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Table 1 · Mind · 7 seats The self, examinedSit at this table The Power of Now 8.5/10
Helped me return to a more intuitive, embodied form of mindfulness.
Expanded my understanding of the concept of the self and the characteristics of its illusions. No book of theirs reviewed yet
Fostered my introspective and external exploration of archetypes and the depth of human psychology to drive self-understanding and integration. No book of theirs reviewed yet
Sharpened my thinking on meditation, consciousness, and the intersection of science and spirituality. No book of theirs reviewed yet
Deepened my awareness of relational dynamics and the nuanced balance between autonomy and intimacy. No book of theirs reviewed yet
Deepened my understanding of vulnerability, courage, and how shame resilience is essential for authentic connection. No book of theirs reviewed yet
Followed her on Instagram early and has helped me learn about the practice of reparenting to break unconscious patterns and build emotional maturity. No book of theirs reviewed yet
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Table 2 · Mind · 6 seats Resolve & disciplineSit at this table Influenced my beliefs around the transformative power of disciplined personal development and habit-building. No book of theirs reviewed yet
Helped me strengthen my resolve and resilience and showed the importance of mental toughness through adversity. No book of theirs reviewed yet
Challenged me to confront the relationship between meaning, responsibility, and personal growth. No book of theirs reviewed yet
Early twitter follow who challenged me to take physical health and self-mastery seriously as the foundation for mental clarity and personal power. No book of theirs reviewed yet
Ego Is the Enemy 7.5/10
Influenced a lot of my reading and note-taking strategies as well as provided a modern framework for integrating Stoicism as an applied practice and not just philosophic leisure.
Someone who keeps it very real and his early Twitter writing influenced my mind as well as modeling street smarts in a healthy way. No book of theirs reviewed yet
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Table 3 · Systems · 6 seats Models & riskSit at this table Antifragile 8.5/10
Sharpened my grasp on uncertainty, risk management, and the importance of antifragility in complex systems.
Thinking in Systems 9/10
Enhanced my skills in systems thinking and strategic approaches to complex problem solving.
Strengthened my practice of building a latticework of mental models for clearer thinking and better decisions. No book of theirs reviewed yet
Discovered via Ribbonfarm blog. This guy is a high-level insight machine and has an engaging way of tracing societal patterns. He's influenced how I think about coordination problems and organizations as well as seeking truth. No book of theirs reviewed yet
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Table 4 · Systems · 7 seats Economics, power & startupsSit at this table Sharpened my thinking on wealth, happiness, and personal agency. No book of theirs reviewed yet
The 48 Laws of Power 9/10
Gave interesting insights into human nature, power dynamics, and strategic influence for navigating social realities effectively.
Demonstrated how creators can build sustainable businesses by teaching what they know and compounding in public. No book of theirs reviewed yet
Shaped my thinking on startups, writing clearly, and the value of doing things that don't scale. No book of theirs reviewed yet
Expanded my thinking on technology, network states, and how to reason about the future from first principles. No book of theirs reviewed yet
Had a strong influence in my early college years and helped me think about the Federal Reserve's impact on the regular person's life as well as foreign policy and self-determination. No book of theirs reviewed yet
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Table 5 · Craft · 7 seats Learning how to learnSit at this table The Google Resume 7.5/10
Gave me a structured approach to technical problem solving and helped me prepare for my early technical interviews through her books.
Inspired my approach to ultralearning and tackling ambitious self-education projects with structure and intensity. No book of theirs reviewed yet
The Personal MBA 10/10
Reinforced the value of rapid skill acquisition and first-principles thinking about business and learning.
A Mind for Numbers 8/10
Gave me a neuroscience-grounded understanding of how learning actually works and how to do it more effectively.
The Art of Learning 8.5/10
Taught me about the art of learning itself, the power of presence, and how mastery transfers across domains.
Modeled the art of deep, cross-disciplinary reading and weaving ideas from literature, science, and philosophy into a coherent worldview. No book of theirs reviewed yet
Introduced me to the idea of lifestyle design and systematic approaches to accelerated learning and self-experimentation. No book of theirs reviewed yet
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Table 6 · Craft · 6 seats Work, habits & toolsSit at this table Deep Work 8.5/10
Shaped my thinking on deep work, digital minimalism, and the value of focused craft over shallow productivity.
Middle career mentor at Google and his Sunday Letters have been influencing on thinking like a programmer. No book of theirs reviewed yet
Inspired my interest in thoughtful productivity, mindful technology use, and reflective writing about personal systems. No book of theirs reviewed yet
Gave me a practical, systems-based framework for building better habits and making continuous small improvements. No book of theirs reviewed yet
Taught me that intentional decluttering is a practice of discernment and that tidying your environment reshapes your mind. No book of theirs reviewed yet
Shaped my understanding of software craftsmanship, developer experience, as well as been a helpful mentor in running a burning man camp. No book of theirs reviewed yet
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Table 7 · Range · 7 seats Stage, song & storySit at this table The ultimate philosopher comedian, whose ability to see truth and absurdity in life has inspired me to pay more attention to the little things. No book of theirs reviewed yet
An entertainment polymath who shows versatility and creative confidence across multiple disciplines, inspiring my adaptability and charisma. No book of theirs reviewed yet
Musical genius at the edges of peak authenticity and embodying the fuel depth of emotions and madness through reinvention. No book of theirs reviewed yet
A modern renaissance man whose fearless genre-blending across music, film, and comedy inspired me to resist creative categories. No book of theirs reviewed yet
Showed me how deep collaboration and musical versatility across genres can elevate storytelling to another level. No book of theirs reviewed yet
Showed me the profound power of storytelling, resilience, and using your voice to speak truth with grace. No book of theirs reviewed yet
Inspired me to be more creative and focus on the power of intentional storytelling and sharing authentic personal experiences. No book of theirs reviewed yet
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Table 8 · Range · 6 seats Range & long gamesSit at this table Xenocide 7/10
Stimulated my imagination and strategic thinking through narrative and the exploration of ethical complexity.
Poke the Box 6/10
Reinforced the importance of showing up consistently, shipping creative work, and leading with generosity.
Absolute GOAT who got me back into baseball and proved that mastering multiple disciplines at the highest level is possible when you refuse to accept false tradeoffs. No book of theirs reviewed yet
Demonstrated that sustained excellence comes from obsessive preparation, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to longevity. No book of theirs reviewed yet
Great guy, and big Twitter influence. Well weaponized ADHD, that inspired me to build more scaffolding around my mind and let the chaos free with structure. Also he's very friendly. No book of theirs reviewed yet
Has contributed an incredible amount to education of new & veteran burners via his orphan endorphin series and camp. Has been a great friend & mentor for me growing as a burning man camp lead. No book of theirs reviewed yet
