understand, as a whole I found it quite enlightening. Lots of fun books coming up for March so get keen.I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Ooooooh(0:27) - Finite & Infinite Games: James P. Carse(2:34) - Snow Crash: Neal Stephenson(6:03) - The Myth Of Sisyphus: Albert Camus(8:34) - Love Stories: Trent Dalton(9:43) - Quotes(27:41) - Boostagram Lounge Part 1(32:26) - Boostagram Lounge Part 2(37:52) - What's Coming Up For Mar 2022?Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

'Love Stories' by Trent Dalton focus on the myriad experience of love, all told through stories he gained while sitting on the corner of a Brisbane City street.Definitely a book that makes you think about love and helps you reconsider the way you personally have experienced and others individual stories.I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(2:00) - Synopsis(4:35) - Themes(7:42) - TakeawaysConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Have you thought about what kind of games you've been playing, if not then maybe you should?'Finite And Infinite Games' by James P. Carse is somewhat of a philosophy that divides human actions and interactions into two types of games. The finite game is bounded, has fixed rules, is serious and theatrical. The infinite game on the other hand has no end, with constantly changing rules/players and has a more casual feeling.I summarised the book as follows. "This is the type of philosophy I can actually enjoy. Carse's general distinction of finite & infinite seemed to make a lot of intuitive sense to me. There were certainly some strange parts of the book but these only minorly subtracted from my overall impression. This is not a book for everybody but has had an impact on me and questioning what games I'm playing in."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:30) - Synopsis(3:05) - Finite vs Infinite: What game are you playing?(12:26) - Genius & Poiesis: Diving nature and creation(20:57) - Observations/Takeaways(23:33) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

A book that had a huge impact at its inception is still gaining cultural relevance 2 decades later.'Snow Crash' by Neal Stephenson depicts a dystopian USA where technology is way more advanced but life is significantly more dangerous. Hiro Protagonist and YT have to save the world from a biological-cum-digital virus that is enslaving people. Notable for it's futuristic ideas that are appearing in real life (such as VR and the Metaverse), the book also dives deeply into linguistics and the core characteristics of language.I summarised the book as follows. "If you like Sci-Fi & dystopian tales this is a solid read. I wanted to read it for its cultural relevance but was pleasantly surprised by the linguistics information and whether language is universalistic or relativistic. In many ways it's a rather simple story with one dimensional characters but I found this a great casing for the cooler futuristic technology and ideas about how language/communication operates.I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:40) - Synopsis(4:23) - The Metaverse: Better than reality?(10:46) - Language: The core of communication(18:04) - Observations/Takeaways(23:05) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Is Sisyphus trapped in an eternal torment, or is he perhaps the most fulfilled man in history?'The Myth Of Sisyphus' by Albert Camus are multiple essays diving into the philosophy of the absurd. There are 4 main parts that examine whether suicide is a good idea, the thoughts/actions of an absurd man, artists who have created absurd fictional characters and why Sisyphus is the embodiment of the absurd. It also includes some other poetical works, namely of his love for Algiers and its landscape.I summarised the book as follows. "I loved the potential of the initial premise but felt it fell a little flat. It's very poetic and I felt this detracted from the investigations into the morality of suicide. It's useful if you want some philosophy, to know about Absurdism or to enjoy the way that language can be formulated in different ways.I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:30) - Synopsis(3:57) - Absurdism: Accepting the paradox of life(8:32) - Suicide: The only serious question(13:27) - Observations/Takeaways(17:45) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Well you can't accuse me of sticking to only one type of book, I was all over shop this month.For January 2022 I tackled Leviathan and man that was booooooorrrrrriiiiiinnnnnnnggggg. I much more enjoyed Lolita (which was less controversial than I thought it would be) and Nathaniel's Nutmeg (detailing the crazy adventurers and merchants in the 1500's). A big thanks to Petar & Oscar Merry for helping to support the show, bloody legends!I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Yes yes welcome(0:27) - Lolita: Vladimir Nabokov(3:23) - Nathaniel's Nutmeg: Giles Milton(6:23) - Leviathan: Thomas Hobbes(9:31) - Twelve And A Half: Gary Vaynerchuk(11:03) - Boostagram Lounge(20:27) - What's Coming Up For Feb 2022?Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

A seminal work that many people like to quote (including me), but probably haven't read (not me now).'Leviathan' by Thomas Hobbes is a treatise on human nature/government/religion and how they all mingle. His basic argument is that human emotions & our individual rights lead to war. Therefore we need a government to contain this violence. The book is very detailed and contains lots of definitions and formal explanations of his thoughts.I summarised the book as follows. "It's split into 4 separate sections but I could really only read the first 2. I'm not going to lie, I found it a slog & rather unenjoyable. There are snippets of interesting passages but it's a book on politics & government, subjects that are rather unappealing to me. It fixed a misconception I had about Hobbes's general outlook but it was a high price to pay.I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:34) - Synopsis(4:43) - Commonwealths: Why we need political communities for the common good(12:22) - Observations/Takeaways(22:01) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

The real spice wars don't turn out so well for the little guy, but there is just as much death/mayhem.'Nathaniel's Nutmeg' by Giles Milton is a narrative history of the spice trade in the early 1500's to mid 1600's. It reveals the shipping rivalry that occurred between England & The Dutch over the highly valuable spices of nutmeg, pepper and cloves. It's told through individual adventurers with their ships and of their route, tropical diseases, warfare, politics and living conditions.I summarised the book as follows. "A nice overview of a wild time on the high seas. Lot's of compelling adventures & most of it based off documented history. I liked the addition of maps & drawings to give some geographical and visual representation to the tales. There's actually surprisingly little about Nathaniel Courthope but plenty of learning about the Dutch East India Trading Company and the quirks of history."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:36) - Synopsis(4:08) - Death & Disease: The price of adventure(9:52) - Staggering Wealth: The Dutch East India Company(14:37) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(17:38) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Delusion, obsession and dubious ethical choices swirl around in the head of this unreliable narrator.'Lolita' by Vladimir Nabokov details the disturbed account of Humbert Humbert's (the narrator) fantasy with the young Dolores Haze (Lolita). Humbert lusts after 'nymphets' and begins a semi-consensual sexual relationship with the underage Lolita. However the relationship is perhaps not all it seems as the delirium and bizarre behaviour of Humbert become more apparent.I summarised the book as follows. "Don't be fooled by the general controversy surrounding the book, I found it be rather mild. It barely hints at a consensual relationship and overall is rather condemning of Humbert's actions. It's cleverly written as your initial impressions of Humbert and Lolita will likely change as the twisted narration becomes hazier. The prose, plot line and style are all fantastic."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:00) - Synopsis(6:03) - Nymphets: Sex meets controversy(12:30) - Obsession: The breeding ground for delusion(18:59) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(27:13) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

'Twelve and a Half' by Gary Vaynerchuck (aka Gary Vee) focuses on the 12 emotional traits that are the crucial ingredients to successful interactions, on and off the business landscape. The half includes an emotion which Gary himself is building up, kind candor, and the book is split up into three parts: Decription of each emotion, examples and excercises to build up your skills in each emotion.I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:55) - Synopsis(7:13) - Themes (10:50) - Personal Observations/TakeawaysConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

'The Art of Learning' by Josh Waitzkin might be better detailed as the Art of Mastering. I summarised the book as follows. "Broken up into the fundamentals and the progress from chess master to push hands champion, Josh does a phenomenal job of sharing his life lessons with us"I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:30) - Synopsis(6:14) - Themes(12:54) - Takeaways & SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Unfortunately there were no real standout books for this month.For December 2021 I have been reading some slightly thinner works and took a break from the philosophy to find some fun ones that wouldn't test my brain too much. And whilst I did enjoy all of these, none of them stood out as something I would remember strongly and be likely to bring up in everyday conversation. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:47) - The Portrait Of A Lady: Henry James(4:51) - Peril At End House: Agatha Christie(7:38) - Don't Tell Mum I Work On The Rigs: Paul Carter(9:49) - The Art Of Learning: Josh Waitzkin(13:52) - A sneak peak of Jan 2022(15:01) - V4VConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Woooooeeeewooooeeee. Misleading title alert!!!'Don't Tell Mum I Work On The Rigs' by Paul Carter is a memoir of Paul's 35 years of life from 1969-2004. It's told in a chronological order and is centred around his work life in the oil drilling industry. This profession took him all over the world (Nigeria, Brunei, Colombia, Russia, Singapore, etc.,) and resulted in zany stories involving bar fights, a horny monkey, shocking injuries and a bar full of midgets.I summarised the book as follows. "It's definitely fun & enjoyable, but it won't leave much of an impression on me. There are a lot of crazy stories but I'm unsure of which parts are genuine, especially due to the clickbait title. However, it's a book that will make you want to travel and gain the wildest experiences from life (whether they be good or bad)."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:34) - Synopsis(2:41) - Storytelling: Artistry & embellishing(8:41) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(12:04) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Mon Ami, Hercule Poirot is on the scene!'Peril At End House' by Agatha Christie is a whodunnit crime story that will leave you guessing until the very end. Nick Buckley has 3 close calls with death before her cousin Maggie is killed in her place. Fortunately Poirot and Hastings are available to investigate the crime and untangle the weave of seemingly incomprehensible events.I summarised the book as follows. "I found this mystery quite fun despite the morbid nature of the crime. It's the perfect length for me & satisfied my OCD of wrapping up everything neatly in a bow. A book like this could be a 10/10 for others but I typically want something more out of the box with new concepts or ideas for my general reading. Nevertheless, it's an amusing problem to try and solve."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:39) - Synopsis(3:17) - Why Whodunnits?: What makes them special(9:32) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(11:29) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

The ritual of courtship has really changed in the last century & a half. 'The Portrait Of A Lady' by Henry James is a fictional (although realistic) tale of love set in the 19th century. It follows Isabel Archer, a beautiful middle class American teenager who is elevated into the upper society of Europe and is courted by a suite of bachelors. It features a core group of 12-15 ladies & gentlemen and explores the themes of love and societal expectations.I summarised the book as follows. "This book was perfect for lazy night time reading. There's not too many individuals to keep track of and those who exist had depth & complexity. Apart from the strange communication style between characters the rest (scenery, descriptions, plotline, etc.,) was top notch. A nice throwback to see how the upper class lived so very long ago."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:33) - Synopsis(2:59) - Societal Expectations(21:23) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(28:53) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

'Cilka's Journey' by Heather Morris is the sequel to 'The Tattooist of Auschwitz' which we have covered on the channel before.I summarised the book as follows. "Didn't quite live up to the original, the book felt like it was several pages too many and while the story itself was great it could have been constructed in a better way."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out!If you'd like to support the team and grab the book, why not use this link! https://amzn.to/3cV7j87Timeline:(0:20) - Intro(1:00) - Synopsis(6:30) - Themes(10:55) - Takeaways(15:00) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

This recap was supported with the help of Petar the slav, many thanks for the boostagrams!Well I tried my best to understand what the Germans think about life but it wasn't too successful. I found the writing of Nietzsche and Heidegger to be quite obscure and didn't really learn anything from them. I did have fun diving into the Dune world though, just in time to see the upcoming movie. Juan enjoyed reading (as much as one can) about the story of The Tattooist Of Auschwitz and I reveal some of the upcoming books that will appear in December.I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:23) - Value For Value: Petar's boostagrams(10:07) - Dune: Frank Herbert(12:33) - Beyond Good And Evil: Friedrich Nietzsche(14:30) - The Question Concerning Technology: Martin Heidegger(15:49) - The Tattooist Of Auschwitz: Heather Morris(18:31) - A sneak peak of December 2021Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

I don't use the word often, but 'polemical' describes this work perfectly.'Beyond Good And Evil' by Friedrich Nietzsche is mostly an attack on philosophers but also contains snippets of his general thoughts on the interplay between religion & society, the mindset of a free spirit and some other assorted rants. It was originally written in his native German and is mostly comprised of statements (rather than logical arguments) of his opinions on all these topics.I summarised the book as follows. "It's an angry book written in an angry way by an angry guy. I struggled to understand a lot but there were hints that it could become clearer with more reading of his other philosophical works. I'm not really convinced by anything he said as he provided no basis for his statements, they were all personal assertions. I might come back and try again one day but this attempt was of little value."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:28) - Synopsis(3:17) - The Free Spirit: A break from blind dogmatism(7:07) - Assorted Rants: Beyond sane and rational(13:55) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(20:51) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

More questions than answers, more confusion than clarity.'The Question Concerning Technology' by Martin Heidegger is a philosophical book containing multiple essays by the German philosopher. It centres around his concepts of 'Standing Reserve' & 'Enframing' but also contains a deconstruction of Nietzsche as well. The book contains no real structure but does have many helpful notes from the translator (as it was originally written in German).I summarised the book as follows. "I have no idea what this book was about. Major props and kudos to anyone who can understand it. I gave it a low rating not because I disagreed or disliked the thesis, simply because I didn't understand it. One of those books where I'm not at all encouraged to even attempt to read any of the author's other works."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:37) - Synopsis(2:43) - ???(4:49) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(9:04) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

'The Tattooist of Auschwitz' by Heather Morris blends fiction with reality to bring the tale of the Tattooist of Auschwitz to us all, his love for Gita and the things one must do to survive.I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out!If you would like to support the Mere Mortals, feel free to grab this book here: https://amzn.to/3H16rMOTimeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:30) - Synopsis(8:40) - Themes/Takeaways(11:34) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

He who controls the spice controls the universe!'Dune' by Frank Herbert is a sci-fi classic that is comparable with some of the other amazing fictional universes. The story takes place on Arrakis, a barren planet scarce of water but containing the immensely valuable spice. House Atreides suffers a catastrophic betrayal and so the young Duke Paul undergoes a quest for revenge and to restore his rightful inheritance. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a fun world and I can see why it has fanatical supporters. I found it easier reading than LOTR but also noticed myself skipping the poetry & songs. It's great for night time reading and to lose myself in the story, but I probably won't bother to dive fully into the whole Dune universe."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:33) - Synopsis(3:59) - Water & Spice: All you need in life(9:22) - The Essence of Sci-Fi: Making boring stuff fun(13:24) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(16:01) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Everything you know about human nature is a falsehood, but maybe that's a good thing.'Humankind' by Rutger Bregman is an argument for why humans are good at heart (and in action). He presents this as a dichotomy between the philosophy of Thomas Hobbes & Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Much of the book is spent debunking commonly cited examples of our innate cruelty (Milgram Shock/Standford Prison experiments), but also has anecdotes from history and more trustworthy statistics.I summarised the book as follows. "It's a crazy amount of condensed critical thinking. It burst a couple of ideas that were too simplistic but also might be refuted in the future for the same reason. It's well presented and contains elements of Rutger's personality (which matches my own) that made me like the book even more, although this obviously clouds my judgement as to the absolute 'truth' of his arguments. Nevertheless, being hopeful is fun!"I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:29) - Synopsis(4:19) - Veneer Theory: Are we about to crack?(7:44) - A Hopeful History: Mixing the future and past(11:53) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(16:27) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

I had to slow down my reading pace to about 1 x book per week due to focusing on some new goals. I also think my average page length might be slightly increasing which also is a reason for the slow down. So only 3 x reviews for me from this month. The real highlight (which I forgot to mention) was Juan's review of Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari which he reckons is the best book he's ever read. Worth going to check out that book review!I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:01) - Humankind: Rutger Bregman(4:24) - An Autobiography: M.K. Gandhi(8:04) - The Heart Of The Buddha's Teaching: Thich Nhat Hanh(11:23) - Boostagram time(15:05) - A sneak peak of November 2021Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show