TED talk review-Tim Ferris
Originally published at Jason's Fresh Produce. You can comment here or there.
Inspired by Cort, I downloaded all the TED talk podcasts to my iPod and I’ve been listening to them on my commute.
Listen to the talk here: http://www.ted.com/talks/tim_ferriss_smash_fear_learn_anything.html
This morning I listened to Tim Ferriss, author of “The 4-hour Work Week,” talking about his ability to deconstruct things. I’m familiar with Ferris previously from his book and his TV-series (in which he demonstrating his skill by picking up complex activities in a single week).
I’ve come to the conclusion that he must be somewhat OCD. He studies his chosen activity-whether it is Tango, Japanese language, or archery-with an unbelievable focus, and he repeats the “building block” pieces hundreds or thousands of times.
His demonstrations engender, at least in me, equal parts awe, jealousy, and doubt. Is he really doing that? I wish I could do that. (Or do I?).
It would definitely be awesome to be able to do a mean tango, or speak Japanese, but would it be useful? Would it be fulfilling? Would the week (or month, or 6 months) of intense learning be fun, or painful? Would it be worth it? Most of us have the handy exucse of work insulating us from ever having to find out.
Anyway, the talk is somewhat thought provoking, but short on details. Like most Tim Ferriss produce, it is mostly about Tim Ferriss. He’s sort of like a more arrogant Tony Robbins.