Running an online business while globetrotting has its perks. One of them is meeting fascinating people like Mark Manson, a best-selling author. We crossed paths when he moved to New York City and have been buddies ever since. His first book, "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck," was a smash hit, selling over 8 million copies. He credits his travels for shaping him into the person he is today, which inspired his first book.
Now, Mark has a new book, "Everything is F*cked: A Book About Hope." I got a sneak peek, and it’s a thought-provoking read about philosophy and finding purpose in our modern world. It made me ponder on things I hadn’t considered before.
In his new book, Mark explores how to cultivate and sustain hope for ourselves and the world. He challenges the notion that hope is always a "good" thing. He sees this book as an expansion of the ideas from his first book, delving deeper into concepts like values, pain, suffering, and our definitions of success.
Mark was inspired to write this book by observing the world around him. Despite the world being in the best material state it’s ever been, people are struggling more than ever to find hope and meaning in their lives. Interestingly, it’s the people from the wealthiest and most stable parts of the world who are grappling with these philosophical struggles the most.
As a seasoned traveler, Mark believes that travel can increase human empathy and challenge our value systems. However, he warns against using travel as an escape from problems rather than a pursuit of higher understanding.
Mark’s book also introduces the Formula of Humanity, a concept from philosopher Emmanuel Kant. It suggests that our decisions and actions should always prioritize people over emotions, culture, or group loyalties. Travel, according to Mark, forces us to practice this principle.
The book offers five key takeaways that readers can apply to their lives:
- Understanding your emotions is crucial for self-discipline.
- Overcoming emotional dysfunction caused by trauma and loss.
- Every belief system has a religious aspect that we need to be cautious about.
- How to be more resilient.
- How to maintain freedom in a world full of distractions and diversions.
Mark believes that travel can help us work with our emotions rather than against them. It can amplify our existing traits and force us to work on aspects of ourselves that we wouldn’t otherwise be able to work on.
Mark recommends several books for those interested in philosophy. For beginners, he suggests "Sophie’s World" by Jostein Gaarder for Western philosophy and DT Suzuki’s books for an introduction to Zen Buddhism. For practical applications of ancient philosophy in today’s world, he recommends Jonathan Haidt’s "The Happiness Hypothesis" and Ryan Holiday’s "The Obstacle is the Way."
Mark argues that experiencing pain and stepping out of our comfort zones are essential for growth. He believes that travel can teach us about pain and growth. He fondly recalls his challenging trips to India and Africa as they significantly shaped his understanding of the world.
In conclusion, Mark believes that his new book is worth buying because it’s awesome! It features stories and examples from various cultures around the world. Plus, it includes a soldier from Poland, a monk from Vietnam, historical fiction about Isaac Newton, and a vignette about Friedrich Nietzsche and his oversized mustache. What’s not to love?
Mark Manson is a blogger, entrepreneur, and the best-selling author of "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck," which has sold over 8 million copies worldwide. He specializes in writing personal development advice that doesn’t suck. His website MarkManson.net is read by over 2 million people each month. His new book, "Everything is Fcked: A Book About Hope" is now available. He lives in New York City.
