Paper Belt on Fire

Audible (free with plus)

Great book about the current decadence of the US (and most of the world) and what historically was the fix for it - raise of new innovative nations. Unfortunately, the fix is harder now, since no new nations are left to take the lead.

The author lists Peter Thiel as one of the main influencers (and his employer).

This book is a great philosophical piece, counterweight to the techno-optimism movement. As a techno-optmistic person, I find the stories in this book refreshing and grounding. The book has some political bias (towards blockchain; against globalization; and against class-based societies, like Ivy League).

From a biohacking perspective, the book offers a great explanation why mainstream medicine and diet might be suboptimal for longevity and healthspan.

Actionable items:

• For (under-)grads: Open invitation to avoid spending time in the established institutionalized education system and instead build (great advise, considering the rapid growth of AI/automation, decrease in value of diplomas, and the balooning costs of formal education in US/Canada).

• For everyone:

  • Stop using time-based valuation of work (e.g. hourly wage, diplomas, time on the job) and focus on measurable impact.

  • Look for moonshot ideas/people that solve systemic problems and associate.