Good List 2022

A few of my favorite things from this year.

The Brothers Karamazov

Fyodor Dostoevsky

This book worked on me page by page to get me into the perfect position to kick me in the gut at the end. I can’t sum it up in a one liner, but to me it’s a story about suffering as a glue that binds us all together. There are also interesting philosophical discussions about free will, love, and what Jesus would do at the Spanish Inquisition.

Skin In The Game

Nassim Nicholas Taleb

This had the biggest impact on me of any book I read this year. A system of ethics and bullshit detector rolled into one. The wisdom of grandmothers is central to the philosophy.

The Marine Biologist

Seinfeld

A perfect episode that had me in awe of the craft of comedy.

The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas

Ursula Le Guin

A short story that explores the question of how happiness should be distributed in society. Is it better to have a society where everyone is only moderately happy? Or is it better if everyone is maximally happy, but one person is completely miserable?

On the Shortness of Life

Seneca

A letter from the stoic philosopher Seneca on how we spend our time.