16. Goes to 11: A.J. Jacobs x ‘The Bible’
2 Pages with MBS - A podcast by Michael Bungay Stanier - Tuesdays
There’s a scene in the music mockumentary, This Is Spinal Tap, where one character reveals his amp collection. One, in particular, goes up to eleven -- not the usual ten -- for when you want to take it over the top. But what if you don’t play guitar? What if the thing you took to eleven was your curiosity about how life works? Author A.J. Jacobs is someone who plays to eleven. He is famous for writing about his lifestyle experiments, has done everything from fitness to smartness to religious, and has adopted the title of ‘human guinea pig.’ Get book links and resources at https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ A.J. reads from Ecclesiastes 9:7-12. [reading begins at 10:08] Hear us further discuss: “How much of life is luck?” [14:04] | Reframing a bad break: “Embrace the suck.” [20:08] | Carpe diem. [22:37] | Dignity of work and commitment: “Do something in the world! Don’t sit back and be a passive observer.” [25:18] | Finding the courage to commit fully. [26:38] | Wisdom: distinguishing wisdom from knowledge. [29:50]
