This long-overdue episode of Random, filmed at Samovar Tea, includes:
– Book updates and new book recommendations (including Omnivore’s Dilemma and If This Is A Man : The Truce)
– Favorite sites, including design-focused sites
– The new Kindle vs. the iPad — pros and cons.
– Book title hijinks and red herrings
– iFly indoor skydiving video (special thanks to Kent and Travis!)
Find all previous episodes of Random here.
Correction: Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev is credited with the modern Periodic Table of Elements, not Primo Levi, who wrote a book entitled “The Periodic Table.”
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The Tim Ferriss Show is one of the most popular podcasts in the world with more than one billion downloads. It has been selected for "Best of Apple Podcasts" three times, it is often the #1 interview podcast across all of Apple Podcasts, and it's been ranked #1 out of 400,000+ podcasts on many occasions. To listen to any of the past episodes for free, check out this page.
Comment Rules: Remember what Fonzie was like? Cool. That’s how we’re gonna be — cool. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation! (Thanks to Brian Oberkirch for the inspiration.)
Tim, you are a god. We have quotes from your book posted up all over our office, and my c.c. number lies in wait for the moment the new book’s available. That said, when you guys mentioned streaming tracks over and over on Pandora, my stomach began to churn. I’ll assume when you “fall in love” with an artist, you then “buy” their music. Yes, I hope so. (Oh, and one more thing: Hot Tub Time Machine?) Okay! We can’t wait for the next blog post.
Peace,
Team Wendy
Hi RJ,
Thanks for the very kind words 🙂
Of course, or I use a service that pays them. I have nothing against paying for quality, and be sure to remember: many of those artists want to be on Pandora. It does help sales. I’ve bought hundreds of tracks from iTunes that I found on Pandora. Love Pandora!
🙂
Tim
Tim,
Many people believe that Dmitry Mendeleev invented periodic table in his dream. Precisely, he was able to find a pattern for the results of his research while he was asleep.
Interestingly, there were other scientists that have discovered the same pattern at around the same time as Mendeleev. Lothar Meyer of Germany is one of them.
Hope this helps.
Great Random episode
Maria
Random Episode? Random VIEWING!
I saw that you had a new video up, and kept it open in one of my Opera tabs to watch later. I then proceeded to finish my laundry, and go pick up some Vietnamese take-out. When I arrive back at my apartment, I put the food down on my desk, dump the fish sauce and ho-sin sauce on my vermicelli, and start playing the episode. 15 seconds into the episode, I accidentally knock the take-out container towards me (it almost defied the laws of physics), and dump a pile full of stir fry onto my lap. I then stand up and carefully put the food back in the container, clean up the fish sauce all over the floor with a Swiffer, and watch the video.
Great episode TimTim…..still not sure if it was worth dumping my food into my lap over… : fk’in hell hahahaha
Great video Tim!
You guys are funny and make great book recommendations. I just started reading the 4-hr work week as it was suggested to me by a friend who owned her own business, sold it off at a tremendous profit and has been traveling around South East Asia for a few months thinking of new business ideas that free up her time.
Anyway, just wanted to share this article : http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/How-to-Spend-Money-So-It-usnews-1822912287.html?x=0
For me, it goes in line with the idea that ‘doing’ can bring a lot more satisfaction/happiness/excitement than ‘having’ at least for some of us. Gracias por todas las sugerencias, y me encantaria leer tu nuevo libro!
Saludos,
thank you for shaing this post.
I also decided to jump into the eBook front but I went with the nook instead of the Kindle. I made my decision after the nook dropped to $150, but before the Kindle was announced at $139. 😛 I’m happy with it so far. Finished “The Black Swan” last week and I’m working on “Blink” now
Looks like the embedded video uses flash. Any chance a hi-res version can be uploaded to YouTube for iPad users?
Hey Tim,
Nice podcast again.
If you like Inception you could also check out a movie from 1983 called Dreamscape (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087175/) which is about the same subject. One thing to notice: eigthies cgi and a young Dennis Quaid…
Have a great weekend,
Robbert
Oh, snatch! 🙂
I love your show guys. I admire and respect your passion for sport, Tim.
Thanks for this post!
Tim,
now when you’ve tried iFly, why not check out the championships? I found some seriously cool choreographed moves on youtube (link above) They’ve got some moves that makes Matrix/Kill Bill/any matrial arts movie look like something for kids.
Isabelle
Loved the website NotCot.com very unique design concepts! Will keep it when in need of some inspiration.
Agreed with everyone here, great episode!
Awesome, we didn’t have to wait months for another Random episode, and yet another great episode. Good job!
Tim,
Watched the video the other day, and just came across this…. http://screencast.com/t/OGI1MDJj. Is this the Facebook ad you’re referring to?
Tim,
I am still seeing these adds pop up with your face on them on facebook.
http://www.getsourcecontrol.com/?hop=lazybum198
🙁
“Tim is an undiscovered skydiver” was my second major thought as I read your book last year. You can learn to think, then to party, and finally dance in 3-D as you overcome total panic and even “transcend fear” while body surfing thin air! If you are vigilant the risks are minimal, much like motorcycling, except safer and faster! Infinitely rewarding, deeply spiritual, never mastered.
200mph, head down, a couple of feet from a couple of friends is a fun jump to work towards. Then as the planet rushes you finally stop playing and start saving your life, ditching your friends and opening your chute. All is quiet, beyond peaceful, alone and alive, still high above the real world. Skydiving gave me the strength to take your advice, escape my cube 6 weeks ago and “go all in”, leaving a pretty cushy career to (sooner, not later) skydive the world, working 4 hours/week of course.
My first thought as I read your book was “This is it! This guy rocks! My dreams on a platter! ” So if you ever consider it, the best instructors and equipment will be standing by at my “home DropZone”. A wicked-built Honda RC51 waits to ferry you out to the DZ, if you like. Only thing not covered… you gotta buy the case of beer after your first solo! FAA regs I think.
Blue Skies!
Thanks for the offer, Charlie! Hmmm… very tempted… 🙂
Tim,
I don’t think you’re “dirty little secret” is a crap ebook called “source control” put out by Muselife who you have given (very generous) publicity to. I see other people have seen the same ads, hope you get your name off of them.
Cheers!
Hi Tim,
just wanted to warn you that there is a huge “volcano” adSense ad on your homepage that links to dianetics.org.
Since it seems to be an official website of scientology, I thought you might want to know so you decide if you leave it there or not.
Sebastien
Oh, jeez. Thanks for the heads up. I’ll take that down pronto!
Much appreciated,
Tim
yo tim
had a request for your future post
your post from 2007
the “How to Travel the World with 10 Pounds or Less (Plus: How to Negotiate Convertibles and Luxury Treehouses) ”
can you do an updated one for current day with all the new products and technological advances that have happened i mean if that stuff was high tech back them with your domain knowledge and cutting edge big picture architecture like design ability i am curious what you would say now better or differently in light of new expanded experience, resources, and knowledge
just a thought
take it easy much love
-josh
iPad vs Kindle ? Easy, they are both crap.Get a good old book in the meantime…
Repetition is a Form of Change
Listening to the same piece of music over and over while preforming complex tasks puts the brain into a hyper concentration pattern and allows it to focus. The brain sees a familiar stream of information and It knows what is coming next in the music. These patterns allow you to concentrate and use instinct to perform the next step in your task with greater precision. I know surgeons that use this technique as well as artists.
One of my favorite pieces of music to put on repeat when I am building custom guitars is No Pussyfooting by Robert Fripp and Brian Eno
I would really love to get a Kindle, but my issue is that their e-books are often more expensive than the physical paperbacks or even hardcovers! That just seems silly, and is financially off putting for me.
For example, the recommended Omnivore’s Dilemma is $7.89, kindle edition: $12.99.
I run a small music company (artist development/management/label) and our industry has clearly suffered from the same, with digital albums costing close to or sometimes even more than their physical counterparts. I hope Amazon, and mostly the content owners, will realize this is not really a sustainable model. A digital book should always be cheaper than the physical.
Tim-
I was first introduced to Kettlebells when I first started doing Crossfit 5 years ago. I even bucked up and purchased a 24kg (1.5 pood)- shipping was a killer!
Had a quick question regarding the Delivery Happiness book that was mentioned. Glenn had made a comment about a case study in the launch of the book, but I didn’t get where that case study actually is. In the book or in one of the future videos?
As a hopeful future author, I’m doing all the research I can it help promoting my book. Love all the tips you’ve shared. Thanks!
Hi Jeff,
I just meant Hsieh’s launch was a good case study, but not that it had been recorded somewhere. For that, just search “case study new york times” on this blog. I outline much of what I did.
Good luck!
Tim
Hi Tim,
Great video! Your kettle bell hands look familiar to me (as one who loves crossfit.com). Nothing like a good kettle bell, pood workout. Your workout (with goals) sounds wise. Another reason I like crossfit is that you are constantly trying to beat your previous weights/times.
Keep on living and sharing the awesomeness with the rest of us.
-eric
Wow, just finished Layer Cake. Amazing look into how events can twist into a real hurricane, and how staying calm and logical can allow one to find the eye of the storm. Quite the ironic ending as well, though a bit sad. Keep up the great work Tim, you are an inspiration.
I love the red herring idea, that’s brilliant! Now I just need to write a book to use it 😉
I love the diversion on the book name, screw those parasites that are trying to make money off of your hard work without actually providing a value.
Josh Bulloc
Kansas City, MO
I love the indoor skydiving, your episodes are always inspiring.
Hi-energy-level Tim: even a bad idea is a winner with you, man! I am jealous.
Kevin made me LOL!
We put the kids to bed, then he settles in with his iPad and me with my Droid Incredible, to wrap up the day. I wonder how long until Apple’s marketing folks realize the iPad’s true niche is in bed.
Thanks Tim & Kevin! I have to say I am a Random Show fan.
-And I don’t usually admit to being a fan of anything!
I am pleased by what Kevin said about the Kindle, as I splashed out and pre-ordered one yesterday (will be a while before they are available in New Zealand).
@Kyle when you get to NZ look me up if you come down Hamilton way. Will be interested to hear of your experiences, and may be able to point you to some things to see while you are here…
Hi, Tim!
I’m reading your book. It’s awesome, really! I mean, it’s like I’ve already knew some stuff in general, but when it was written so detailed and convincing it is perceived in a different way.
Anyway, now I’ve read 5 chapters. I want to ask you for a piece of advice. I have some goals to achieve during next 3 months:
1. Prepare for IELTS Exam (i want to immigrate to Canada)
2. Find a way to earn money through the internet, so I could spend more time to Immigration process and to myself
Furthermore, I want to find a job/business in Canada I could apply to, when I immigrate.
What should I do first? (I know, I should read the book to the last page and do all of the exercises, but still)
Sorry for my English. I’m from Russia, so I’m writing in English not very often.
Sincerely,
Radik.
@troy, jason, kyleschen.. about the Facebook ads…
As the publisher of the book, they’re pissing us off as much as anyone, and are being run by a rogue affiliate marketer that’s resorted to shady tactics to sell the product. I’m actively working to kill what’s happening, but it’s just been an ordeal to track down the person running them – so we’ve escalated it all to get it dealt with. Tim’s been patient throughout, and it’s magnanimous to not have gotten into the details in the Random episode. If anyone does see the ads, please flag them as inappropriate/spam so Facebook gets wind of it.
So, hope there’s no ill-will from everyone… it’s being dealt with as actively as possible right now. Hate to see Tim’s photos being used like that. Beyond what I’m doing, karma will ultimately do its thing.
David
Another great episode Tim and Kevin! Question for Tim – Did you say that you received the Russian kettle ball certification in Minnesota? I’ve been training with kettle balls since I read in article about a band using them to stay in shape on tour, and I’d love to become certified. Keep the Random stuff coming!
Cheers!
-Matthew
Yessir. Just go to http://www.dragondoor.com and look for certifications, or you can just google “RKC”. Good luck!
Tim,
Wonderfully composed episode, enjoyed watching the back and forth banter between you and Kevin Rose.
If This Is A Man: The Truce by Primo Levi sounds like a good book, definitely something I would pick up at the bookstore. I can only imagine how deeply gratifying it would be explore with the author such a personal life journey/experience.
Thank you for sharing,
Sarah R.
Fun video & nice book recommendations (a topic I hope continues to be used for future episodes). I just finished 80/10/10 Diet by Dr. Graham and I remember Tim you’ve mentioned the Vegan diet approach doesn’t click for you. Any chance for further explanation of this topic in your book or any resources you’d recommend? Thanks for the always insightful and fun content. Cheers -George-
Hey Tim,
I had a program created that allows you to watch movies on your computer without the monitor shutting off.
It’s free and was hoping you could mention it in a Random episode if you like it.
For now I just have a link that installs on the user’s desktop that could potentially generate revenue.
You can learn more at the URL above.
Thanks.
Good discussion again Tim,
Idk if this has been answered yet but when is the new book coming out?
And sorry for being a fanboy but I’m going with iPad all the way. Kindle just doesn’t have enough features to satisfy me.
It’s most likely January, but I’ll keep y’all posted 🙂
Tim,
I think it is interesting what you had to say about listening to music while writing. I am impressed that you can focus on your writing while listening to such loud music!
The idea of looping a song over and over while writing I have also heard about before, but from a different source–Douglas Adams. He’s one of my favorite authors and I remember reading that he would write while listening to the same Beatles’ song over and over. I think he mentioned “Baby Won’t You Drive My Car” as one of them. He was also obsessed with Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos.
Hi. Tim
Did you hear about Jet Blue’s unlimited one-month pass ?
unfortunately, I am not able to take advantage this time.
But if anyone is crazy enough to go on a 30flights in 30 days adventure, I had a feeling that he or she will be reading your blog. 🙂
if anyone here does take advantage of the one-month pass, remember pour a drink for the poor sucker(me) stuck at home. 😛
Have fun.
David
Great episode guys.
I have a question about kettle bell design. I have seen them at the gym but have never used them. Is there a reason that they do not have some kind of protective grip to stop from ripping up your hands? Or is the friction needed in order to achieve perfect form?
Hi Tim,
Cannot wait to read your new book!
Please, make it fast! 😉
Great episode as usual. Tim you look better everytime I see you. I can’t wait to read the new book even though I’m not sure I want to turn into a superman :S
Now related to that, I’m curious about you doing videos with women. Anything planned with a successful internet or blogging lady? did I miss articles or aren’t there just interesting e-girls out there?
Thanks for the updates
Hi Sophie!
I’d love to do a video with a kick-ass woman. Kev and I usually just film as the two of us, but do you have any suggestions or requests?
Un abrazo (Barcelona, verdad?),
Tim
what this episode tells about?
writing while listening loud music, did it make you unfocused or even make you get more inspiration?
waiting for your update ^_^
Hey Tim,
Where do you recommend buying your kettle bells at ? Thanks a million.
Jose
@ Dana,
You can get kettle bells with rubber grips on the handle or on the bell but they can be hard to work with. Some KB exercises (snatch, clean and jerk) require you to turn the bell over in your hand. This would be really difficult with a rubber grip.
This vid has some good examples:
Jason
You guys have done a great job of taking what amounts to almost a table top conversation and making it very interesting. Love the videos. Keep em’ coming please.
Bro. Thanks for the shades!! My brand Maui Jim. Fantastic challenge, great response. Keep Rollin my friend – see you in SoBe.
I have to say it’s pretty amazing that you are introducing people to Primo Levi. My father was a holocaust survivor and I studied the Holocaust and WWII but it’s amazing to me how little people in my generation know about the stories of survivors (I’m 27, my father was pretty old when he had me). There is something profoundly humbling and also inspiring about revisiting their stories.
Do you still need to get in contact with Sevendust?
Hi JS,
I’m working on it, but all help is appreciated! Please let me know more via amy-at-fourhourworkweek-dot-com.
Thanks!
Tim
I am a Chinese college student and i hear something about you from radio today.So i google you and find here.Just want you to know, i think you are awesome.I am working for scholarship to the U.S.A.If i could make it,i wish to attend your lecture and see you face to face.
Repetitive focus-inducing music recommendation : Philip Glass. He’s a composer out of New York. SICK stuff.
I need validation on an online retail store idea and a social network idea.
Any recommendations on an experienced internet entrepreneur that I can call and get feedback for my ideas from?
Hey Tim!!!
Great episode I love these so much. I do believe however that the special forces test is actually 10 minutes of max KB snatches with 1.5 pood. You cannot put the kettle bell down for those 10 minutes, and your score is the amount of snatches you get, i believe 200 was the “goal” or something.
Speaking of which, I compete in CrossFit and I was just wondering why you dont do it or anything? It seems like you do the same things we do, what are your thoughts on it?
Thanks!
Hi Devin,
I’ve spent a lot of time with CrossFit folks and have done a fair amount of CF training, but I dislike the emphasis of some trainers on minimum rest when incorporating movements with high injury potential like Olympic lifts. That said, I think the metabolic conditioning (MetCon) work is great for fighters and anaerobically-inclined athletes of 15 minutes or less.
I used to train with guys out of the Santa Cruz CrossFit when I was at the Ralph Gracie Academy in Mountain View. Tough dudes.
Tim
Hi Tim!
I very much enjoy reading your posts and watching the random show.
I’d like to suggest that you write down the time when each “chapter” in the random show begins so I can faster watch the parts I’m really interested in.
Greetings from Switzerland
Hi Tim,
Big fan of the blog, especially the Random Show.
Any more travel episodes in the near future? The China vids are great.
Love the book recommendations. I just wish there was an easier way to keep track of what you and your commenters/fans recommend. Like some wordpress widget, or some amazon app, I don’t know.
My book recommendation for you both is “You Are Not a Gadget: A Manifesto” by Jaron Lanier. It would be cool to get both of your takes on a book that criticizes, in a sincere and intelligent way, much of what you are involved with. The show is really cool, but maybe it’s time to change it up and reflect a bit. 🙂 Sean
Hey guys,
First time to actually check out the site, but great video, I like the insight, and it’s fun to see the new rich in action. I just started making my journey to the lifestyle as well, as I just graduated school and already see the misery in my friends who took 9-5 jobs, and remember how bad it sucks to work all the time, it steals my youth and creativity.
Tim,
With the website you were talking about it seems like your into design etc. I found it interesting how artist and marketers will use the divine proportion (Phi) in a lot of advertisements, as I saw it on some in the website. ( It seems like a lot of companies are forgetting this tactic.)
Kevin,
Fflick is a crazy site and is definitely a great way to see trends for movies, but also opens up the possibilities for other trend sites you hear about people using. I read in Dan Browns new book, and in it, he talks about how the government may use social networks and text messages to also try to get a trend or feel for the American. His books are hard to take the facts from fiction, but this new technology does take the imagination on a roller coaster ride for me from a business standpoint.
One can see trends for investing, in not just stocks, but companies, elections, etc. This could also be used in a political way for politicians to see the citizens views on a point, but maybe better yet, for citizens to be able to see everyone’s thoughts in a large scale. It definitely seems to be more precise then other market research. Crazy stuff haha.
Well thanks for the book Tim, and for the insight guys. Its also cool to see you actually read your comments. Wish me luck in my new journey!
Smashing stuff! Love your content! Your book became my go to birthday present for all my friends this year. Can’t wait for the next one.
Saw a post about mentoring form a lad named Kyle and agree it would be great to hear some more of in-depth thoughts on the subject.
I’m about to launch my first business and I’m running round with the alacrity of a ferret right now, (which I’m sure is familiar feeling to most budding entrepreneurs), and it would be great to have someone to talk to and make sure the energy is being channeled in the right directions.
While on the topic, did you ever use SCORE when you were a newbie to the business world?
Thanks again mate and looking forward to the next blog and the new BOOK!
Tim,
As an idea for a future episode. It would be good to hear how you structure your ‘advisor’ deals. You have mentioned that you invest and advise various companies, without breaching the confidence of individual deals, it would be interesting to know how these are structured. e.g. Do you take a retainer for each deal, is it a pure equity %, do you insist on options on exit etc.
Thanks, Martin
Hey Tim,
Sweet Episode, as usual. Now that you’ve done iFly, you should check out getting your skydiving license. I did last fall, and it was incredible. And since you like pushing your boundaries…..
Thanks,
Jamie
Have never seen you guys cover craft beers – curious on your thoughts on quality beer.
Tim, I enjoyed the discussion. You should do a weekly blog on the best unknown sites on the internet. The 4HWW opened up a new world for me as far as using the internet is concerned. I look forward to having success with my new virtual assistant and hope to incorporate other internet ideas. Have a great day.
Dude,
Who doesn’t love snatch? I could see you trying not to laugh at that one.
Love your book and blog. Since listening to the audio version I feel like Neo in the Matrix. I took the red pill and I can never go back.
🙂
Love your shows, thanks
Tim: Re load times, Youtube is infinitely better for me than Vimeo.
These episodes are awesome. It’s cool to see you shoot the breeze. Two brilliant people that compliment the convo nicely.
hey Tim, first time I’ve watched a Random episode before – was great to hear your thoughts on the latest and greatest from down here in New Zealand.
I just had to share with you something better than iFly 😉
As you know us Kiwis are well known for adventure sport. Here’s a kiwi version of iFly downunder which is done outside!! I’ve done it and it’s great!!
Go see freefallxtreme – shame they don’t have video, but the testimonial page with everyone’s faces says it all 🙂
Great post. Lots of great info
Hell yeah repping Breaking Benjamin. Love your music taste.
Tim,
awesome episode as always! I just have a little suggestion regarding video navigation for the random show, so I made this little 1min video where i explain it. Hope you like it 🙂
Thanks, Sven
I like these shows and would really like more episodes but for it to be “random” I guess i gotta wait till you and Kevin are ready to do another one.
Keep up the good work guys!
Hahahaha Tim, you trying to hold in your laughter while talking about “Snatch” is hilarious. Love it.
Hi Tim,
You mentioned a few of the bands you like to listen to when you write. Can you give us a more complete list of music you listen to? Can you give us your playlist for various tasks like writing, gym, driving etc…
I listened to “The Diary of Jane” by Breaking Benjamin for the first time after you mentioned it on this show and I really liked it. I would like to see if there are any others that you suggest that I might like.
Music can be a great way to change your mood or motivate you. It would make a great blog post to list your music playlists.
Thanks mate
Wobble
Hey Tim,
Love the random episodes but where did episode 13 go?!
L
“Snatch is amazing” Well said Mr.Rose. You took the words right out of my mouth.
I feel like a ten year old boy laughing my a** off. Glad Tim thought it was funny too.
i am amazed by all the things you do. i just want to know how you manage your time to do all this?
I love these episodes man! Pure awesomeness in a nutshell!
Found these just recently and I must say, they are a perfect to start the day with in combination of a fresh, nice and tasty cup of coffee! Which I have been doing now for the past days.
Let your awesomeness flow and make some more will you?
Best regards from snowy Sweden!
Always love hearing new books recommendation! Thanks Tim I’ve got new books to read.