David Foster Wallace
American fiction writer and essayist (1962–2008)
Common Themes
Videos Mentioning David Foster Wallace
Dopamine Expert: How TikTok Is Physically Rewiring Your Brain (Permanent Damage?)
The Diary Of A CEO
Author whose book 'Infinite Jest' picked up on themes similar to 'Amusing Ourselves to Death'.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck — Mark Manson on Writing, Career Reinvention, and More
Tim Ferriss
A non-fiction writer who made Mark Manson want to be a writer, particularly his essay 'A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again'.
The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck: Mark Manson | E111
The Diary Of A CEO
Writer whose quote about people seldom thinking of you (in the context of worrying less about others' opinions) is Mark Manson's favorite.
#130 - Carol Tavris, Ph.D. & Elliot Aronson, Ph.D.: Recognizing and overcoming cognitive dissonance
Peter Attia MD
Author who gave a commencement speech about the unconscious nature of things like water to a fish, analogous to how cognitive dissonance operates unconsciously in human lives.
168 - Hugh Jackman: Reflections on acting, identity, personal transformation, and being Wolverine
Peter Attia MD
An author whose commencement address 'This Is Water' is mentioned by Peter Attia for its eloquent discussion of sacrificing for others.
#119 – Terry Real: Breaking the cycle of shame, anger, and depression
Peter Attia MD
Author whose commencement speech 'This Is Water' is recognized by Peter Attia for discussing grandiosity as a root of misery.
RZA: Wu-Tang Clan, Kung Fu, Chess, God, Life, and Death | Lex Fridman Podcast #228
Lex Fridman
Author of the short story 'Consider the Lobster,' whose work explores philosophical perspectives on suffering and existence.
Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning | Lex Fridman Podcast #227
Lex Fridman
A contemporary American author, whose work is described as brilliant for observing the modern world's temptation for diversion through entertainment. His tragic suicide and philosophical explorations of boredom and peak experiences are discussed in relation to finding meaning.
Jocko Willink and Mike Sarraille - Helping Veterans Transition into the Private Sector
Y Combinator
Author whose quote about 'This is water' is used as an analogy for Jocko's ingrained warrior mindset.
#86 – Damon Hill: Overcoming loss, achieving success, and finding one’s identity
Peter Attia MD
An American novelist, short story writer, and essayist, whose quote about 'everyone worships something' is referenced by the host.
#34 – Sam Harris, Ph.D.: The transformative power of mindfulness
Peter Attia MD
Author of the 'This is Water' commencement speech, which Peter Attia finds very impactful.
Donald Knuth: Programming, Algorithms, Hard Problems & the Game of Life | Lex Fridman Podcast #219
Lex Fridman
An author whom Lex Fridman mentions, quoting his idea that the key to life is 'to be unborable,' aligning with Knuth's philosophy of finding interest in everything.
Full Length Episode | #174 | February 17, 2022
Cal Newport
An American novelist whose inclusion marked the end of the 'All Things Shining' curriculum, bridging classical and modern literature.
#28–Mark & Chris Bell: steroids, powerlifting, addiction, diet, training, & helping others live well
Peter Attia MD
An author Peter Attia admires, known for eloquently discussing how individuals often feel alone because they only experience the world from their own vantage point.
The Deep Life — Cal Newport
Tim Ferriss
Author used in 'All Things Shining' to personify the difficulty of creating meaning from scratch, ending tragically in suicide.
#78 – Sasha Cohen: The price of achievement, and redefining success
Peter Attia MD
Author of 'This Is Water', a talk recommended by Peter Attia for its insights on self-worship and the hollowness of external achievements.
Michael Schur — Lessons from "The Office" and SNL, Moral Philosophy, Storytelling, and More
Tim Ferriss
American author who wrote 'Infinite Jest' and had a lasting fascination for Michael Schur. Schur regretted not rekindling their correspondence.
Jeff Hawkins: The Thousand Brains Theory of Intelligence | Lex Fridman Podcast #208
Lex Fridman
Cited for his idea that 'the key to life is to be unborable'.
Josh Waitzkin - The Cave Process, Advice from Future Selves, and More | The Tim Ferriss Show
Tim Ferriss
Author mentioned in the context of his 'This is Water' speech, used as an analogy for Tim Ferriss's ability to help people see their 'water' or their blind spots.
#15 – Paul Conti, M.D.: trauma, suicide, community, and self-compassion
Peter Attia MD
An American author (e.g., Infinite Jest) whose insights into humanity and the "disease of modern civilization" (unhappiness in privileged generations) are highly admired; tragically died by suicide.
Marco Canora — The Art of Food, Eating, Nutrition, and Life | The Tim Ferriss Show
Tim Ferriss
Author of 'This Is Water,' a book frequently gifted by Marco Canora.
Josh Waitzkin on Beginner’s Mind, Self Actualization and More | The Tim Ferriss Show
Tim Ferriss
Author whose 'This Is Water' speech is referenced to illustrate the difficulty of perceiving one's own mental models and the environment.
Ryan Holiday Interviews Tim Ferriss | The Tim Ferriss Show
Tim Ferriss
An American author mentioned as an example of a writer whose dense works might tempt readers to finish them out of obligation rather than enjoyment, illustrating why Tim Ferriss advocates dropping boring books.
Michael Malice: Christmas Special | Lex Fridman Podcast #347
Lex Fridman
Author whose novels are mentioned for their philosophical depth, drawing a comparison to 'Fight Club.'