Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: lexfridman.com/sponsors/mv512-sa See below for timestamps, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc. 0:00 - Introduction 0:00 - Intro 1:02 - 1984 world & characters 4:19 - Love 12:42 - Hate 17:21 - Power 25:56 - 1984 applied to today 47:14 - Twitter reading list drama *CONTACT LEX:* *Feedback* - give feedback to Lex: lexfridman.com/survey *AMA* - submit questions, videos or call-in: lexfridman.com/ama *Hiring* - join our team: lexfridman.com/hiring *Other* - other ways to get in touch: lexfridman.com/contact *EPISODE LINKS:* Reading list: lexfridman.com/reading-list/ 1984 by George Orwell (book): amzn.to/3Cxo726 *SPONSORS:* To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts: lexfridman.com/sponsors/mv512-sa
Perfect love does not long for perfection, it finds worth in the striving for adoration. To perfect love it matters more how many times you fall away and return than always keeping to, or especially completely turning away from it.
For every individual mocking your desire to read 50 something books this year, theres a whole crop of people who look forward to each of your podcasts and fall a little more in love with what you are doing. Stay you, Lex.
Keep going Lex. I am 52 years old and have not read any of the books on your list. I absolutely loved 1984 and am half way through Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. I will continue throughout 2023 as long as you do. Without you, I would not be experiencing any of these books. Thank you, Paul.
Almost same here, had only read a few... I love your challenge, I trust your judgement and it motivate me to invest the hours. Having this kind of video at the end of the week iis also a good motivation. Maybe for some book, you can discuss it with other poeple that would have read it, like Jordan Peterson ^^
Glad to see Lex keeping up with this in spite of the totally uncalled for hate he got on Twitter for encouraging people to read. Happy new year Lex, thanks for doing what you do.
I’m not on twitter thank Jesus,he’s getting hate for encouraging people to read? And he’s reading 1984 so clearly irony is out the window for these lunatics
Hey Lex, you don't have to defend yourself about the books you read or you didn't read. These are the people who always see the glass half empty. I didn't read most of the books in your list, and I really appreciate you sharing it with us. You motivated me to read these amazing books. Thanks for being humble and vulnerable. It makes you and your audience stronger.
I’m a 63-year-old grandmother who discovered your podcast last year and immediately became a fan. Only consider the well-meaning, constructive criticism and ignore the rest. You’re doing great and I enjoy your thoughtful interviews and interesting guests. I appreciated hearing your take on 1984, which was required reading in my English class back in 1976. Happy reading and best wishes for 2023.📚❤️
Lex may be the most sincere, loving, honest, considerate, and eloquently confrontational person on the internet. We need more influencers willing to be vulnerable and a “devils advocate” for all sides of all arguments. Lex, thank you for what you do and what it seems you are trying to do for society. 🙏🏼
Lex has basically started an international worldwide book-club!😂 What a fantastic thing, I for one feel strangely comforted knowing that thousands of people are all reading along with me - Thank you Lex!
Funny you mention that, pewdiepie had a book club for a year or so. It's actually what got me into reading, him reviewing the books was what really sealed it. I remember pewds doing like a 1 hour video on the republic. I'd love if lex did the same.
I’m nobody. No one will probably read this but sharing is risk. It’s genuine and appreciated. I love your podcast because I can relate. Your empathetic counter-approach respect, inquisitiveness and following the breadcrumbs of “whoa, what’s down that alley” is so refreshing I feel connected to your interviews, engaged wholly and am genuinely appreciative of your effort to entertain, invite, incite and commune. Keep it up bud. I never comment or even sign in but jeez, don’t stop. Your contribution makes me not want anything easier but to make me better. 👍🏼
Please don't say that you're not important. You're no less important than Lex. Lex is a cool dude, but he has a team of experts working for him 24/7. I'm just saying that you are a child to 2 people and I'm hoping that they gave you exactly what you needed as a child and still do (age depending). Keep your chin up love and walk proud. You sound like a wonderful person. 😊✌🏾
You’re definitely MORE of a somebody than a bunch of the TRUE nobodies that clamor for all the limelight in this crazy mixed up world, friend! STAY GOLDEN!!!😎👍🏿
Please continue to share your love for books, you could be the gateway for someone to explore a book they wouldn't have considered before. With so much choice of content (media, books, music, film, shows) it is more and more valuable to hear other peoples favourites and why. As someone who passionately hated reading throughout the majority of my life, once I discovered the value/joy of reading i've been searching more and more for books to read. Primarily through recommendations. Often it is from a list like your reading challenge where a book may catch my interest, maybe it takes me seeing a book title or hearing it be spoke about a few times before it pulls me in. If not for lists like yours and many others there are countless books that I would have never known even existed. Ideas and stories are worth sharing. If a particular sentiment needs to be critiqued then let it be critiqued, some world views are worth challenging. Any given author is susceptible to human shortcomings. It's the journey and exploration of ideas and stories that pushes us further as a species as a whole. I think the more people share how much they love reading, the more people are attracted to take up reading as a hobby! That cant be a bad thing, right?
As a 41 year old who is far from an 'intellectual', I much appreciated your reading list. My family didn't value education so I find myself playing catch-up on important aspects of life. Thank you for sharing your journey and thoughts :)
29 year old here, same experience for me! I'm also not from an intellectual background. Was born into a lower class family, experienced poverty my entire life and it's been tough to see the many stones put in the way of people who haven't been born into privilege, networks, influence and inheritance. I am my own role model, have no one to pull me up, so I am also playing a lot of catch-up. Thanks for sharing!
Letting us experience deep exploration of many quality books - this series of videos is already amazing. ❤ Most of these books weren't covered in school, or were covered VERY superficially. ^^ I love the format - not a reading of the book, not a too short summary where the most relavant story arcs aren't even dealt with. Lex, it's great. 🏆
@@ZaphaQas long as you have loving parents that showed it you’re a leg up on a ton of dysfunctional people like myself. Middle class fam but was neglected among other things. Abuse isn’t always physical or even verbal. Unfortunately there’s a lot of ways to abuse. Love is the answer and I sure hope I’m able to express mine to a family of my own one day. Time flies and I’m getting older. So it’s time to get over the shit my parents inflicted on me.. stay positive and keep checking things off the goal list🍻
As a retired English teacher, I was thrilled that you insightfully discussed 1984 by George Orwell. I also enjoyed your conversations about Dostoevsky's novels. You're quite the Renaissance man, and it's a pleasure to listen to you and see the internet used for productive purposes. Bravo!
@@alejandroungaro4488 Oh, there's that stigmatic word that the right has used to create yet another fearful enemy. Oh let's all run away, run away! I'll bet you don't even know what it means.
I just found your podcast. 53 yr old woman. I truly enjoyed your reveiw and was inspired to reread it myself. Thank you. Please continue, if you do not put yourself out there you may not be found and refind yourself.
Man to hear that you got "mocked" and purposely misrepresented for sharing your booklist for the new year with the world is just heartbreaking, its so sad, you deserve all of the love that exists on this planet for doing the things that you are doing! Much Love from switzerland, from a friend you do not know
There's a lot of people who've decided lex is a bad person for some of the criticism he's had of those in power so regardless of what he does or doesn't do, they're be a group there to yell hate at him. Very sad state of affairs in our world. Politics has become everything. Any form of dissent makes you an enemy, it's a cult.
I read 1984 on my own when I was 16 almost right after reading Brave New World. Both of those books gave me a lot of understanding of how societies are controlled by powers. Even though they portray extremes, they are very graphic. I read them both as an adult years after and still find them fascinating, maybe even more than before, as I now understand a lot more of geopolitics and history. A lot of high school books are masterpieces that will remain masterpieces when you read them decades later. Screw the haters Lex. You are very necessary in this world!
Both highly influential and thought provoking books, that when already at an early age can give the world a certain perspective, however as you said when read again at an older age give new meaning and views. I read then again recently after reading in my teens, valuable books and amazing foresight by the authors.
Brave new world got it right we give away our freedoms fighting and censoring each other seeking small pleasures dont need the goverment to do it we do it to ourselves
Lex, Please don’t allow the small amount of critics censor yourself from your fans. Your joy and love for life is infectious and the ripple affect you’re unable to see through comments. Please continue sharing!!!
Lex, I'm a great grandmother. I'm not the biggest brain in the world however, however I understand you and what you share. I am picking about trusting. I respect you. Love is the answer and I wish people could could see, understand, realize how big love really is. Thank you reading all the complex stuff. Your effort gives me a gift. You educate so many of us who might not be able to get the "advantage" of university but are still capable of learning and thinking critically. May you be blessed.
Lex, I can't understate how much I appreciate everything you do here on RUclips. I did the numbers in my head (roughly), some of your interviews I've re-listened to so many times I've spent more time with them than I do talking with my spouse in a year. I count it among my blessings to have come across a person such as yourself and that would not have happened without you putting some of your life on public display. So thank you and god fortsättning, as everyone keeps telling me
Hope your spouse doesn't watch his content to see this comment.😁 Actually maybe if they did watch you'd have something to talk about. However your comment about Lex was touching 💜
I am loving your response to the mockery - being vulnerable and not retaliating at all ❤ what a great example you set! Please do more videos like this!
Brilliantly said. A couple of fools on here called Lex weak. How ignorant they are. Lex is a shining example of what it is to be a fantastic human. Vulnerability is the epitome of strength.
I haven't ever wanted to like a video more times in one watch than this one. It hit so many connection points for me intellectually and also emotionally. Thank you for this amazing balance of warmth, competence and vulnerability that helps us all reflect and grow.
Some of these takes people are having about the list of books Lex is planning to read are so wild to me. Yes, we all read 1984 as teenagers. I read it when I was maybe 14 or 15? I got out of it exactly what you would expect a teenager in public school to get out of it. I'm 30 now. My brain has developed, my thought processes have changed. The world has changed. What you take out of reading any book as an adult who has experienced a little bit of life is so drastically different than what you might as a child. The themes of 1984 are important ones and it's worth reading at various points in your life.
I have read 1984 as a teen, then in my late 20’s and in my Sixties. We are creeping toward State control. Thank God for Elon Musk. He has opened the door towards Freedom. I hope people will wake up.
I absolutely love Lex's willingness to talk about love, emotions, & the line between good and evil that runs through every man. This series is starting off so strong I cannot wait to see Lex take on the rest of these books
One of my favorite books of all time, explained by my absolute favorite podcast host. Honestly, everything about this is episode an enormous gift (thanks Santa). Lex's search for truth and love and beauty, his need to understand human nature and evil, his brilliance and calm, kind manner - all of this, gives me so much hope. thank you so much.
Hey all, I want to share a few experiences I've had,. A few years ago I prayed to God in Repentance then begged for help with all my heart, "I was until then an Atheist." I then had a dream of Jesus coming before God and he spoke of the Tabernacle in Perfect context, "A word I didn't know existed because I never read the bible", and the love I felt from Jesus was unlike Anything I've ever felt before - A Lifetime of joy every second - It brought me to sobbing and it changed my life, forever. I've had other miracles since, a few being a light turning on in answer to needful prayer over 12 times, having a dream of something called the Higgs Boson after asking God how the universe works, "While not knowing what this was", seeing a orb of light hours before a major surgery, seeing an Angel in a dream the night my mother prayed for me to see one, "Without telling me", and over 30 pages of documented miracles. Know that God and Jesus ARE real and that they love us deeply. Let go of your Pride & Hatred and Imagine yourself holding the people who've hurt you. Tell them you love and forgive them and I believe we should do our best to follow the 10 commandments. I believe that Love for God and One Another, IS, The Answer.
I really enjoyed your video. I read 1984 many years ago, in my thirties. I was affected by it so much, I immediately read it again - twice in a month. I must now reconnect with that old friend and read it again. I’m hundreds of miles from home on business and listening to this video before breakfast this morning has made me feel less remote from ‘my world’, Thank you, Will
The way you mentioned how making the reading list and challenge public made you feel vulnerable and hurt mirrors how I feel about love: Yes love is risky and puts you in a vulnerable place, but only you yourself can decide if it was worth it. Yes, others might ridicule you for your list but as you said yourself those books and experiences are like meeting old (dead) friends. Nobody can take that away from you
Most people aren't aware of anything but lust, which is NOT love. Love implies a connection, which requires action, and care. 2 things that the human race has abandoned recently.
I read this at 14, it was for a school assignment, this was my teacher's favourite book and he was very passionate about it. He told me; "If you read this book and understand it like I do, you may keep it." I went to work and read from it everyday. It was a copy printed in 1984 coincidentally so it was not an easy read, however. I finished it and my teacher interrogated me and when he was done he was silent, wrote a small message in the book for me to read when I graduated. I think it's my favourite possession.
@@goodyeoman4534 You can look at the statistics, the majority of teachers live in poverty. College/University professors on the other hand actually get paid well.
If only lex would have kept this going. I loved his convo with jbp where they just talk about Dostoevsky immediately for 20 minutes. Bring it back lex!! Love you
I just Finished 1984 today. I read it because of your list, and also gave myself a goal to read 1 book a month..I thought it was a great story and I’ve been finding myself thinking about similarity in todays society.I’m 35 and have never came across it up until your list. I hear most people took it in high-school but I was in a tech school for most my HS years. Thank you Lex. I feel you inspire ALOT of people to be a better version of themselves no matter at what level they are in their life.
If you enjoyed 1984, you might like this book by Sinclair Lewis - IT CAN'T HAPPEN HERE. This is a quick overview : "It Can't Happen Here is a 1935 dystopian political novel by American author Sinclair Lewis. It describes the rise of a United States dictator similar to how Adolf Hitler gained power." Sinclair Lewis is the first American Author to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature.
My Dad had a copy . I was reading above my age level . I turned 10 in 1984 and has read 1984?and animal farm at 7/8. Approaching 1984 I got very scared.
just finished as well and I also have the same goal as yours for 12 books this year. What will you read next? Orwell’s way of describing things brought a sense of nostalgia and relatedness as I read 1984
Lex, please keep doing this! What you're doing this actually encouraging people to start reading and it'll be for the betterment of our future! Thank you for doing this.
Gosh, I had no idea you did book reviews! I just found this, and it's 6 months old. I'm SO GLAD you did this. I'm sharing it with several of my friends in hopes they understand what's happening in our world today. As for your critics, I can't imagine someone wanting you to fail. Lex, you're a dear soul. Who knows what's behind their desire to mock your fulfilling pursuit of reading. I suspect it's a reflection of something lacking in their psyche and, in fact, nothing to do with you. As for your reading list, I didn't see Alexander Solzhenitsyn's The First Circle. For years that was my favorite book.
sadly, this program was just 'mumbo-jumbo' about 'totalitarianism' ( 100% in-cohesive blabbling ... :-) ) - there was no premise, there was no debate, and there was NO CONCLUSION - or even clearly stated thought direction ... ( and BTW Friedman is WRONG - in USA - only the Lefty Democrats wants the '1984' = UNIONISM, GLOBALISM, COMMUNISM ... ) - the Republicans, with all their 'faults' and 'warts' , still believe in the INDIVIDUALISM, the INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS ... ergo ipso NO TOTALIRIANISM ! 🙂
Don’t stop with those book reviews. You’re an inspiration for many. What better is there in this world than being able to inspire people to read and think? It can only make the world a better place. So thank you for that. As for the haters, I really wonder what’s up with some people nowadays. There must be a lot of people who are deeply unhappy with their own lifes to express their anger towards a reading list of a great human being.
Lex I think it was excellent that you published that reading list. The fact that some people find value in tweeting ridicule that your list included books that are sometimes read by people in high school merely reflects poorly on them. Your list encouraged me and others with reminders of books we have read and want to return to and of others that I can pick up for the first time to gain new knowledge and inspiration.
Yeah there was a lot of intellectual snobbery. Lex has spent time learning coding and things, more than reading these literature books. The snobs look down upon that. Fuck em
I wish I could give you a hug! I know that feeling of sharing something that means a lot to you and having a crowd of people react negatively. Your point about re-reading books and their meaning changing and growing over time really hit home. You’re a gem Lex! Don’t let them get to you ❤ and please, keep sharing book videos. I really enjoyed this one!
i read 1984 at 17 and 30 and again just 2 days ago. i read 'dancing wu li masters' every 2-3 years since i was 21, im 62 now. i re-read a lot, i've read the bible more times than i could count.whats wrong with re-reading interesting books?
@@justaguy-69at 15 I would not read a book, my father, an English teacher, gave me Borstal Boy it worked I became a reader big time, I have read it at least 10 times. I'm 73.
Lex huge thanks,you are making huge steps,I love your interviews but doing a essay style like this is awesome. You're one of the few I respect and you've more than earned it.
I can’t imagine being on the receiving end of a response of that level. Especially, from people you look up to and respect. Im glad it didn’t kill your spirit for reading, just pivoted on what books you share for reading since people can be way too serious and critical. Thanks for sharing that piece of you and connecting with us who appreciated it. Really enjoyed your takeaways on this book.
Thank you, Lex, for this podcast episode! I remember reading 1984, Animal Farm, and Lord of the Flies in school and, 50+ years later, realize that I didn't understand those books at all. Thank you for loving your audience enough to share this part of yourself with us.
This video popped up into my feed a month or two ago and I remember watching the first 4 minutes and immediately wanting to read this book despite being 20 and never having finished a book before. I closed the video and ordered it online. Today I finished the book and came back to hear your thoughts on the book. Hearing you talking about the negative feedback you got for encouraging your viewers to read breaks my heart. You inspired hundreds if not thousands to read their first book or to start reading again. Now I just ordered A Brave New World and I’m super exited to read it. You’re making a difference in the world Lex. Thank you so much for inspiring me to read and for inspiring me to be a better human.
@MichaelLawrenceMagic Lots of people don't read books. Even before the internet, there were a majority that didn't read books. My first book was "The Amazing Adventures of Chilly Billy" Had i not read comics I probably wouldn't have become n avid reader. Even I find it hard these days to read books since having the internet inside this little hand held portal. So please only encourage the fella to keep reading. 1984 is a major 1st book. I only commend the lad.
@@MichaelLawrenceMagicnever finished a book. I’ve obviously read school books. When I say I’ve never finished a book I mean a book I’ve read for pleasure.
One of the brightest young minds of today. Please don’t stop what you’re doing, or most importantly - how you’re doing it. There are always going to be miserable, rotten apples - they’ll deteriorate in their own miserableness, or will get permanent angry wrinkles on their miserable faces. You’re touching millions of people who see you in the best possible light. A handful of rotten ones don’t mean a thing!
As a lifelong, 65 year old, reader, I am so grateful for your challenge to (re)read the classics. I love a goal! I have enjoyed this video and your insights into 1984. Thank you. I cannot imagine why anyone would think to criticize another for suggesting a reading list of classics! Obviously, they may have issues. Do not let their issues become yours. Keep doing what you are doing. Please. I'm on week 5...Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. I plan to keep going until your list is exhausted. Much love!
So wierd. I also am 65, an avid reader, since I work for a military industrial major company, for 15 years now. I have read all different books over that period. Recently I to was thinking of reading all the classics. Have to look the up. However, I started with Moby Dick. Its a hard read. I finished a book called, The Last Chair Lift, which the grandmother always read, and reread, Moby Dick to the grandson.
Marcus Aurelius was ahead of his time. As being one of the five good Caesars I think the greatest thing he ever did for people was to write his thoughts, we're lucky they've made it nearly a millenia thru time.
I love how you said “silly little video at the end”, like it wasn’t a great and honest interpretation of a great book, but also a moment of vulnerability that not many people would attempt with this level of profoundness. Love you Lex
We love you brother! Don't let the haters turn you off from sharing your love of books with the world. We are blessed to live in a time with as much literacy as we do have. I'm with you, and I'm sure that a lot of us watching you are too.
As a person with autism, I have always found solace in reading. There is something about losing myself in a book that helps me to feel grounded and at peace. So when I discovered George Orwell's 1984, I was immediately drawn in by its haunting depiction of a dystopian society. At first, I related to the main character, Winston, and his struggles to fit in and conform to a society that didn't seem to understand him. Like Winston, I have often felt like an outsider, and I understood the desire to rebel against the rules and expectations that seemed so constricting. But as I continued to read, I was struck by the ways in which the society in 1984 sought to control and manipulate its citizens. The constant surveillance and propaganda were particularly unsettling to me, as they reminded me of the difficulties I have faced in trying to navigate a world that doesn't always seem to make sense to me. Despite the bleakness of the novel, I found hope in Winston's ultimate rebellion against the oppressive government. His refusal to give in to their demands, even in the face of great adversity, was inspiring to me. It reminded me that no matter how difficult life may seem, it is always possible to find the strength to stand up for what we believe in.
Have you read "we" by Yevgeny Zamyatin? It is by far my favorite book, and based on your comments you may enjoy it too. Get the translation by Natasha Randall if you do.
Definitely, PLEASE, keep making these book club videos. :) I love hearing your thoughts on literature. This one was awesome. I don’t think any of these books are “basic”; the only reason they’re called that is because they’re so ubiquitous, which is because they’re so timeless and profound. All the haters are just stepping on you in a sad attempt to feel better about themselves. Twitter is a hellhole. I’m sorry you have to deal with all the nonsense, you have a lot of people who love you. Don’t back down, even on something “small” like this.
The most ridiculous think about claiming these are "high-school reading level" is the implication that you can't get anything out of these stone-cold classics further than what you did when you were a teenager who was forced to read them to get a good grade
Lex, your openness to books and ideas and your transparency about it are admirable and can inspire others to learn, think and speak up. Do not pay the mockers any attention! Thanks for your videos!
I will admit this left me with a tear in my eye. Firstly, because of how beautifully you convey your thoughts to us. Then also some regret on my part that I have fallen out of the life enriching habit of reading, I am so sorry that you received such negativity aimed at this wonderful goal of yours. But at the end of the day you have left me with a quiet determination to explore a part of the beguiling choice of meaningful and interesting books out there. Thank you, this was so inspiring 👌
Lex is one of the last wise people existing on this soul sucking hell we call the internet. He isnt willing to admit how wise he really is which shows humility and understanding of himself.
I felt this within ME and I'M BEYOND FRUSTRATED TIRED AND THE DEPRESSION IT CAUSES IT JUST SO COLD CRUEL AND MEAN I FEEL FROM THE INTERNET'S EXISTENSE EXISTS IN, I HATE IT HATE HATE HATE IT. I WOULD CHANGE EVERYTHING ALL IN ONE INSTANT FOR REAL WHOLEHEARTEDLY ITS NOT A TOUGH THING TO DO WHEN OR IF YOU WERE A GENUINE LOVING INDIVIDUAL.
As someone that was born abroad and that didn’t go to school in the west i never read Many of the books in your list, i did read 1984 though but never had the chance to talk about it with anyone… this video was a huge benefit for me, many of the things you focused on i didn’t reflect on while reading the book, like the quote about following the small rules to break the big one as an example … i really appreciated this video and your take on this legendary book, this video made me reflect on it from your perspective and makes me want to read it a second time with a fresh outlook … people that judged your list are what’s wrong with this world and the academic elitism … i’m an electrician never been to university, a modestly self educated foreigner and i didn’t read many books i was busy making ends meet from a young age however i do want to hear about the classics and the abc’s and they can kiss my behind
Hey all, I want to share a few experiences I've had,. A few years ago I prayed to God in Repentance then begged for help with all my heart, "I was until then an Atheist." I then had a dream of Jesus coming before God and he spoke of the Tabernacle in Perfect context, "A word I didn't know existed because I never read the bible", and the love I felt from Jesus was unlike Anything I've ever felt before - A Lifetime of joy every second - It brought me to sobbing and it changed my life, forever. I've had other miracles since, a few being a light turning on in answer to needful prayer over 12 times, having a dream of something called the Higgs Boson after asking God how the universe works, "While not knowing what this was", seeing a orb of light hours before a major surgery, seeing an Angel in a dream the night my mother prayed for me to see one, "Without telling me", and over 30 pages of documented miracles. Know that God and Jesus ARE real and that they love us deeply. Let go of your Pride & Hatred and Imagine yourself holding the people who've hurt you. Tell them you love and forgive them and I believe we should do our best to follow the 10 commandments. I believe that Love for God and One Another, IS, The Answer.
3:40 O'Brien didn't lie when he said he was part of the Brotherhood, I think. It mad eme think that he, along with all members of the inner party, are all part of the Brotherhood. It's all Doublethink: the Inner Party is the Brotherhood and also is against the Brotherhood.
Each school has different reading requirements. I am a graduate student and still haven't read 1984 due to the simple fact of it being not taught in my high school. Your video is an inspiration to me to finally read it and go deeper than the surface-level synopsis that I already know. I look forward to the next video.
@@paulbyrne6388 The point is alot of people really only read things assigned to them. It's actually very common, and even if it's a book at a middle school level it's better for someone to read than to not. Honestly illiteracy is a much bigger problem here in America than most people think and one of my former coworkers had some one laugh in his face because he just read one of the Harry Potter books. He was close to 40 and it was basically the only book he had read "for fun" or on his own. In my opinion that's kind of screwed up isn't it? Long story short I don't see the point in picking on people for their reading habits or lack thereof.
@@yepyepyep170 I also fondly remember this book, it wasn't the first time life showed me how uncaring it can be, but it was the first time I saw it in print. I'm a bit less of a pessimistic person now even with all the crap, but it was such a strong feeling and still is.
I’ve noticed that none of the dystopian literature is read in schools anymore. In fact Shakespeare is completely left out in our schools. I’ve asked many kids of varied age if they’ve read them and none say they have. I guess it’s obvious why lol. Don’t show the manuals of your intended future in some cases.
Lex, I’ve only been following your podcast for a couple months now. I am refreshed by your humanity and faith in love and pursuit of truth on many levels. It hurt my heart to see your reaction to people being critical of you for the simple act of wanting to read books you love, or books you enjoy, or books that have made you think, or books that have helped you evolve…or all of these things and more. Please know that, while some of these people you respect have criticized you, to many more people you don’t know and will never meet, what you do matters and helps us explore and find deeper meaning in this world. Please don’t stop doing what you love and have the courage of your convictions to share it with the vastly larger community that respects and admires you.
yeeeeeahhh .... reminds one of the time i gave all money, every last cent and every last of my muscle cars and tibidabo mansions to a african kids charity... so many people m o c k e d me for it that i had to go on national tv and c o m p l a i n about all the peiople mocking me for all my magnaminous saintly munificience.. if only so many had not ridiculed my massive l o v e i would never have had to go on prime time tv to talk about my endless virtue of generosity to the world's poor.... aaaahhh poor me .. somebody looooove me pleeeeeese??!
I finished reading 1984 for the first time today. I enjoyed this review so much. Thanks for uncovering so much about 1984 I was too dumb to figure out on my own. I’m saddened to hear perhaps you won’t continue these reviews and insights in future. this video made me love the book even more, I appreciate your time. Thank you Lex.
i am so grateful that you exist lex im a med student studying all day but when i take my breaks i either eat work out read berserk or look at your content im so damn grateful and happy that you once decided to do this youtube thing and do it extremely well i'm so grateful for your passion for bringing us wisdom and trying to bring it with the least amount of bias you helped me for my world view and confirmed my love for humanity and its ability to do good. I hope we will ever meet.
Hi Lex, I know it isn't as easy to take the positive messages as seriously as the negative ones but I just hope you know how many people you inspire through not only your work in academia and podcasting but also as a man who's willing to be vulnerable in front of many people. I think the reason why your audience is so attracted to your work is because we can relate to the things you speak on in many ways. You aren't afraid to speak about things like love, sadness, fear, motivation etc. Topics in which many of us have trouble understanding on a deeper level. I personally really enjoy that you share parts of your life like informing your audience of the books you're choosing to read this year. I don't understand the criticism and i'm sure it's difficult for you to absorb some of the positive feedback because sometimes the negative ones will always hurt more than the positive messages feel good. I'm excited to see what your work in 2023 and i'm very excited to hear about your feedback on the books you're going to read.
You are shining a light on literature that has potentially never crossed the fresh mind of someone just beginning a journey of reading. Keep doing your thing Lex, you're doing god's work.
This is one of my favourite videos of yours. I'm glad you made it! I really enjoyed the way you articulated your observations about the book. I've never been on Twitter but from what I've heard it doesn't really seem like any level or criticism (or even praise) from that forum should be given much weight or credibility. I used to read for 2-4 hours a day but completely fell out of love with it during a bad phase of my life. Whatever happened, I haven't actually read a book in 10 years, but this video has inspired me to pick one and finish it. In fact, I may even go as far as to re-read 1984 which I haven't read since I was forced to read it in school. Your comments about that really resonated with me. I would love for you to continue sharing your passion for reading. This video is fantastic!
Thank you Lex! I have been putting 1984 on the back burner for too many years now and this video was the encouragement to finally read it! Please don't stop these book reviews!
Letting us experience deep exploration of many quality books - this series of videos is already amazing. ❤ Most of these books weren't covered in school, or were covered VERY superficially. ^^ I love the format - not a reading of the book, not a too short summary where the most relavant story arcs aren't even dealt with. Lex, it's great. 🏆
It's kind of rough to see Lex get hounded. A great human being, with an open mind and a true kindness and brotherly love being ridiculed for being open. Lex don't give in to the hivemind, don't let it change the things you would like to do. I am very excited about your book series, hope you keep it public and share the journey with us.
Omg, which prominent figures in particular criticised Lex for the book list? That's so sad😔he seems genuinely hurt! I'm sorry his New Year mood was ruined by this.
@@jubjub7406 I went to have a look on Twitter and I -hardly saw anything- saw nothing of any concern - in fact most people are supportive just a few people think it’s not the greatest reading list. Are people really that easily bruised these days, my God everything is such a crisis and disaster isn’t it? Oh my God no not disagreement oh no oh no oh no not disagreement!
Your thoughts and insights into 1984 are a real treat/gift. It is powerful and I love your determination that there must be a motivation of hope and love beyond the rebellion. Thank you for this Lex.
"My philosophy is: What people say about me is none of my business. I am who I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. And that makes life easier.-- We live in a world where funerals are more important than the deceased, marriage is more important than love, looks are more important than the soul. We live in a packaging culture that despises content." Sir Anthony Hopkins
Their attacking you and your list just allowed you to share your love of the books with us twice. What a gift. Your 'silly little video'...you have no idea just how big this was to me. Thank you. ♥
I’ve read 1984 several times many years ago and it was great to revisit it through your eyes. Please don’t stop! Your book discussions are at the top of my pod cast list and I listen to many other brilliant people.
Plz don't stop this, Lex ~ I wouldn't have gone through this seminal work if it weren't for you. Plus, you're essentially making the largest book club in history! Also, this analysis of 1984 really helped me find more words and connections than i might have made otherwise and I appreciate that greatly. I understand if you aren't up to the heavy workload and/or the ridiculous spite you get for absolutely no reason, and i won't feel let down if you decide to keep this hobby private. Thank you.
Lex, I am a voracious reader and learner and am quite picky about the podcasts I listen to. You are at the top of my list. Thank you for your genuine curiosity and humility. I love smart people that are smart enough to know that they don’t know everything. Keep up the amazing work and ignore the haters!
Thank you so much! When I heard a presentation of 1984 in high school it sounded like a depressing nightmare which did not motivate me to ever have a look at it. You really manage to bring light into this remarkable opus and enable the listener to get a deeper understanding of the profound message one can find in it.
This book has lived large in my mind, especially in recent years. I'm so delighted to see Lex covering it!!! GREAT POINT: "What better is there in this world than being able to inspire people to read and think?" If anonymous trolls/bot farms spew hate, it's because you're doing something right and important. They are clapping and shouting for you.
Data point: At the end of 2020, searching RUclips for the i-medicine by name would turn up only a few videos from Indonesia. Everything else was hidden from search results/shadowbanned. We are living in this dystopia. Data point: This comment has "2 replies" but only @zigatretjak75's is visible*. I suppose it could be spam filtering, but I see my own comments filtered/shadow-banned too often on RUclips to be under the delusion that it's just that. *Update: 4/5 visible now.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to share this human experience at the same time as Lex. Lex is a gift to us all. I hope he does this with all 50 books.
Lex - your contributions go BEYOND anything I ever experienced.. in a long life as a caring physician living in a tiny spot named Germany.. let my thanks to your bright mind .. and the bright minds you bring on here in long talks .. let this THANK YOU go beyond all words.
My 94 year old dad recenly told my 62 year old self to never grow old. We enjoy laughing and sharing our encounters in this life together. And believe me he has some of the most incredible stories! He had a total knee replacement in December. I stayed with him in the hospital and for several weeks afterwards. He's healing well and can hardly wait to get back to work. We plan to do some traveling when he has healed up enough to do so. Lex never grow old, keep sharing who you are, and most importantly LOVE! I enjoy listening to you. Usually you are interviewing someone. This was different and I like it! Happy New Year!
Lex, can't say that i know you since this is a youtube comment; but cannot state how much of a positive influence you are to myself (and probably many more) in these strange times we're living in. Like yourself, I've always seen books as messages from long-gone friends. Even though they're gone, they continue to bring nuance, of either consolidating or destabilising nature, to the thoughts I nurture passively, when going about my day. And like any good friends, they deserve time allocated and a striving to understand them better, just like we all are when watching your clips. Although I never comment as I imagine this will be lost in the ether, do know that there is at least one person appreciating content that is solely your mind on the youtube canvas. Like Socrates, you seem to possess a gift far greater than knowledge, which is your affability (and I would like to believe objectiveness of input as a by-product) to gather information from possible future giants. Thank you for your service to knowledge, and the spread of it - which is why I personally hope to hear more of your free-thoughts and see this unleashed authenticity as per this clip. Keep the flame for knowledge alive and many thanks!
I could not have possibly put this any better myself. As I make my way through Meditations to try to keep up with your list Lex, I find myself repeatedly hoping against hope that you decide to continue posting your thoughts on these books. Please find it in yourself to disregard the negativity!
I can’t express enough how hard it is to genuinely expose your inner self and getting hurt at scale. I want support Lex in this endeavour and wish keep going because it’s amazing, and it gives ordinary people like myself so much value out of it. Thank you, Lex
That's, my friend, is how you give a further step on helping the community around you. Young or old, educated or not. This list and this work helps us to share the same references and be part of a broader conversation. Left, right, alive, dead, there's no limmits. And this is wonderful. Thank you!
First book summarized that I've seen by you, and it is truly inspiring. I doubt you'll ever read my comment Lex but I have to say that I've only been listening to you for a little while, however you've already helped to pull me out of the depressive funk that I have been stuck in for months. I have struggled for a long time with self esteem issues partially relating to my intelligence, or lack thereof... but your podcasts have reminded me of my passion for curiosity. I have not felt so curious in a long time. I almost forgot what it felt like to care about anything at all. Hearing you speak about the love there is in your heart for everyone helped me to understand that I deserve to be loved and to love myself, despite my flaws. Your passion for introducing new ideas and authors and philosophers and experts and... and your passion for just being compassionate... is unlike anything I've ever seen in mainstream media. I suppose that's the teacher in you. If I had had more teachers like you growing up, I would be in a very different place right now. Anyway, sorry for the rant, I hope it's sensical and that I am able to get across to you what I'm trying to say, and I hope you read this. Peace and love, my friend who I have never met.
Your comment is touching. Forget about your teachers or parents or anyone else that "had they been like Lex" ~~ because every day is just a time-frame in our lives ~~ our school years or 'past lives/jobs/marriages, etc. are just larger time-frames. Everyone that steps into our lives is a teacher; the lesson is in 'our take of them' and also in our reaction. Beware my friend, for in you is the teacher too. Take time for the people who meet you, who cross your path.
Please continue to share your readings with your audience. Small minds criticize for criticism’s sake - a little bit like torture for torture’s sake, or power for power’s sake - as you were saying in this video. Much love is directed at you, Lex, because of your pure heart. The rest is noise.🌱
You spoke about the value of love during adversity. It seems to me that reading a book acts as both a source and a transformation of love for you. If you think of it this way, by allowing yourself to be vulnerable-or honest, as you put it-the love you’ve gathered from various sources becomes a fortress, strong enough to withstand criticism, even from those you respect. I suppose, in a way, I’m pleading with you to continue making videos like this, as long as it doesn’t take you away from other important sources of love. I would assume it’s obvious to many that your level of critical thinking about the subject matter in a book is incredibly helpful and immensely valuable to those still striving to reach the same level of insight on their own.
I love the way you analyze the book and your thoughts about it. This is how all novels should be analyzed at school and without a doubt what Orwell wanted when he wrote it.
You can't please everyone. I have tremendous respect for the brutal honesty, openness, and consequently vulnerability you show to the millions of people who listen to your insights. It's hard to not let people's vitriol get to you when you read comments. That said, please know that the rare qualities you display in your videos, whether alone or interviewing someone, are a breath of fresh air
Huge thanks for your deeply thoughtful interventions. Speaking of "Technology" as being a double-edge sword being used either as a tool for totalitarian states to control populations, or as a tool for freedom such as internet, A.I, etc... is an a priori reduction (or lack of awareness) of the role of the doers/makers to the projections, of their intent (in-tension) from which perception results - and which we call our reality. In other words, 'technology' in this example is nothing in and of itself, being at once indeterminate, neutral, inert, and being but assemblage of "things" that have also no meaning in themselves, except : in "specified contexts" and according/conforming to the intention or purpose for which it has been made. Everything here being purposive, nothing (including us) individually makes any sense per se, except for whom the purpose of their 5 sense perception and decision is being made manifest. (Decision literally means to stop the split in the mind in order to move to one or another direction of the duality). Thus for example: Technology = non-specific generalisation of "scientific progress in any field or domain", FIRE = Cooking a steak or burning at the stake, TOOL MAKING = for helping and healing or for maiming & killing. This serves to disclose or highlight that anything at all on this plane of existence (Earth) is but potential and remains non-sensical, meaningless, useless and even non-existent, save for the mind that decides to do or make something by addition and transformation of 'things' into something else by means of thought process or ideas, plus the will and intention which translates into "What-for?", (whether consciously or unconsciously and unaware of ensuing consequences). In fine, it does seem that the major stumbling block is our ignorance of the Reality of which we are a part and our erroneous belief that we are special, different, separate and more or better than anyone else.
Lex Fridman, it's inspiring your courage and passion to show your read list to the world. I'm relatively new to your channel. However, the small amount of months that I've been listening to your videos, created a big admiration for the person that you are, for your beautiful and unique way of thinking, the passion that you have for seeking knowledge and, most importantly, your pursue of the truth, especially in a world full of noise. I'm grateful for your videos! I learn a lot from your deeper and interesting questions, it makes me want to exercise my critical thought. Besides, watching you brings me nostalgia for good moments a couple of months ago when I used to walk through South Kensington back in London listening to your conversation with Illya, Yann LeCun, and many other great minds. Those conversations frequently sparked something good inside of me, a sense of curiosity, a sense of excitement, and hope for the future. On the topic of this video, I do agree with your point of view: love is what helps us overcome oppressive forces, it's what allows us to find who we are, helps us develop a sense of empathy for other beings, and understand that everybody goes through difficult moments in life. Well, it allows us to have hope and dream for a better future, a post-world free of oppressive forces. A future full of love and where truth, The Truth, wins over all the noisy ideas that try to set us apart. So thank you very much for bringing the discussion about this scary, yet thought-provoking book. On a last note, it is quite interesting to see your interviews and I admire how you always have interesting questions to ask and you always manage to talk about anything! But I do want you to know that it was quite enjoyable the style of the video here. I felt more deeply connected with the beautiful human being that you are, your authenticity shined. I know that my opinion is probably not worth a lot. Still, it was a lovely video! Thank you very much for your time to produce it. P.S. Apologies for the long text and bad English. I just wanted to show my gratitude for the content that you produce!
I truely hope lex gives us more of this type of content! Even if it gets slightly lower views, i think it does wonders to those of us who want to continue to grow and expand our understanding of life and i think there couldnt be a better person than lex to help deconstruct the thought experiments that the authors are trying to convey.
Keep up your courageous work. My husband won the student of the year at university for an English Literature Degree, and he thinks that your reading list is an excellent representation of some of the best books the world has to offer. I'm sure you know Kipling's poem "If". Read it to yourself again, as it describes you. We truly admire your intelligence, intellect, knowledge, humility and courage. Your influence stretches across the globe (we are in Australia) and you have many devoted followers.
As a ass who commented that you were rereading. I really appreciate this. I haven't read this book since I was younger and your quotes on Julia were something I forgot. You inspired me to reread this. I appreciate this . The world def need to revisit these more
For sure, Lex's mind and his interpretation of this book has brought up ideas that I had, with a fresh insight, and a new perspective on parts of it, that I had not even considered before. We are very fortunate to have this man dedicate so much time to our screens and minds. He could do and be almost a countless number of things in this short life, and here he is, sharing his brilliant mind with everyone who is here to listen.
Hi Lex, I’m sorry those people hurt you in regard to your books. You were just putting it out there and being vulnerable if they did that that’s on them not on you. We appreciate you being open and yourself because you’re beautiful inside and out.
Lex, you are one of the best humans on the planet. I hope you keep sharing these breakdowns and continue to be vulnerable. There are more of us that need you than ones who want to bring you down.
As a dyslexic who could not read till 13 years old this was one of the first books I managed to read and I realised I could read if I found books that were so interesting they were impossible to put down. 1984 helped break my "catch 22" so you can imagine the impact it had on me. Your short form overview is the first time Ive revisited this book in 50 years..........still impact full, still true to this day.......thanks.
I have dyslexia too and struggle to read books but just finnished the audio book of this and was brilliant,have been getting through an audiobook every one/two weeks and its so much easyer,hope you are still reading books that grab your interest
@@deanpoole7661 It was thanks to Jules Verne, my unused libery ticket got used at the rate of 3 books a week. Suddenly I could read fast. I then went on to do all my course work and home work in 2 hours every night for 2 years and pass all my school exams at A grade. It was the Derby Institute for Dyslexia in the UK that went on and confirmed my Dyslexia some 20 years later at the same time as diagnosing my kids then aged 12 14 and 16 with Dyslexia. Over the years Ive met many Dyslexics and exchanged stories, non as tragic as a guy who at 60 years old was diagnosed after 40 years in and out of prison, it all started when one night he got arrested for taking a pee in the street when next to public toilets as he could not tell which was the mens or women's and figuring a doorway was the safest option got collared by the local police that night. So started a Yo Yo career of prison and crime.
1984 is the most profound book about living in the modern era, the challenges we all face to comprehend and resist the impulse of inhumanity and hatred from without and within. Also your reading list is a very fine one, some gems I share with you there, touchstones of a life of reading. Resist the haters Lex. BTW absolutely loved the Betul Kacar interview.
Unpacking your soul in public takes confidence. Most people appreciate how reading has enlightened your life. Book knowledge is a critical part of our complex life and can be a wonderful tutor for mankind if explored. Thank you, Lex. Be confident! Salute from Canada!
I just wanted to say how grateful I am for the content you put out Lex 🙏 I got so excited when you put out that book list and have been trying to follow along myself. You’re one of few people on the internet who truly inspire me to be a better person and I thank you for encouraging people to read. Much love 🙏
Got to say Lex you have a way of making people feel welcome, like you are a friend without people actually knowing you. This is a rare gift in Humanity because most are too scared to be themselves. Thanks for being you man. We need more folk like you. Much love Брат.
Lex, I never comment but I want to express how much I like your reading list and enjoyed this video. I wish you would do a video of every book on your list.
Thank you Lex for this heartfelt book report. You moved me to go back and reread the book. You are a beautiful soul and a wise intelligent man. Keep up the good work!
Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: lexfridman.com/sponsors/mv512-sa
See below for timestamps, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc.
0:00 - Introduction
0:00 - Intro
1:02 - 1984 world & characters
4:19 - Love
12:42 - Hate
17:21 - Power
25:56 - 1984 applied to today
47:14 - Twitter reading list drama
*CONTACT LEX:*
*Feedback* - give feedback to Lex: lexfridman.com/survey
*AMA* - submit questions, videos or call-in: lexfridman.com/ama
*Hiring* - join our team: lexfridman.com/hiring
*Other* - other ways to get in touch: lexfridman.com/contact
*EPISODE LINKS:*
Reading list: lexfridman.com/reading-list/
1984 by George Orwell (book): amzn.to/3Cxo726
*SPONSORS:*
To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts:
lexfridman.com/sponsors/mv512-sa
Perfect love does not long for perfection, it finds worth in the striving for adoration.
To perfect love it matters more how many times you fall away and return than always keeping to, or especially completely turning away from it.
Love you Lex, let's walk around the lake some time
Heart of a Dog Mikhail Bulgakov
I don't know if you are going to keep covering books, but this is honestly so cool. Thanks for doing what you do!
Please cover Flowers for Algernon
For every individual mocking your desire to read 50 something books this year, theres a whole crop of people who look forward to each of your podcasts and fall a little more in love with what you are doing. Stay you, Lex.
any such mocker is a moron and frankly only a moron would pay them any mind, not to call L a moron
My sentiments exactly
Same camp, love Lex
Agreed. Stay you, Lex! Lots of love going your way!
True. Many hate reading a few or so paragraphs in comments or messages, hate articles, let alone to read books.
Keep going Lex. I am 52 years old and have not read any of the books on your list. I absolutely loved 1984 and am half way through Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. I will continue throughout 2023 as long as you do. Without you, I would not be experiencing any of these books. Thank you, Paul.
props
Love this!
Almost same here, had only read a few... I love your challenge, I trust your judgement and it motivate me to invest the hours. Having this kind of video at the end of the week iis also a good motivation. Maybe for some book, you can discuss it with other poeple that would have read it, like Jordan Peterson ^^
@@QED_ pops
I’m from New Zealand 🇳🇿 and the two books you mention were compulsory reading in ‘English” in high schools here in the 1980’s….
Glad to see Lex keeping up with this in spite of the totally uncalled for hate he got on Twitter for encouraging people to read. Happy new year Lex, thanks for doing what you do.
what? hatred on Twitter!?
@@DaveWhoa books are blindphobic
People are dicks.
I’m not on twitter thank Jesus,he’s getting hate for encouraging people to read? And he’s reading 1984 so clearly irony is out the window for these lunatics
@Ali Can Tuncer noo waaay! Is this real? Wow. Haha I can't believe that, well actually I can. And that's sad.
Hey Lex, you don't have to defend yourself about the books you read or you didn't read. These are the people who always see the glass half empty. I didn't read most of the books in your list, and I really appreciate you sharing it with us. You motivated me to read these amazing books. Thanks for being humble and vulnerable. It makes you and your audience stronger.
I’m a 63-year-old grandmother who discovered your podcast last year and immediately became a fan. Only consider the well-meaning, constructive criticism and ignore the rest. You’re doing great and I enjoy your thoughtful interviews and interesting guests. I appreciated hearing your take on 1984, which was required reading in my English class back in 1976. Happy reading and best wishes for 2023.📚❤️
another 63 year old grandmother here ,so very glad to have discovered your podcast, thank you for putting up such inspring ccontint.
Same here
great person
I am also an old girl 64 enjoying this little wonder boy....
I'm a 67 year young fan of this incredible man...always & forever I will watch him grow..
on becoming, even greater!
I’m 71 so I win! 😂
Lex may be the most sincere, loving, honest, considerate, and eloquently confrontational person on the internet. We need more influencers willing to be vulnerable and a “devils advocate” for all sides of all arguments. Lex, thank you for what you do and what it seems you are trying to do for society. 🙏🏼
Lex has basically started an international worldwide book-club!😂
What a fantastic thing, I for one feel strangely comforted knowing that thousands of people are all reading along with me - Thank you Lex!
Thank you Lack
That's awesome.
💖💖💖💖
Yes!
Funny you mention that, pewdiepie had a book club for a year or so. It's actually what got me into reading, him reviewing the books was what really sealed it. I remember pewds doing like a 1 hour video on the republic. I'd love if lex did the same.
I’m nobody. No one will probably read this but sharing is risk. It’s genuine and appreciated. I love your podcast because I can relate. Your empathetic counter-approach respect, inquisitiveness and following the breadcrumbs of “whoa, what’s down that alley” is so refreshing I feel connected to your interviews, engaged wholly and am genuinely appreciative of your effort to entertain, invite, incite and commune. Keep it up bud. I never comment or even sign in but jeez, don’t stop. Your contribution makes me not want anything easier but to make me better. 👍🏼
Well said. Your comment was heartfelt. You are definitely a somebody. Thank you for expressing your heart. Absolutely priceless. 🙏
Please don't say that you're not important. You're no less important than Lex. Lex is a cool dude, but he has a team of experts working for him 24/7. I'm just saying that you are a child to 2 people and I'm hoping that they gave you exactly what you needed as a child and still do (age depending). Keep your chin up love and walk proud. You sound like a wonderful person. 😊✌🏾
I read your comment.
You’re definitely MORE of a somebody than a bunch of the TRUE nobodies that clamor for all the limelight in this crazy mixed up world, friend! STAY GOLDEN!!!😎👍🏿
I read your comment, and agree wholeheartedly with your sentiments.......and may you know that you are NOT a nobody!
Please continue to share your love for books, you could be the gateway for someone to explore a book they wouldn't have considered before. With so much choice of content (media, books, music, film, shows) it is more and more valuable to hear other peoples favourites and why. As someone who passionately hated reading throughout the majority of my life, once I discovered the value/joy of reading i've been searching more and more for books to read. Primarily through recommendations. Often it is from a list like your reading challenge where a book may catch my interest, maybe it takes me seeing a book title or hearing it be spoke about a few times before it pulls me in. If not for lists like yours and many others there are countless books that I would have never known even existed. Ideas and stories are worth sharing. If a particular sentiment needs to be critiqued then let it be critiqued, some world views are worth challenging. Any given author is susceptible to human shortcomings. It's the journey and exploration of ideas and stories that pushes us further as a species as a whole.
I think the more people share how much they love reading, the more people are attracted to take up reading as a hobby! That cant be a bad thing, right?
This guy is either CIA or Mossad.
Try Valis, by Philip K.Dick, judging by your profile picture and the fact that you like Lex, it should be a great read for you.
I am SO HAPPY you are covering books now! Yes!!!!
Ayyeyey
Read "pawns in the game" by william guy carr, its even better than 1984.
@Be Straight Stop
Great book to start with too
Bull shit
As a 41 year old who is far from an 'intellectual', I much appreciated your reading list. My family didn't value education so I find myself playing catch-up on important aspects of life. Thank you for sharing your journey and thoughts :)
Join the club
29 year old here, same experience for me! I'm also not from an intellectual background. Was born into a lower class family, experienced poverty my entire life and it's been tough to see the many stones put in the way of people who haven't been born into privilege, networks, influence and inheritance. I am my own role model, have no one to pull me up, so I am also playing a lot of catch-up. Thanks for sharing!
Letting us experience deep exploration of many quality books - this series of videos is already amazing. ❤
Most of these books weren't covered in school, or were covered VERY superficially. ^^
I love the format - not a reading of the book, not a too short summary where the most relavant story arcs aren't even dealt with. Lex, it's great. 🏆
@@ZaphaQas long as you have loving parents that showed it you’re a leg up on a ton of dysfunctional people like myself. Middle class fam but was neglected among other things. Abuse isn’t always physical or even verbal. Unfortunately there’s a lot of ways to abuse. Love is the answer and I sure hope I’m able to express mine to a family of my own one day. Time flies and I’m getting older. So it’s time to get over the shit my parents inflicted on me.. stay positive and keep checking things off the goal list🍻
Exactly the same, I'm 27, only started reading regularly about 2 years ago. Never looked back, I love learning now.
I have grown so fond of lex's deep and soothing monotone😂. It really helps me concentrate and take in the valuable messages he tries to convey.
In my little world Lex is the most articulate interviewer in the world
His amazing voice compels you to listen to him and hang on every word
Don’t let twitter influence your decisions my friend. A lot of us actually need and cherish videos like this. Please continue. Best wishes.
Don't worry, he has someone on the inside looking out for him
Fuck Twitter
@@christopherru100 it's not as hard as you might think. I used to read entire books in a few days
@@gotworc Try it with ADHD some time. Reading a book is like reading forty fucking books.
As a retired English teacher, I was thrilled that you insightfully discussed 1984 by George Orwell. I also enjoyed your conversations about Dostoevsky's novels. You're quite the Renaissance man, and it's a pleasure to listen to you and see the internet used for productive purposes. Bravo!
YES TEACHER, YOU SHOULD ALSO LEARN THAT THE BOOK'S PARTY, INGSOC, STANDS FOR ENGLISH SOCIALISM. SO YOU AND LEX SHOULD READ THE BOOK ONCE AGAIN.
@@alejandroungaro4488 Oh, there's that stigmatic word that the right has used to create yet another fearful enemy. Oh let's all run away, run away! I'll bet you don't even know what it means.
@@falconquest2068 Adjust your sanitary mask tighter to your eyes, kid. I couldn't care less.
@@alejandroungaro4488 Which means all you can do is post derogatory comments rather than make a valid argument. You actually make my point perfectly.
@@falconquest2068 Of course kid, 2+2 = 5, isn't it?
The fact you are doing breakdowns of your list has me so excited for the weekly releases
I just found your podcast. 53 yr old woman. I truly enjoyed your reveiw and was inspired to reread it myself. Thank you. Please continue, if you do not put yourself out there you may not be found and refind yourself.
Man to hear that you got "mocked" and purposely misrepresented for sharing your booklist for the new year with the world is just heartbreaking, its so sad, you deserve all of the love that exists on this planet for doing the things that you are doing! Much Love from switzerland, from a friend you do not know
@ʟᴇx ғʀɪᴅᴍᴀɴ man I thought Lex responded to my comment just to see that its a bot😭
There's a lot of people who've decided lex is a bad person for some of the criticism he's had of those in power so regardless of what he does or doesn't do, they're be a group there to yell hate at him. Very sad state of affairs in our world. Politics has become everything. Any form of dissent makes you an enemy, it's a cult.
He blew it way out of proportion. Criticism isn’t getting “hate” or “mocked” or “being canceled.” Was very uncharacteristic of lex tbh.
Jealously. Raised up and torn down. Always the way. Many more appreciate you☆♡
Whoa whoa what happened? For those of us who don’t participate on twitter.
I read 1984 on my own when I was 16 almost right after reading Brave New World. Both of those books gave me a lot of understanding of how societies are controlled by powers. Even though they portray extremes, they are very graphic. I read them both as an adult years after and still find them fascinating, maybe even more than before, as I now understand a lot more of geopolitics and history. A lot of high school books are masterpieces that will remain masterpieces when you read them decades later. Screw the haters Lex. You are very necessary in this world!
Both highly influential and thought provoking books, that when already at an early age can give the world a certain perspective, however as you said when read again at an older age give new meaning and views. I read then again recently after reading in my teens, valuable books and amazing foresight by the authors.
screw the haters.. .
.. Lex could get an std that way ya know 😅
Check out the 4th Reich of the rich by Des griffon
You can be sure that those books won't be available at schools for long, if they still are...
Brave new world got it right we give away our freedoms fighting and censoring each other seeking small pleasures dont need the goverment to do it we do it to ourselves
Lex, Please don’t allow the small amount of critics censor yourself from your fans. Your joy and love for life is infectious and the ripple affect you’re unable to see through comments. Please continue sharing!!!
Listened to this while working graveyard shift a few months ago, saved it to my playlist. Now listening to it again. Worth every minute
Lex, I'm a great grandmother. I'm not the biggest brain in the world however, however I understand you and what you share. I am picking about trusting. I respect you. Love is the answer and I wish people could could see, understand, realize how big love really is. Thank you reading all the complex stuff. Your effort gives me a gift. You educate so many of us who might not be able to get the "advantage" of university but are still capable of learning and thinking critically. May you be blessed.
Lex, I can't understate how much I appreciate everything you do here on RUclips. I did the numbers in my head (roughly), some of your interviews I've re-listened to so many times I've spent more time with them than I do talking with my spouse in a year. I count it among my blessings to have come across a person such as yourself and that would not have happened without you putting some of your life on public display. So thank you and god fortsättning, as everyone keeps telling me
Hope your spouse doesn't watch his content to see this comment.😁 Actually maybe if they did watch you'd have something to talk about. However your comment about Lex was touching 💜
@@mumzieof563 good advice!
@@postnutclarity7382 TY😊
Sounds depressing lol
Perhaps your spouse and you need to chat more. Sounds like comfort
I am loving your response to the mockery - being vulnerable and not retaliating at all ❤
what a great example you set! Please do more videos like this!
With your kind permission... Wouldn't it be a "natural" Orwell's Homage to Catalonia... in this Kiev-Moscow-Rome-Bizantium sad differendum of ours?
its called pass agg 101
Brilliantly said. A couple of fools on here called Lex weak. How ignorant they are. Lex is a shining example of what it is to be a fantastic human. Vulnerability is the epitome of strength.
I haven't ever wanted to like a video more times in one watch than this one. It hit so many connection points for me intellectually and also emotionally. Thank you for this amazing balance of warmth, competence and vulnerability that helps us all reflect and grow.
Some of these takes people are having about the list of books Lex is planning to read are so wild to me. Yes, we all read 1984 as teenagers. I read it when I was maybe 14 or 15? I got out of it exactly what you would expect a teenager in public school to get out of it.
I'm 30 now. My brain has developed, my thought processes have changed. The world has changed. What you take out of reading any book as an adult who has experienced a little bit of life is so drastically different than what you might as a child. The themes of 1984 are important ones and it's worth reading at various points in your life.
I have read 1984 as a teen, then in my late 20’s and in my Sixties. We are creeping toward State control. Thank God for Elon Musk. He has opened the door towards Freedom. I hope people will wake up.
I absolutely love Lex's willingness to talk about love, emotions, & the line between good and evil that runs through every man. This series is starting off so strong I cannot wait to see Lex take on the rest of these books
I couldn't agree more on both points!! And if he continue to give commentary/analysis on each one it would be freaking awesome!
One of my favorite books of all time, explained by my absolute favorite podcast host. Honestly, everything about this is episode an enormous gift (thanks Santa). Lex's search for truth and love and beauty, his need to understand human nature and evil, his brilliance and calm, kind manner - all of this, gives me so much hope. thank you so much.
Hey all, I want to share a few experiences I've had,.
A few years ago I prayed to God in Repentance then begged for help with all my heart, "I was until then an Atheist."
I then had a dream of Jesus coming before God and he spoke of the Tabernacle in Perfect context, "A word I didn't know existed because I never read the bible", and the love I felt from Jesus was unlike Anything I've ever felt before - A Lifetime of joy every second - It brought me to sobbing and it changed my life, forever.
I've had other miracles since, a few being a light turning on in answer to needful prayer over 12 times, having a dream of something called the Higgs Boson after asking God how the universe works, "While not knowing what this was", seeing a orb of light hours before a major surgery, seeing an Angel in a dream the night my mother prayed for me to see one, "Without telling me", and over 30 pages of documented miracles.
Know that God and Jesus ARE real and that they love us deeply. Let go of your Pride & Hatred and Imagine yourself holding the people who've hurt you. Tell them you love and forgive them and I believe we should do our best to follow the 10 commandments.
I believe that Love for God and One Another, IS, The Answer.
❤
I really enjoyed your video. I read 1984 many years ago, in my thirties. I was affected by it so much, I immediately read it again - twice in a month. I must now reconnect with that old friend and read it again. I’m hundreds of miles from home on business and listening to this video before breakfast this morning has made me feel less remote from ‘my world’, Thank you, Will
The way you mentioned how making the reading list and challenge public made you feel vulnerable and hurt mirrors how I feel about love: Yes love is risky and puts you in a vulnerable place, but only you yourself can decide if it was worth it. Yes, others might ridicule you for your list but as you said yourself those books and experiences are like meeting old (dead) friends. Nobody can take that away from you
The purest and ultimate act of rebellion is unconditional love. Please keep them coming Lex, they are beautiful ❤
People don't really believe this, unfortunately.
@Dunebuggy12 It's not too late for "people" to learn. We've got 11 3/4 months left in 2023.
Most people aren't aware of anything but lust, which is NOT love.
Love implies a connection, which requires action, and care. 2 things that the human race has abandoned recently.
Maybe we abandoned such connections, but we are longing for them. This longing is in an invitation to start the journey 💛
I read this at 14, it was for a school assignment, this was my teacher's favourite book and he was very passionate about it. He told me; "If you read this book and understand it like I do, you may keep it." I went to work and read from it everyday. It was a copy printed in 1984 coincidentally so it was not an easy read, however. I finished it and my teacher interrogated me and when he was done he was silent, wrote a small message in the book for me to read when I graduated. I think it's my favourite possession.
Wonderful anecdote, mate. We are missing this type of teacher, these days, I believe.
@@goodyeoman4534 we really are
@@goodyeoman4534 If teachers got paid enough to provide for their families they would have a reason to be passionate about their job.
@@dhans9662 Laughable comment. But I believe you believe it.
@@goodyeoman4534 You can look at the statistics, the majority of teachers live in poverty. College/University professors on the other hand actually get paid well.
If only lex would have kept this going. I loved his convo with jbp where they just talk about Dostoevsky immediately for 20 minutes. Bring it back lex!! Love you
I just Finished 1984 today. I read it because of your list, and also gave myself a goal to read 1 book a month..I thought it was a great story and I’ve been finding myself thinking about similarity in todays society.I’m 35 and have never came across it up until your list. I hear most people took it in high-school but I was in a tech school for most my HS years. Thank you Lex. I feel you inspire ALOT of people to be a better version of themselves no matter at what level they are in their life.
If you enjoyed 1984, you might like this book by Sinclair Lewis - IT CAN'T HAPPEN HERE.
This is a quick overview :
"It Can't Happen Here is a 1935 dystopian political novel by American author Sinclair Lewis. It describes the rise of a United States dictator similar to how Adolf Hitler gained power."
Sinclair Lewis is the first American Author to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature.
My Dad had a copy . I was reading above my age level . I turned 10 in 1984 and has read 1984?and animal farm at 7/8. Approaching 1984 I got very scared.
just finished as well and I also have the same goal as yours for 12 books this year. What will you read next? Orwell’s way of describing things brought a sense of nostalgia and relatedness as I read 1984
@@sevensages5279 This sounds interesting.I will add this to my reading list.Thank you!
@@parenthecoltsenr That’s awesome! I just started Animal farm. What are you reading next!
Lex, please keep doing this! What you're doing this actually encouraging people to start reading and it'll be for the betterment of our future! Thank you for doing this.
Gosh, I had no idea you did book reviews! I just found this, and it's 6 months old. I'm SO GLAD you did this. I'm sharing it with several of my friends in hopes they understand what's happening in our world today. As for your critics, I can't imagine someone wanting you to fail. Lex, you're a dear soul. Who knows what's behind their desire to mock your fulfilling pursuit of reading. I suspect it's a reflection of something lacking in their psyche and, in fact, nothing to do with you. As for your reading list, I didn't see Alexander Solzhenitsyn's The First Circle. For years that was my favorite book.
Please keep on doing this book series it really helps us understand the world a little better thank you!
sadly, this program was just 'mumbo-jumbo' about 'totalitarianism' ( 100% in-cohesive blabbling ... :-) )
- there was no premise, there was no debate, and there was NO CONCLUSION - or even clearly stated thought direction ...
( and BTW Friedman is WRONG - in USA - only the Lefty Democrats wants the '1984' = UNIONISM, GLOBALISM, COMMUNISM ... ) - the Republicans, with all their 'faults' and 'warts' , still believe in the INDIVIDUALISM, the INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS ... ergo ipso NO TOTALIRIANISM ! 🙂
Don’t stop with those book reviews. You’re an inspiration for many. What better is there in this world than being able to inspire people to read and think? It can only make the world a better place. So thank you for that.
As for the haters, I really wonder what’s up with some people nowadays. There must be a lot of people who are deeply unhappy with their own lifes to express their anger towards a reading list of a great human being.
@@corneliusthecrowtamer1937 get fkd
Lex I think it was excellent that you published that reading list. The fact that some people find value in tweeting ridicule that your list included books that are sometimes read by people in high school merely reflects poorly on them. Your list encouraged me and others with reminders of books we have read and want to return to and of others that I can pick up for the first time to gain new knowledge and inspiration.
Yeah there was a lot of intellectual snobbery.
Lex has spent time learning coding and things, more than reading these literature books.
The snobs look down upon that.
Fuck em
Because it hurst the left just like how the Biden administration relates to 1984
The average American has a 6th grade reading level anywayz…
lex please continue giving the summaries of the books which resonate with you most
I wish I could give you a hug! I know that feeling of sharing something that means a lot to you and having a crowd of people react negatively. Your point about re-reading books and their meaning changing and growing over time really hit home. You’re a gem Lex! Don’t let them get to you ❤ and please, keep sharing book videos. I really enjoyed this one!
Beautiful ❤❤ totally agree xx xcx
i know me too !! Same feeling hahahah
The crowd is often the problem.
i read 1984 at 17 and 30 and again just 2 days ago. i read 'dancing wu li masters' every 2-3 years since i was 21, im 62 now. i re-read a lot, i've read the bible more times than i could count.whats wrong with re-reading interesting books?
@@justaguy-69at 15 I would not read a book, my father, an English teacher, gave me Borstal Boy it worked I became a reader big time, I have read it at least 10 times. I'm 73.
Lex huge thanks,you are making huge steps,I love your interviews but doing a essay style like this is awesome. You're one of the few I respect and you've more than earned it.
And he looks cute in that tight t-shirt
I enjoy book reports, unless they're being done by PewDiePie.
I can’t imagine being on the receiving end of a response of that level. Especially, from people you look up to and respect. Im glad it didn’t kill your spirit for reading, just pivoted on what books you share for reading since people can be way too serious and critical. Thanks for sharing that piece of you and connecting with us who appreciated it. Really enjoyed your takeaways on this book.
👏 well said! I agree with every word!
Thank you, Lex, for this podcast episode! I remember reading 1984, Animal Farm, and Lord of the Flies in school and, 50+ years later, realize that I didn't understand those books at all. Thank you for loving your audience enough to share this part of yourself with us.
This video popped up into my feed a month or two ago and I remember watching the first 4 minutes and immediately wanting to read this book despite being 20 and never having finished a book before. I closed the video and ordered it online. Today I finished the book and came back to hear your thoughts on the book.
Hearing you talking about the negative feedback you got for encouraging your viewers to read breaks my heart. You inspired hundreds if not thousands to read their first book or to start reading again.
Now I just ordered A Brave New World and I’m super exited to read it.
You’re making a difference in the world Lex. Thank you so much for inspiring me to read and for inspiring me to be a better human.
I'm interested in what you think of the world now. Do you wish you'd never read them?
How do you go 20 years without reading something?
because reading and learning is highly discouraged in this near 1984 technocracy. @@MichaelLawrenceMagic
@MichaelLawrenceMagic
Lots of people don't read books. Even before the internet, there were a majority that didn't read books. My first book was "The Amazing Adventures of Chilly Billy" Had i not read comics I probably wouldn't have become n avid reader. Even I find it hard these days to read books since having the internet inside this little hand held portal. So please only encourage the fella to keep reading. 1984 is a major 1st book. I only commend the lad.
@@MichaelLawrenceMagicnever finished a book. I’ve obviously read school books. When I say I’ve never finished a book I mean a book I’ve read for pleasure.
One of the brightest young minds of today. Please don’t stop what you’re doing, or most importantly - how you’re doing it. There are always going to be miserable, rotten apples - they’ll deteriorate in their own miserableness, or will get permanent angry wrinkles on their miserable faces. You’re touching millions of people who see you in the best possible light. A handful of rotten ones don’t mean a thing!
As a lifelong, 65 year old, reader, I am so grateful for your challenge to (re)read the classics. I love a goal! I have enjoyed this video and your insights into 1984. Thank you. I cannot imagine why anyone would think to criticize another for suggesting a reading list of classics! Obviously, they may have issues. Do not let their issues become yours. Keep doing what you are doing. Please. I'm on week 5...Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. I plan to keep going until your list is exhausted. Much love!
So wierd. I also am 65, an avid reader, since I work for a military industrial major company, for 15 years now. I have read all different books over that period. Recently I to was thinking of reading all the classics. Have to look the up. However, I started with Moby Dick. Its a hard read. I finished a book called, The Last Chair Lift, which the grandmother always read, and reread, Moby Dick to the grandson.
Marcus Aurelius was ahead of his time. As being one of the five good Caesars I think the greatest thing he ever did for people was to write his thoughts, we're lucky they've made it nearly a millenia thru time.
I love how you said “silly little video at the end”, like it wasn’t a great and honest interpretation of a great book, but also a moment of vulnerability that not many people would attempt with this level of profoundness.
Love you Lex
We love you brother! Don't let the haters turn you off from sharing your love of books with the world. We are blessed to live in a time with as much literacy as we do have. I'm with you, and I'm sure that a lot of us watching you are too.
As a person with autism, I have always found solace in reading. There is something about losing myself in a book that helps me to feel grounded and at peace. So when I discovered George Orwell's 1984, I was immediately drawn in by its haunting depiction of a dystopian society.
At first, I related to the main character, Winston, and his struggles to fit in and conform to a society that didn't seem to understand him. Like Winston, I have often felt like an outsider, and I understood the desire to rebel against the rules and expectations that seemed so constricting.
But as I continued to read, I was struck by the ways in which the society in 1984 sought to control and manipulate its citizens. The constant surveillance and propaganda were particularly unsettling to me, as they reminded me of the difficulties I have faced in trying to navigate a world that doesn't always seem to make sense to me.
Despite the bleakness of the novel, I found hope in Winston's ultimate rebellion against the oppressive government. His refusal to give in to their demands, even in the face of great adversity, was inspiring to me. It reminded me that no matter how difficult life may seem, it is always possible to find the strength to stand up for what we believe in.
Uhhh isn’t the end of the book him ending his rebellion and loving big brother? 😂
@@jordanlewis4308 Yes, he gives up in the end. They broke him pretty quick as far as I remember.
@@jordanlewis4308 Well that is correct I felt like it was implied that this rebellion in his heart was still there but his time to rebel was over.
People without autism also find solace in reading. Always remember, you're not special.
Have you read "we" by Yevgeny Zamyatin? It is by far my favorite book, and based on your comments you may enjoy it too. Get the translation by Natasha Randall if you do.
Definitely, PLEASE, keep making these book club videos. :) I love hearing your thoughts on literature. This one was awesome. I don’t think any of these books are “basic”; the only reason they’re called that is because they’re so ubiquitous, which is because they’re so timeless and profound. All the haters are just stepping on you in a sad attempt to feel better about themselves. Twitter is a hellhole. I’m sorry you have to deal with all the nonsense, you have a lot of people who love you. Don’t back down, even on something “small” like this.
The most ridiculous think about claiming these are "high-school reading level" is the implication that you can't get anything out of these stone-cold classics further than what you did when you were a teenager who was forced to read them to get a good grade
Lex, your openness to books and ideas and your transparency about it are admirable and can inspire others to learn, think and speak up. Do not pay the mockers any attention! Thanks for your videos!
I will admit this left me with a tear in my eye. Firstly, because of how beautifully you convey your thoughts to us. Then also some regret on my part that I have fallen out of the life enriching habit of reading, I am so sorry that you received such negativity aimed at this wonderful goal of yours. But at the end of the day you have left me with a quiet determination to explore a part of the beguiling choice of meaningful and interesting books out there. Thank you, this was so inspiring 👌
Lex is one of the last wise people existing on this soul sucking hell we call the internet. He isnt willing to admit how wise he really is which shows humility and understanding of himself.
I felt this within ME and I'M BEYOND FRUSTRATED TIRED AND THE DEPRESSION IT CAUSES IT JUST SO COLD CRUEL AND MEAN I FEEL FROM THE INTERNET'S EXISTENSE EXISTS IN, I HATE IT HATE HATE HATE IT. I WOULD CHANGE EVERYTHING ALL IN ONE INSTANT FOR REAL WHOLEHEARTEDLY ITS NOT A TOUGH THING TO DO WHEN OR IF YOU WERE A GENUINE LOVING INDIVIDUAL.
As someone that was born abroad and that didn’t go to school in the west i never read Many of the books in your list, i did read 1984 though but never had the chance to talk about it with anyone… this video was a huge benefit for me, many of the things you focused on i didn’t reflect on while reading the book, like the quote about following the small rules to break the big one as an example … i really appreciated this video and your take on this legendary book, this video made me reflect on it from your perspective and makes me want to read it a second time with a fresh outlook … people that judged your list are what’s wrong with this world and the academic elitism … i’m an electrician never been to university, a modestly self educated foreigner and i didn’t read many books i was busy making ends meet from a young age however i do want to hear about the classics and the abc’s and they can kiss my behind
Hey all, I want to share a few experiences I've had,.
A few years ago I prayed to God in Repentance then begged for help with all my heart, "I was until then an Atheist."
I then had a dream of Jesus coming before God and he spoke of the Tabernacle in Perfect context, "A word I didn't know existed because I never read the bible", and the love I felt from Jesus was unlike Anything I've ever felt before - A Lifetime of joy every second - It brought me to sobbing and it changed my life, forever.
I've had other miracles since, a few being a light turning on in answer to needful prayer over 12 times, having a dream of something called the Higgs Boson after asking God how the universe works, "While not knowing what this was", seeing a orb of light hours before a major surgery, seeing an Angel in a dream the night my mother prayed for me to see one, "Without telling me", and over 30 pages of documented miracles.
Know that God and Jesus ARE real and that they love us deeply. Let go of your Pride & Hatred and Imagine yourself holding the people who've hurt you. Tell them you love and forgive them and I believe we should do our best to follow the 10 commandments.
I believe that Love for God and One Another, IS, The Answer.
3:40 O'Brien didn't lie when he said he was part of the Brotherhood, I think. It mad eme think that he, along with all members of the inner party, are all part of the Brotherhood. It's all Doublethink: the Inner Party is the Brotherhood and also is against the Brotherhood.
I’m glad you’ve decided move forward with the list and published this video!
Each school has different reading requirements. I am a graduate student and still haven't read 1984 due to the simple fact of it being not taught in my high school. Your video is an inspiration to me to finally read it and go deeper than the surface-level synopsis that I already know. I look forward to the next video.
you do not need to be taught it to read it
@@paulbyrne6388 The point is alot of people really only read things assigned to them. It's actually very common, and even if it's a book at a middle school level it's better for someone to read than to not.
Honestly illiteracy is a much bigger problem here in America than most people think and one of my former coworkers had some one laugh in his face because he just read one of the Harry Potter books. He was close to 40 and it was basically the only book he had read "for fun" or on his own. In my opinion that's kind of screwed up isn't it?
Long story short I don't see the point in picking on people for their reading habits or lack thereof.
Prepare to get so mad at the ending, man I threw that book across the room the first time I finished it. Brilliant, but god damn
@@yepyepyep170 I also fondly remember this book, it wasn't the first time life showed me how uncaring it can be, but it was the first time I saw it in print.
I'm a bit less of a pessimistic person now even with all the crap, but it was such a strong feeling and still is.
I’ve noticed that none of the dystopian literature is read in schools anymore. In fact Shakespeare is completely left out in our schools. I’ve asked many kids of varied age if they’ve read them and none say they have.
I guess it’s obvious why lol. Don’t show the manuals of your intended future in some cases.
Lex, I’ve only been following your podcast for a couple months now. I am refreshed by your humanity and faith in love and pursuit of truth on many levels. It hurt my heart to see your reaction to people being critical of you for the simple act of wanting to read books you love, or books you enjoy, or books that have made you think, or books that have helped you evolve…or all of these things and more. Please know that, while some of these people you respect have criticized you, to many more people you don’t know and will never meet, what you do matters and helps us explore and find deeper meaning in this world. Please don’t stop doing what you love and have the courage of your convictions to share it with the vastly larger community that respects and admires you.
yeeeeeahhh .... reminds one of the time i gave all money, every last cent and every last of my muscle cars and tibidabo mansions to a african kids charity... so many people m o c k e d me for it that i had to go on national tv and c o m p l a i n about all the peiople mocking me for all my magnaminous saintly munificience.. if only so many had not ridiculed my massive l o v e i would never have had to go on prime time tv to talk about my endless virtue of generosity to the world's poor.... aaaahhh poor me .. somebody looooove me pleeeeeese??!
Very beautifully said! Lex enriches people's lives in so many ways!
I finished reading 1984 for the first time today. I enjoyed this review so much. Thanks for uncovering so much about 1984 I was too dumb to figure out on my own. I’m saddened to hear perhaps you won’t continue these reviews and insights in future. this video made me love the book even more, I appreciate your time. Thank you Lex.
1984 is great, but you should try his other books too, many of them offer quite unique perspectives.
@@tefky7964 thanks very much mate.
i am so grateful that you exist lex im a med student studying all day but when i take my breaks i either eat work out read berserk or look at your content im so damn grateful and happy that you once decided to do this youtube thing and do it extremely well i'm so grateful for your passion for bringing us wisdom and trying to bring it with the least amount of bias you helped me for my world view and confirmed my love for humanity and its ability to do good. I hope we will ever meet.
Rip miura...
@@ilhamn3430 rip 😿
Hi Lex, I know it isn't as easy to take the positive messages as seriously as the negative ones but I just hope you know how many people you inspire through not only your work in academia and podcasting but also as a man who's willing to be vulnerable in front of many people. I think the reason why your audience is so attracted to your work is because we can relate to the things you speak on in many ways. You aren't afraid to speak about things like love, sadness, fear, motivation etc. Topics in which many of us have trouble understanding on a deeper level. I personally really enjoy that you share parts of your life like informing your audience of the books you're choosing to read this year. I don't understand the criticism and i'm sure it's difficult for you to absorb some of the positive feedback because sometimes the negative ones will always hurt more than the positive messages feel good. I'm excited to see what your work in 2023 and i'm very excited to hear about your feedback on the books you're going to read.
Thank you 😊
Well said
Yes. This.
You are shining a light on literature that has potentially never crossed the fresh mind of someone just beginning a journey of reading. Keep doing your thing Lex, you're doing god's work.
This is one of my favourite videos of yours. I'm glad you made it! I really enjoyed the way you articulated your observations about the book.
I've never been on Twitter but from what I've heard it doesn't really seem like any level or criticism (or even praise) from that forum should be given much weight or credibility.
I used to read for 2-4 hours a day but completely fell out of love with it during a bad phase of my life. Whatever happened, I haven't actually read a book in 10 years, but this video has inspired me to pick one and finish it.
In fact, I may even go as far as to re-read 1984 which I haven't read since I was forced to read it in school. Your comments about that really resonated with me.
I would love for you to continue sharing your passion for reading. This video is fantastic!
Thank you Lex! I have been putting 1984 on the back burner for too many years now and this video was the encouragement to finally read it! Please don't stop these book reviews!
I've read it twice. China is very similar today.
@@savage22bolt32 North Korea i think is an even better example\
Letting us experience deep exploration of many quality books - this series of videos is already amazing. ❤
Most of these books weren't covered in school, or were covered VERY superficially. ^^
I love the format - not a reading of the book, not a too short summary where the most relavant story arcs aren't even dealt with. Lex, it's great. 🏆
@@Charles-io9lf Western countries are becoming too, at an alarming rate
Finished reading it in a week! Great piece of literature, and whose message I will always have in the back of my mind.
It's kind of rough to see Lex get hounded. A great human being, with an open mind and a true kindness and brotherly love being ridiculed for being open.
Lex don't give in to the hivemind, don't let it change the things you would like to do. I am very excited about your book series, hope you keep it public and share the journey with us.
Omg, which prominent figures in particular criticised Lex for the book list? That's so sad😔he seems genuinely hurt! I'm sorry his New Year mood was ruined by this.
@@ОльгаВанюшкина-э1ш he didn't mention and I am off Twitter so couldn't tell you.
I agree.
Em teedee!
Dude he gained popularity from Joe Rogan bootlicking. I appreciate Lex as an interviewer and educator as much as the next guy, but come on....
@@jubjub7406 I went to have a look on Twitter and I -hardly saw anything- saw nothing of any concern - in fact most people are supportive just a few people think it’s not the greatest reading list. Are people really that easily bruised these days, my God everything is such a crisis and disaster isn’t it? Oh my God no not disagreement oh no oh no oh no not disagreement!
Your thoughts and insights into 1984 are a real treat/gift. It is powerful and I love your determination that there must be a motivation of hope and love beyond the rebellion. Thank you for this Lex.
"My philosophy is: What people say about me is none of my business.
I am who I am and do what I do.
I expect nothing and accept everything.
And that makes life easier.--
We live in a world where funerals are more important than the deceased, marriage is more important than love, looks are more important than the soul.
We live in a packaging culture that despises content."
Sir Anthony Hopkins
Their attacking you and your list just allowed you to share your love of the books with us twice. What a gift. Your 'silly little video'...you have no idea just how big this was to me. Thank you. ♥
I’ve read 1984 several times many years ago and it was great to revisit it through your eyes. Please don’t stop! Your book discussions are at the top of my pod cast list and I listen to many other brilliant people.
Plz don't stop this, Lex ~ I wouldn't have gone through this seminal work if it weren't for you. Plus, you're essentially making the largest book club in history! Also, this analysis of 1984 really helped me find more words and connections than i might have made otherwise and I appreciate that greatly. I understand if you aren't up to the heavy workload and/or the ridiculous spite you get for absolutely no reason, and i won't feel let down if you decide to keep this hobby private. Thank you.
Where May I find Lex’s book list?
@@christinepainter7854 in the Video description right under the video, there is a link, something along the lines of "for his reading list".
Lex, I am a voracious reader and learner and am quite picky about the podcasts I listen to. You are at the top of my list. Thank you for your genuine curiosity and humility. I love smart people that are smart enough to know that they don’t know everything. Keep up the amazing work and ignore the haters!
Thank you so much! When I heard a presentation of 1984 in high school it sounded like a depressing nightmare which did not motivate me to ever have a look at it. You really manage to bring light into this remarkable opus and enable the listener to get a deeper understanding of the profound message one can find in it.
This book has lived large in my mind, especially in recent years. I'm so delighted to see Lex covering it!!!
GREAT POINT: "What better is there in this world than being able to inspire people to read and think?"
If anonymous trolls/bot farms spew hate, it's because you're doing something right and important. They are clapping and shouting for you.
How about- love, hatred, hope are nonexistent without thought. Control thoughts and you rule.
My thoughts too.
Data point: At the end of 2020, searching RUclips for the i-medicine by name would turn up only a few videos from Indonesia. Everything else was hidden from search results/shadowbanned.
We are living in this dystopia.
Data point: This comment has "2 replies" but only @zigatretjak75's is visible*. I suppose it could be spam filtering, but I see my own comments filtered/shadow-banned too often on RUclips to be under the delusion that it's just that.
*Update: 4/5 visible now.
@@mikez6683 Because it's being used as an instruction manual?
Wow, my comment (about the i-medicine) has survived! My ex7thYv2TIE video on it is only available in archives.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to share this human experience at the same time as Lex. Lex is a gift to us all. I hope he does this with all 50 books.
Lex - your contributions go BEYOND anything I ever experienced.. in a long life as a caring physician living in a tiny spot named Germany.. let my thanks to your bright mind .. and the bright minds you bring on here in long talks .. let this THANK YOU go beyond all words.
My 94 year old dad recenly told my 62 year old self to never grow old. We enjoy laughing and sharing our encounters in this life together. And believe me he has some of the most incredible stories! He had a total knee replacement in December. I stayed with him in the hospital and for several weeks afterwards. He's healing well and can hardly wait to get back to work. We plan to do some traveling when he has healed up enough to do so. Lex never grow old, keep sharing who you are, and most importantly LOVE!
I enjoy listening to you. Usually you are interviewing someone. This was different and I like it!
Happy New Year!
Lex, can't say that i know you since this is a youtube comment; but cannot state how much of a positive influence you are to myself (and probably many more) in these strange times we're living in. Like yourself, I've always seen books as messages from long-gone friends. Even though they're gone, they continue to bring nuance, of either consolidating or destabilising nature, to the thoughts I nurture passively, when going about my day. And like any good friends, they deserve time allocated and a striving to understand them better, just like we all are when watching your clips.
Although I never comment as I imagine this will be lost in the ether, do know that there is at least one person appreciating content that is solely your mind on the youtube canvas. Like Socrates, you seem to possess a gift far greater than knowledge, which is your affability (and I would like to believe objectiveness of input as a by-product) to gather information from possible future giants. Thank you for your service to knowledge, and the spread of it - which is why I personally hope to hear more of your free-thoughts and see this unleashed authenticity as per this clip. Keep the flame for knowledge alive and many thanks!
I could not have possibly put this any better myself. As I make my way through Meditations to try to keep up with your list Lex, I find myself repeatedly hoping against hope that you decide to continue posting your thoughts on these books. Please find it in yourself to disregard the negativity!
@@jessedevault3533 Ditto.
I could not have put it better.
TY, Both!
I can’t express enough how hard it is to genuinely expose your inner self and getting hurt at scale. I want support Lex in this endeavour and wish keep going because it’s amazing, and it gives ordinary people like myself so much value out of it. Thank you, Lex
That's, my friend, is how you give a further step on helping the community around you. Young or old, educated or not. This list and this work helps us to share the same references and be part of a broader conversation. Left, right, alive, dead, there's no limmits. And this is wonderful. Thank you!
First book summarized that I've seen by you, and it is truly inspiring. I doubt you'll ever read my comment Lex but I have to say that I've only been listening to you for a little while, however you've already helped to pull me out of the depressive funk that I have been stuck in for months. I have struggled for a long time with self esteem issues partially relating to my intelligence, or lack thereof... but your podcasts have reminded me of my passion for curiosity. I have not felt so curious in a long time. I almost forgot what it felt like to care about anything at all. Hearing you speak about the love there is in your heart for everyone helped me to understand that I deserve to be loved and to love myself, despite my flaws. Your passion for introducing new ideas and authors and philosophers and experts and... and your passion for just being compassionate... is unlike anything I've ever seen in mainstream media. I suppose that's the teacher in you. If I had had more teachers like you growing up, I would be in a very different place right now. Anyway, sorry for the rant, I hope it's sensical and that I am able to get across to you what I'm trying to say, and I hope you read this. Peace and love, my friend who I have never met.
@Kyle What a nice , honest and raw message. I have felt the same way. Thank you for sharing🌻 You are loved❤️🥰🌞
Yes Kyle, your comment touched me also. And yes, being curious is the bestest, the funnest of all. Sending you more love.
Judging by your comment, you clearly shouldn't be concerned about your intelligence.
Your comment is touching. Forget about your teachers or parents or anyone else that "had they been like Lex" ~~ because every day is just a time-frame in our lives ~~ our school years or 'past lives/jobs/marriages, etc. are just larger time-frames. Everyone that steps into our lives is a teacher; the lesson is in 'our take of them' and also in our reaction. Beware my friend, for in you is the teacher too. Take time for the people who meet you, who cross your path.
Please continue to share your readings with your audience. Small minds criticize for criticism’s sake - a little bit like torture for torture’s sake, or power for power’s sake - as you were saying in this video. Much love is directed at you, Lex, because of your pure heart. The rest is noise.🌱
You spoke about the value of love during adversity. It seems to me that reading a book acts as both a source and a transformation of love for you. If you think of it this way, by allowing yourself to be vulnerable-or honest, as you put it-the love you’ve gathered from various sources becomes a fortress, strong enough to withstand criticism, even from those you respect.
I suppose, in a way, I’m pleading with you to continue making videos like this, as long as it doesn’t take you away from other important sources of love. I would assume it’s obvious to many that your level of critical thinking about the subject matter in a book is incredibly helpful and immensely valuable to those still striving to reach the same level of insight on their own.
I love the way you analyze the book and your thoughts about it. This is how all novels should be analyzed at school and without a doubt what Orwell wanted when he wrote it.
You can't please everyone. I have tremendous respect for the brutal honesty, openness, and consequently vulnerability you show to the millions of people who listen to your insights. It's hard to not let people's vitriol get to you when you read comments. That said, please know that the rare qualities you display in your videos, whether alone or interviewing someone, are a breath of fresh air
Wow, this was absolutely beautiful to listen to. Thank you for making this I can’t wait to hear about the next books on your list!
Huge thanks for your deeply thoughtful interventions.
Speaking of "Technology" as being a double-edge sword being used either as a tool for totalitarian states to control populations, or as a tool for freedom such as internet, A.I, etc... is an a priori reduction (or lack of awareness) of the role of the doers/makers to the projections, of their intent (in-tension) from which perception results - and which we call our reality.
In other words, 'technology' in this example is nothing in and of itself, being at once indeterminate, neutral, inert, and being but assemblage of "things" that have also no meaning in themselves, except : in "specified contexts" and according/conforming to the intention or purpose for which it has been made.
Everything here being purposive, nothing (including us) individually makes any sense per se, except for whom the purpose of their 5 sense perception and decision is being made manifest.
(Decision literally means to stop the split in the mind in order to move to one or another direction of the duality).
Thus for example:
Technology = non-specific generalisation of "scientific progress in any field or domain",
FIRE = Cooking a steak or burning at the stake,
TOOL MAKING = for helping and healing or for maiming & killing.
This serves to disclose or highlight that anything at all on this plane of existence (Earth) is but potential and remains non-sensical, meaningless, useless and even non-existent, save for the mind that decides to do or make something by addition and transformation of 'things' into something else by means of thought process or ideas, plus the will and intention which translates into "What-for?", (whether consciously or unconsciously and unaware of ensuing consequences).
In fine, it does seem that the major stumbling block is our ignorance of the Reality of which we are a part and our erroneous belief that we are special, different, separate and more or better than anyone else.
Lex Fridman, it's inspiring your courage and passion to show your read list to the world. I'm relatively new to your channel. However, the small amount of months that I've been listening to your videos, created a big admiration for the person that you are, for your beautiful and unique way of thinking, the passion that you have for seeking knowledge and, most importantly, your pursue of the truth, especially in a world full of noise.
I'm grateful for your videos! I learn a lot from your deeper and interesting questions, it makes me want to exercise my critical thought. Besides, watching you brings me nostalgia for good moments a couple of months ago when I used to walk through South Kensington back in London listening to your conversation with Illya, Yann LeCun, and many other great minds. Those conversations frequently sparked something good inside of me, a sense of curiosity, a sense of excitement, and hope for the future.
On the topic of this video, I do agree with your point of view: love is what helps us overcome oppressive forces, it's what allows us to find who we are, helps us develop a sense of empathy for other beings, and understand that everybody goes through difficult moments in life. Well, it allows us to have hope and dream for a better future, a post-world free of oppressive forces. A future full of love and where truth, The Truth, wins over all the noisy ideas that try to set us apart. So thank you very much for bringing the discussion about this scary, yet thought-provoking book.
On a last note, it is quite interesting to see your interviews and I admire how you always have interesting questions to ask and you always manage to talk about anything! But I do want you to know that it was quite enjoyable the style of the video here. I felt more deeply connected with the beautiful human being that you are, your authenticity shined. I know that my opinion is probably not worth a lot. Still, it was a lovely video! Thank you very much for your time to produce it.
P.S. Apologies for the long text and bad English. I just wanted to show my gratitude for the content that you produce!
I truely hope lex gives us more of this type of content! Even if it gets slightly lower views, i think it does wonders to those of us who want to continue to grow and expand our understanding of life and i think there couldnt be a better person than lex to help deconstruct the thought experiments that the authors are trying to convey.
Keep up your courageous work. My husband won the student of the year at university for an English Literature Degree, and he thinks that your reading list is an excellent representation of some of the best books the world has to offer. I'm sure you know Kipling's poem "If". Read it to yourself again, as it describes you. We truly admire your intelligence, intellect, knowledge, humility and courage. Your influence stretches across the globe (we are in Australia) and you have many devoted followers.
As a ass who commented that you were rereading. I really appreciate this. I haven't read this book since I was younger and your quotes on Julia were something I forgot. You inspired me to reread this. I appreciate this . The world def need to revisit these more
an ass ;)
For sure, Lex's mind and his interpretation of this book has brought up ideas that I had, with a fresh insight, and a new perspective on parts of it, that I had not even considered before. We are very fortunate to have this man dedicate so much time to our screens and minds. He could do and be almost a countless number of things in this short life, and here he is, sharing his brilliant mind with everyone who is here to listen.
Hi Lex, I’m sorry those people hurt you in regard to your books. You were just putting it out there and being vulnerable if they did that that’s on them not on you. We appreciate you being open and yourself because you’re beautiful inside and out.
Lex, you are one of the best humans on the planet. I hope you keep sharing these breakdowns and continue to be vulnerable. There are more of us that need you than ones who want to bring you down.
As a dyslexic who could not read till 13 years old this was one of the first books I managed to read and I realised I could read if I found books that were so interesting they were impossible to put down. 1984 helped break my "catch 22" so you can imagine the impact it had on me. Your short form overview is the first time Ive revisited this book in 50 years..........still impact full, still true to this day.......thanks.
Very noble that you found a way to overcome this in the pursuit of knowledge! I've known such amazing dyslexics! 👍😎
I have dyslexia too and struggle to read books but just finnished the audio book of this and was brilliant,have been getting through an audiobook every one/two weeks and its so much easyer,hope you are still reading books that grab your interest
@@deanpoole7661 It was thanks to Jules Verne, my unused libery ticket got used at the rate of 3 books a week. Suddenly I could read fast. I then went on to do all my course work and home work in 2 hours every night for 2 years and pass all my school exams at A grade. It was the Derby Institute for Dyslexia in the UK that went on and confirmed my Dyslexia some 20 years later at the same time as diagnosing my kids then aged 12 14 and 16 with Dyslexia.
Over the years Ive met many Dyslexics and exchanged stories, non as tragic as a guy who at 60 years old was diagnosed after 40 years in and out of prison, it all started when one night he got arrested for taking a pee in the street when next to public toilets as he could not tell which was the mens or women's and figuring a doorway was the safest option got collared by the local police that night. So started a Yo Yo career of prison and crime.
Mind Begs the Question:
If Hitler succeeded because
Judiciary allowed Evil Laws
Authoritarians arrive on heels of
Judiciary allowing Evil Laws,no?
1984 is the most profound book about living in the modern era, the challenges we all face to comprehend and resist the impulse of inhumanity and hatred from without and within. Also your reading list is a very fine one, some gems I share with you there, touchstones of a life of reading. Resist the haters Lex. BTW absolutely loved the Betul Kacar interview.
Unpacking your soul in public takes confidence. Most people appreciate how reading has enlightened your life. Book knowledge is a critical part of our complex life and can be a wonderful tutor for mankind if explored. Thank you, Lex. Be confident!
Salute from Canada!
I just wanted to say how grateful I am for the content you put out Lex 🙏 I got so excited when you put out that book list and have been trying to follow along myself. You’re one of few people on the internet who truly inspire me to be a better person and I thank you for encouraging people to read. Much love 🙏
Got to say Lex you have a way of making people feel welcome, like you are a friend without people actually knowing you. This is a rare gift in Humanity because most are too scared to be themselves. Thanks for being you man. We need more folk like you. Much love Брат.
Lex, I never comment but I want to express how much I like your reading list and enjoyed this video. I wish you would do a video of every book on your list.
You have rekindled my love of reading books. I can't thank you enough. I hope you do more book studies like this in the future!
Thank you Lex for this heartfelt book report. You moved me to go back and reread the book. You are a beautiful soul and a wise intelligent man. Keep up the good work!