Life/Perspective changing books or inputs

[TeeDee]

Are there any notable books ,articles or input ( Youtube or other ) that have made or forced you to rethink your own views and opinions that maybe were ingrained? Its possible as we travel through life that we tend to succumb to echo chamber mentality shaped by earlier views or inputs but fail to re-evaluate or question those ideas when we get older ( possibly wiser? ) and have more experience and world view to draw upon what is going on in the world.

Its difficult I think to question and challenge ones own ingrained views or opinions because it takes some level of honest accountable humility.

 

[Broch]

Nothing I have read or seen or heard has changed my mind that the rest of the world (other than me) is mad!

There are a few things that have happened over the last few years that have made me re-evaluate my assumptions about people - not going to discuss them here. I've lost all faith in Homo Sapiens

In the main activity that I'm involved with (conservation, ecology, biodiversity) there is constant change, and it's important to re-evaluate one's own assumptions and knowledge.

Hell, I'm even starting to believe we do have a global climate problem!

 

[William_Montgomery]

I've always tried to be conscious of questioning those ingrained ideas and habits, not always successfully and sometimes it's a lengthy process. I generally do trust my instincts too, so it can be a difficult to find a balance.

The thing that makes me re-evaluate ideas the most though, is always dialogue. If you're lucky enough to have people who you share a common set of values with, trust and who are willing to thrash out ideas, then that is very fortunate, and in my opinion, the best way to avoid echo-chamber mentality.

 

[oldtimer]

Doing an Open University degree in my early forties did it for me. I hadn't realised till then how much i was in thrall to unchallenged ingrained attitudes and ideas from my home and educational background. It was the mental equivalent of that feeling you get when you take off your rucksack at the end of a long trek.
In answer to the question you pose not, I think, for the first time, it is my view that there is no quick fix road to Damascus flash of inspiration that will bring about lasting change: rigorous study and much thought is required.

 

[gibson 175]

Catch 22 - read it when I was 18. Certain bits still resonate.

 

[Broch]

Doing an Open University degree in my early forties did it for me. I hadn't realised till then how much i was in thrall to unchallenged ingrained attitudes and ideas from my home and educational background. It was the mental equivalent of that feeling you get when you take off your rucksack at the end of a long trek.
In answer to the question you pose not, I think, for the first time, it is my view that there is no quick fix road to Damascus flash of inspiration that will bring about lasting change: rigorous study and much thought is required.

Agreed. There is always the danger that individuals jump from one set of beliefs to another, and then another, depending on the eloquence of the speaker at the time. There's also the danger that people tend to delve deeper into one version of 'truth' instead of studying alternative versions - a bit like only reading the Daily Mail

In general I have found it is best to ignore anything said by a passionate disciple and instead seek out moderate explanation of the same AND opposing views.

I am a firm believer in 'the third truth'

 

[Pattree]

Changes to my life perspective have tended to be gradual, an evolution over a lifetime.
Hutton’s Blood and Mistletoe gave me a jolt. Just the first chapter showed me that what we call “History” Is balanced upon so very little and how what started out as interpretations anyway accumulates whatever ideas suit readers and authors. These people go on to to publish their embroidery as if it were fact.

@Broch The next decade is going to be very bumpy but don’t condemn all of humanity. Survival is going to depend upon humanity’s capacity for compassion and caring. The planet lacks principled leadership - its down to you and me to work at a local level until ….. whatever and whenever the next phase happens.

 

[TeeDee]

Doing an Open University degree in my early forties did it for me. I hadn't realised till then how much i was in thrall to unchallenged ingrained attitudes and ideas from my home and educational background. It was the mental equivalent of that feeling you get when you take off your rucksack at the end of a long trek.
In answer to the question you pose not, I think, for the first time, it is my view that there is no quick fix road to Damascus flash of inspiration that will bring about lasting change: rigorous study and much thought is required.

Apologies if i've posed this type of question before - I'd forgotten if I have.

 

[Stew]

Too early to know if it would make a difference to my outcomes but this quote from Bradley Wiggins recently has me thinking….

“I’m not going to rise to the level of my goals but I’m going to fall to the level of my habits.”

 

[demographic]

Catch 22 - read it when I was 18. Certain bits still resonate.

Clay pigeon shooting, the tedious way to immortality.

 

[demented dale]

Are there any notable books ,articles or input ( Youtube or other ) that have made or forced you to rethink your own views and opinions that maybe were ingrained? Its possible as we travel through life that we tend to succumb to echo chamber mentality shaped by earlier views or inputs but fail to re-evaluate or question those ideas when we get older ( possibly wiser? ) and have more experience and world view to draw upon what is going on in the world.

Its difficult I think to question and challenge ones own ingrained views or opinions because it takes some level of honest accountable humility.

Conversations With God book changed my life and how i thought about everything. it also answered every question I ever had about everything, author is neal donald walch. PS it is not a religious book

 

[Foogs]

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson.

There are now a million and one self help books, guides and videos. But this was the first one I read which communicated the fundamentals in a digestible way.

The main thrust is around self-worth and personal boundaries. Things which seem obvious after the fact, but sometimes you don't see the wood for the trees.

It's quite (very) American and occasionally a bit trite, but I'd recommend it if you're in need of motivation.

 

[kard133]

Mark Manson's book, as above was a life saver for me, and Come as you are, by Emily Nagoski, the literal bible on the science of sex, Mind the Gap by Dr Karen Gurney about keeping desire in a relationship alive, and everything by Esther Perel, literally saved and enhanced my relationship with my partner. The Ted Talks by all three of these authors are must watches for anybody in a relationship who wants to keep it long term.

 

[RonW]

Richard Dawkins' "The God delusion" did that, albeit that it propelled me in the exact opposite direction.
It excellerated my quest to find answers and lead me to massively read up on subjects I hitherto had little to no interest in.
A second one is Stephen Jenkinson's "Die wise, a manifesto for sanity and soul".

 

[Tengu]

Ive read so many books its hard to say.

 

[Pattree]

Richard Dawkins' "The God delusion" did that, albeit that it propelled me in the exact opposite direction.

He turned atheism into a religion. Interesting read but I shall not tolerate evangelists.

 

[TeeDee]

Ive read so many books its hard to say.

By itself , reading books means nothing.

 

[Stew]

How about Microadventures - Alastair Humphries.

The eye opener about adventure not having to be some big thing.

 

[Pattree]

By itself , reading books means nothing.

Absolutely disagree.
You never know what might be useful and what two (or more) data might link up into a new idea, a different perspective or an ingenious solution.

The source, genre, even the quality don’t matter. They are all volumes of ideas. Barbara Cartland spent her life juxtaposing heaps of very similar ideas. So did Edward de Bono. They may have written the same book over and over again but something just might spark across them for someone.

 

[TeeDee]

Absolutely disagree.
You never know what might be useful and what two (or more) data might link up into a new idea, a different perspective or an ingenious solution.

The source, genre, even the quality don’t matter. They are all volumes of ideas. Barbara Cartland spent her life juxtaposing heaps of very similar ideas. So did Edward de Bono. They may have written the same book over and over again but something just might spark across them for someone.

And I absolutely disagree with your disagreement.

Schoolchildren are made to read books on various things and unless they apply thinking to the reading it won't engage and it wont lead anything more than the processing of text in and out of the ROM short term memory.

Reading isn't enough by itself.