My next book and subject to attack: The Four-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss. Why did I get this book? I read his blog which has very original ideas related to successfully taking in massive amounts of information or otherwise controlling the flow of it in order to actually achieve what we all give up ourselves into technology for: a simple and enjoyable life.

Essentially, from what I know about the book and its philosophy is that it will offer ways for you to distance yourself from trading time for money by working on systems for your business instead of doing work directly. He also lays out ways to only check your email a couple of times a day (or in a more recent post, never check your email by teaching other people to think like you and respond for you). There is a theme in his message about outsourcing tedious and time-consuming tasks.

What do I expect out of this book? Well, while it seems a big more geared towards CEOs or entrepreneurs on their way to businessdom, I still know that I can soak in and apply some of his ideas to other random areas of my life. I fear the idea of a businessman hippie although I do enjoy checking and responding to emails throughout my working and playing day; it is seemingly a part of my reputation as a worker/nerd/geek. I also respect professors and professional contacts who will respond to my emails within a few hours, or at least the same day. Any other professional contacts who take longer than a day or two to respond, I can’t really take them seriously in life or in mind – just an effect of growing up in these modern days I suppose.

My thoughts on this topic can be summed up by: laid back and meditative, but idly spinning ideas and communicating to others. Of course, we will see what I actually get out of the book.

By the way, two new albums / new pictures posted on my Web Albums:

Continuing with the train of thought about indecision and near-unlimited choices that I feel, here is another excerpt from the book The Paradox of Choice that I would like to share [emphasis mine]:

“[...] decisions like these force indecision. Students take time off, take on odd jobs, try out internships, hoping that the right answer to the “What should I be when I grow up?” question will emerge. [...] It is hard to avoid the conclusion that my students might be better off with a little less talent or with a little more sense that they owe it to their families to settle down back home, or even a dose of Depression-era necessity–take the secure job and get on with it!
 
With fewer options and more constraints, many trade-offs would be eliminated, and there would be less self-doubt, less of an effort to justify decisions, more satisfaction, and less second-guessing of the decisions to be made.”
 
- The Paradox of Choice – Barry Schwartz

Anyone? I am twisted with this thought. While I agree with it in the day to day sense with certain decisions, my mind now embraces the abundance of second-guessing that goes on with long-term decisions and roles in life.

Friend Julia commented on the previous post and seemingly felt a mental poke from the words from the book as well. I share the idea that a flow of immersive experiences, ideas, and creations are what make life exploration stand on its own. And it is interesting to note that this sort of meta-life exists on top of the foundation of unlimited choices. Whether an artist pursuing performance and enrichment alongside an art degree or myself pursuing a fire protection degree while abstracted and bewildered by nature and expression, there is a new form of experience in life that I see when I look around at a certain demographic of our generation.

Of course, this idea deeply disturbs those who seek to settle. But not to those who search for a state of mindfulness. For I am satisfied and fulfilled in the randomness that exists in a long and winding motorcycle trip, or living with my belongings out of two small bags, or getting lost in a differential equation that described the fuel reaction and consumption of a fuel under fire.

Something in my mind that embraces randomness is broken. In the good way.