S. Wells

Not what I was expectiong

Reviewed: 02-23-24

I heard the title of the book from a podcast. so what I was expecting and what I got was a pleasant surprise.

I thought it was going to be about making money now and spending it all now. YOLO as the young folks say.

But the author actually lays about a good thought process for how to enjoying the benefits of hard work at the appropriate time but still remember to put systems in place that help you financially whe. you reach retirement age.

I will add, I wonder if he would revise the book any based on the current 2024 economics.

In short it was a new tool for the set in how I plane to move forward.

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Grant Was A 92Y, What?

Reviewed: 08-11-23

First I'll go over the reader. I usually intend to audios at 1.25 or higher depending on the density of the content. The book isn't saturated with dates and over details military maneuvers. so listening at 1.50 was doable. Everything was pronounced clearly and I had enough time to mentally place the dates of events and visualize people and senses.

Now for the content itself, I believe another reader said it best take the books account with a grain of salt. No saying the author is lying about stuff. However, his interpretation of the events and rolls played by these leaders (on both) comes with a level of bias.

Nonetheless, even with the author's fan boy moments over Davis, I still think it's a book worth reading. If you're in the military (even none- commissioned side of the house) I believe these background stories shed some light how every general has to start somewhere. And any war can be sold to the public with a good narrative they can believe in.

In addition there are definitely tons of insightful and trivial pieces of information that would make for a intense game night for the hard-core pre-civil and civil war history buffs. Like who knew now that Grant was basically a 92Y,

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I get the ideal but...

Reviewed: 07-30-23

The short take is I understand where the authors are coming from.

A plus is they don't get lost in academic jargon. And don't dump vast amounts of numerical data on you. So you don't feel like they are talking over your head, which certainly made the topic easier to listen too.


However, the following are some ofbthe things that suck out to me while listening.

it's interesting to read how they filter the advancement of technology and western democracy as a every society needs this version of government. There are parts where they kinda of use a one size fits all on various regions of the world and the cultural groups in them.

I also think there is a air of "we know better because we're acedemics from Silicon Valley and we're connected to the industry." vibe. Not to say they are wrong about seeing the industry develop/expland. it was just my take on how they explained the issue in the industry.

Facebook is mentioned a number of times and used for both side of the argument about setting up better rules to hold tech giants accountable. They down played the Cambridge Analytic situation, but then say Russia was influencing American elections while citing reports saying the "russiand backed" political propaganda on social media didn't reach as many people as publicized.

Half way through, I feel like the authors were arguing for a more big government approach to how society develops, governments regulate, technology advance, and the capitalist private sector grows.

Another thing I just realized, they made no real mention of the C19 situation but stayed clear of CDC and Faucci.. Which then bring me to how many things came out after the book in 2022 and 2023. heaven knows how this book will age after 2025 or 2030.

The take away I'd say is that ¤democracy is robust at adopting to modern times and the way people live. However, it is still fragile at the same time because of how modern man lives thanks to technology. Thomas Jefferson is quoted a number of times by the authors relating to the idea of being a well informed citizen, practicing privacy, keeping a democracy alive. It's ironicbecause, the US is a republic not a democracy, lol.

So they're pontificating on the balancing act of technology, privacy, capitalism, advancing technology and society, with a governmental system we don't even use, 😆.

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I want to know more

Reviewed: 07-30-22

I'm not really a fantasy reader. But I took the chance based on a recommendation. I will stay, this book drew me in slowly but surely.

I went from does magic matter to I hope it does come back.

I will admit there were a number of questions I had about the history of the world by the end of the book. but I guess that why reading the second book matters.

I'm looking forward to it.

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I was sure what to expect

Reviewed: 01-03-22

I heard about the book in a youtube interview. I recently started going through cyberpunk titles. I'm glad I took the chance in listening to this one.

In the overall, I loved the story and how the Vinge integrated technology in the 21 century society. For me it wasn't overalls technical. And the use cases were relatable.

I especially enjoyed the voice narrations. Conger did a great job. It definitely helped in keeping track of the conversations.

The only shortfall for me was the end. I felt there were one or two things left unanswered.

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It's Is Really Sooner The You Think.

Reviewed: 04-03-21

great audio as usual. I love the sound of the future but I see privacy as a lost thing in this tech Eutopia.

Peter and Steven do a great job at addressing some of the down side to acknowledging the misuse of tech. but I think they under estimate people's desire for power and hording of money and resources.

I guess we'll see how much of their book holds to the good nature of people in the long run.

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Even the non-believer questions

Reviewed: 01-19-21

I heard about the book on a podcast. have to say I was not disappointed. I wasn't sure what to expect but I enjoyed the debate of morals, ethics, science, and the point of realizing that intellegent design doesn't mean the god everyone talks about in bibles.

I will have to check out his other books.

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Practical Insight

Reviewed: 12-18-20

Recently discovered Scott on YouTube. I found his ability to break down the industry of branding, marketing, and business development by the numbers with comical wit more than an attention grabbing gimmick.

His book in my opinion doesn't disappoint. And it's perfectly time to provide relevant insight in a post covid world.

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Membership Economy in Post-Covid

Reviewed: 11-20-20

I'll start with sayiny the book has some relevant and insightful points. But is dated in some ways, since it was published in 2014.

Yes, there has be a growth in more companies doing the membership thing. But as the author notes several times, some business have it as a check the box option for the revenue model. I know I try to avoid web site and companies that start pushing membership unless the product is on or near the level of need over want.

While listening, I couldn't help but feel the author was writing to established companies or a startups with a budget. I didn't connect what she used in the case studies to some starting from zero. Working on a business while still working a 9 to 5 or taking your last bit of saving to take the leap doesn't seem like a out the gate solution. The author makes the point of being data driven in how you make decisions. To be honest, I've wondered what that means in a post covid world? How relevant is all the market data before this?

Ok. enough rambling. I do think it a good book. You just have to take what works for your current situation. Also would've preferred a female voice.

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Dated But Still Useful

Reviewed: 11-17-20

So I got the book a few months back. This review is a result of my third listening because of a project I'm working on.

Fabian provides some practical advice on things needed to build a brand. He breaks down the reasoning behind things like not putting a logo in a email signature.

There are two issues I have with the book. 1 it sounds more geared toward a startup with investment money. It doesn't seems to be something a business starting at zero can use because of the potential cost.

The second thing, every time I heard him mention office, lobby space, brand environment. It was a constant remind of what the world was like precovid. I would say about 20% of the book is dated in that manner. Another example is when he talks about having business cards.

It's really mind blowing how much things have changed from when the book was published to now.

I still say it worth the read. You just have to pick what applicable to you situation today.

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3 people found this helpful