Made You Think  Por  arte de portada

Made You Think

De: Neil Soni Nat Eliason and Adil Majid
  • Resumen

  • Made You Think is a podcast by Nat Eliason, Neil Soni, and Adil Majid where the hosts and their guests examine ideas that, as the name suggests, make you think. Episodes will explore books, essays, podcasts, and anything else that warrants further discussion, teaches something useful, or at the very least, exercises our brain muscles.
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Episodios
  • 117: Winning and Losing Millions in Crypto Confidential
    Jul 5 2024
    “I could hardly form the words. My mouth wasn’t working. My heart hammered in my ears and pins and needles burned my hands and feet. I squeezed my fists as hard as I could to get them to stop hurting as I stumbled into my office and fumbled through my laptop password, pulling up the message that had thrown me out of bed: “Nat, someone found a way to hack us. It sounds bad. All of our funds might be at risk.” This was the absolute worst-case scenario. The one I’d pushed to the back of my mind. The one I pretended was impossible so I could sleep at night. I’d always accepted the risk that I could lose all of my money. But if I lost a hundred million dollars of other people’s money…” Welcome back to another episode of Made You Think! Today’s episode is extra special as we talk all things Crypto Confidential, a brand-new book by our very own co-host, Nathaniel Eliason. Join us as Nat shares the behind-the-scenes journey of writing and launching his book. Whether you're a seasoned crypto enthusiast or just curious, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of crypto through Nat’s insightful storytelling. We cover a wide range of topics including: Nat's journey of writing Crypto ConfidentialDifferences in promoting fiction vs. nonfictionHow Nat learned from other successful book marketersChallenges of book promotion and strategyThe creative process behind book cover design And much more. Please enjoy, and make sure to follow Nat, Neil, and Adil on Twitter and share your thoughts on the episode. Links from the Episode: Mentioned in the Show: Crypto Confidential early release in Toronto (1:56) Brandon Sanderson signing 5,000 copies in 3 hours (8:37)Brandon Sanderson advice and lectures (8:56)10 Things I Learned Losing 10 Million Dollars (18:30)Olympus (50:55) Outside the System: Crypto Confidential with Nat Eliason (58:55) Books Mentioned: Crypto Confidential The Founders (22:24) Zero to One (23:23) (Nat's Book Notes)Red Rising (25:08) Atomic Habits (26:49) (Nat's Book Notes) The Three-Body Problem (28:33) (Book Episode) (Nat’s Book Notes) The 4-Hour Body (36:11) The 4-Hour Workweek (36:26) (Nat's Book Notes) Trust Me, I’m Lying (38:48) The Obstacle Is the Way (40:40)Ego is the Enemy (41:00) (Nat's Book Notes) Deep Work (41:40) (Nat's Book Notes)Elantris (42:32) Endurance (43:58) Empire of the Summer Moon (44:09) Kitchen Confidential (59:00) People Mentioned: Brandon Sanderson (8:37)Jimmy Soni (22:21)Peter Thiel (23:43) James Clear (26:50)Eric Jorgensen (32:04)Paul Millerd (32:17)Tim Ferriss (36:03)Ryan Holiday (38:32)Cal Newport (41:39)Cormac McCarthy (43:47) Show Topics: (0:00) In today’s episode, we delve into Nat’s upcoming book, Crypto Confidential, set to release on July 9th. Get your copy here! Nat discusses the book, the preparations for its launch, and the surprise of finding an early-released copy in a Toronto bookstore. (4:01) We explore the process of how bookstores order books, what it takes to keep them on the shelves, and the criteria for returning unsold copies. (7:40) Signed copies of books, and how authors get creative in distributing their signature across a wide number of publishings. (12:52) Nat shares how he balanced promoting Crypto Confidential to his existing audience while also attracting new readers. He reveals his strategy of getting pre-ordered copies into readers’ hands early to generate online testimonials by the release date, despite disagreement from his publishers. (19:38) We talk about how the promotion strategy may change after the book release. At what point do you take your foot off the gas? (24:16) The effectiveness of word-of-mouth marketing and why it’s such a powerful strategy. We compare the promotion of fiction and nonfiction books, noting that fiction is often less promoted by authors and more by publishers. How does promotional work differ between these genres? (27:33) Nat talks a bit about his upcoming science-fiction book, HUSK, and how he would change his promotion strategy the next time around. (31:10) How can authors maintain momentum and sustain genuine interest in the book? The difference between organic enthusiasm surrounding the book vs. prompted posts. (36:00) Insights from successful book marketers and the strategies that contributed to their success. Spoiler: It’s NOT about bombarding your email list. (38:29) The importance of incorporating valuable content into your books. Regardless of the niche, avoid creating “popcorn” books that lack substance. (43:44) Being committed for the long haul as an author, and how it can often take years and multiple books to see your success. (45:50) We dive deeper into the book and explore Nat’s motivation behind writing it. Plus, Nat emphasizes the importance of portraying both the lows and highs to engage readers emotionally throughout the narrative. (50:31) What was something that Nat had to cut from the final version of the book? He shares more...
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    1 h y 11 m
  • 116: What Was It All For? WWI by Martin Gilbert
    Jun 26 2024
    “If the war was to be over by Christmas, as many believed, or at the latest by Easter 1915, tens of thousands of soldiers might be killed or wounded before the guns fell silent. Every army believed that it could crush its opponents within a few months.” Welcome back to another episode of Made You Think! Join us as we dive into The First World War by Martin Gilbert. We'll explore the intricate details of WW1, from the seemingly pointless triggers to the significant aftermath that reshaped the world. We'll also touch on intriguing historical anecdotes, like Germany's return in WW2, and the far-reaching consequences of redrawing borders. History lovers, buckle up for this one! We cover a wide range of topics including: Technological advancements from cavalry to tanks and planesHow WW1 redrew the map and ended empiresThe concept of 'war guilt' and its impactAmerica's pivotal role and the intercepted telegramThe seemingly unnecessary triggers of the first World War And much more. Please enjoy, and make sure to follow Nat, Neil, and Adil on Twitter and share your thoughts on the episode. Links from the Episode: Mentioned in the Show: The Great War on Youtube (2:32)Schlieffen Plan (10:57)French Foreign legion (16:48) Empires before WW1 (34:42)Zimmerman Telegram (41:21) Marshall Plan (1:13:34)They Shall Not Grow Old (1:26:26) Books Mentioned: The First World War The Second World War (3:13) Shadow Divers (43:46) The Power of Geography (1:24:57) Blueprint for Armageddon (1:38:21) The Brothers K (1:39:40) Musashi (1:39:47) People Mentioned: Martin GilbertHo Chi Minh (3:59)David Lloyd George (24:47)John J. Pershing (41:03)Dan Carlin (1:37:32)Ernest Shackleton (1:38:47) Show Topics: (0:00) Today, we’re covering The First World War by Martin Gilbert. While the book offers a detailed play-by-play of WW1, it wasn't the most enjoyable read. However, we gained significant insights into the war. (4:53) The war’s triggers and conflicts felt somewhat pointless. Despite this, WW1 felt more significant than WW2 as it redrew maps and ended four empires. Unlike WW2's clear-cut good vs. evil narrative, WW1 began with cavalry and ended with advanced technology like planes, tanks, gas, and submarines. (8:02) Numerous underlying tensions grew and eventually exploded in unpredictable ways. One of the triggers was Germany’s insecurity about its geographical position. We delve into the circumstances that led to the start of the war. (11:10) A major theme was the widespread belief that the war would end quickly, without long-term consequences. We discuss what wars were like before WW1, typically regional with smaller armies and less impact on civilian populations. (13:57) What was the aftermath of the war like? You might belong to a different town or region, but it may not have affected your daily life much. (18:00) Nat, Neil, and Adil talk about the multiple empires that collapsed during this time. (20:10) War guilt was a new concept, unlike previous wars where the winning side simply negotiated their gains. The sheer number of deaths and the devastation of this war was shocking. (25:35) How did the Ottoman Empire get involved and what was their involvement in the war? (27:05) The Germans came back much stronger in WWII, despite being devastated in WWI. They put up a bigger fight just 20 years later. It leads us to wonder, from where did they find the resources? (31:38) How the war marked a complete era shift. Would communism have had as much impact in the 20th century without WWI? Would the Soviet Union have emerged? (34:42) We take a look at a map of empires before WW1 and how the territories looked before then, which leads into our first tangent of this episode! (37:52) Though Mexico wasn't involved in the war, Germany sent them a telegram promising several U.S. states in exchange for support. The British intercepted this message and informed the U.S. (40:34) America's entry into the war truly tipped the scales and accelerated the conflict. They joined gradually, but their involvement turned the tide. We discuss the telegram that prompted America's entry into WWI. (43:58) We were surprised by the advanced use of submarines in WWI. It's fascinating to consider how much the world has changed, especially thinking about the Ottoman Empire, which lasted over 600 years. (47:49) WWI was the first time oil played a significant role, and the Ottoman Empire had some of the largest oil reserves. Had they survived, they could have controlled one of the 20th century's most crucial resources. From the four dissolved empires, 40 new countries emerged. (50:12) While book wasn't the most entertaining and it felt repetitive, its importance lies in how it made people rethink the norms and rules of engagement. If a major war broke out next year, for example, there would likely be a similar period of figuring out new ground rules. (57:15) The Russian Revolution. Two generations of European leaders were responsible for the deaths of ...
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    1 h y 41 m
  • 115: Einstein’s Dreams by Alan Lightman
    May 15 2024
    "The tragedy of this world is that no one is happy, whether stuck in a time of pain or of joy. The tragedy of this world is that everyone is alone. For a life in the past cannot be shared with the present. Each person who gets stuck in time gets stuck alone.” Welcome back to another episode of Made You Think! In this episode, we explore the concept of time through the lens of one of the most imaginative books of our time, Einstein's Dreams. The novel portrays Albert Einstein as a young scientist grappling with his dreams as he works on his theory of relativity. This episode promises to spark deep reflection, ignite your curiosity, and challenge your perception of time. We cover a wide range of topics including: The hidden costs of immortalityContemplating a world where every day is a fresh startWhy it’s easy to forget to appreciate the things you haveHow death ultimately gives our life meaningOur most obnoxious literary opinions And much more. Please enjoy, and make sure to follow Nat, Neil, and Adil on Twitter and share your thoughts on the episode. Links from the Episode: Mentioned in the Show: Click (4:32) Books Mentioned: Einstein’s DreamsTao Te Ching (1:33) (Book Episode) (Nat’s Book Notes)The Sovereign Individual (12:59) (Book Episode) (Nat’s Book Notes)The Fourth Turning (13:01) (Book Episode)Logicomix (22:41) (Book Episode)East of Eden (30:30) (Book Episode) (Nat's Book Notes)The Unbearable Lightness of Being (32:11)The First World War (34:50)The Brothers K (34:51)Musashi (34:53)Infinite Jest (37:34) (Book Episode 1) (Book Episode 2) (Nat’s Book Notes)Atlas Shrugged (37:58) (Book Episode) (Nat’s Book Notes)Gödel, Escher, Bach (43:45) (Book Episode) (Nat’s Book Notes) People Mentioned: Alan LightmanJohn Steinbeck (18:31)Werner Heisenberg (23:29)Milan Kundera (32:23)David Perell (44:29) Show Topics: (0:00) In today’s episode, we're covering Einstein’s Dreams by Alan Lightman. Adil shares his experience going through the book for the 3rd time, noting its unique approach devoid of traditional characters yet filled with intense emotional resonance across the theme of 'time'. (2:43) The stories challenge the way we think about time, with each chapter introducing a unique time variable that initially appears distinct on the surface. However, beneath the surface, these chapters resonate with aspects of our own reality. We list off a few chapters that were top of mind for us. (6:10) Death is what gives life meaning. We explore this concept by diving into one of the short stories where nobody dies. If you know that time is infinite, how would you spend that time? (8:45) Which chapter(s) of Einstein's Dreams did we connect with the most? (11:16) We discuss the concept of sleep training, contemplating the ideal scenario where babies would sleep according to their natural rhythms. However, balancing the baby's freedom to sleep spontaneously with the demands of a structured work and life schedule can be a struggle. (12:32) Nat, Neil, and Adil ponder the scenario if everyone were to just live one day. You wouldn't know seasons, and all you'll ever know is what the current day brings. (16:08) Connections between Einstein’s Dreams and a previous read on the podcast, The Fourth Turning. (17:51) Despite not having main characters (aside from Einstein and Besso), this book still manages to drive a lot of emotions. We admire Lightman's ability to write in a soft, empathetic way, while painting the picture for readers very effectively. (19:59) Were these short stories from the book thoughts that Einstein may have had in real life as he worked towards his theories on time and relativity? (23:45) We touch on a story from the book where every day is truly a fresh start, and there is no knowledge of the past or future. (26:45) Doing everything as if it’s for the first time will give you excitement, but it’s also meaningful to act as if you’re doing something for the very last time. (28:25) Einstein's theory of general relativity, and how at the time of this theory, it was still unknown in the world of physics that the world is constantly expanding rather than fixed. (30:27) Though it may not be the longest book, it still hits hard. Nat, Neil, and Adil share their appreciation for Einstein's Dreams being impactful despite the length. It's one of those books that can make you feel a different way each time you read it. (36:47) Shoutout to Jack for the book recommendation on Musashi! If you have any book recommendations that you’d like us to pick up for the show, you can submit them to us here. (38:55) You can get away with a lot in books, but what about a 35,000 word speech? We talk about John Galt's mighty speech in Atlas Shrugged. So long as you give the readers a reason to finish the book and recommend it to others, you can really do what you want within the pages. (44:17) That concludes this thought-provoking episode! Next up, we're tackling Martin Gilbert's The First ...
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    47 m

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