This Is Water
The Kenyon commencement speech by the author of Infinite Jest, about a 15-minute read
The 2005 commencement address at Kenyon College by the novelist behind Infinite Jest, published as a short book after his death. It opens with two young fish who do not know what water is and argues that the real value of education is choosing what to pay attention to, especially in the boring, frustrating routine of adult life. Around 15 minutes to read, so it circulates as a gift and gets reread.
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Does it: documented as part of their own routine. Recommends: explicitly advises other people to do it. Discusses: covered it substantively without clear personal adoption; this can include criticism or disagreement.
- Hugh JackmanRecommends
Actor · Wolverine and The Greatest Showman
The other book he gives regularly: the Kenyon commencement speech by the author of Infinite Jest, which he calls a 15-minute book. Short enough that the recipient never feels guilty about it.
Source: The Tim Ferriss Show #444 transcript
Aimed at the same thing
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Digital Minimalism
A philosophy for using much less technology, on purpose
On record from 2 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it, 1 has discussed it - Book$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
The Anxious Generation
Jonathan Haidt on what smartphones and social media did to childhood after 2010
On record from 2 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it, 1 has discussed it - Book$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Clear Thinking
Parrish on the ordinary moments where a decision is really made
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it - Book$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Effortless
Make the most essential activities the easiest ones to do
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it - Book$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Essentialism
The disciplined pursuit of less, applied to a career and a calendar
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it - Book$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Heavily Meditated
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On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it
Book entry · notes paraphrased from cited sources, quoted excerpts copied from the transcript they link to. Not medical advice. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or reviewed by anyone listed. How this works.