Member-only story
Three Books Naval Ravikant Thinks That Every Human Should Read
Recommendations from a modern-day philosopher-entrepreneur.
If you’re anything like me, you’re always on the hunt for that next life-changing read.
And who better to take book recommendations from than Naval Ravikant, the modern-day philosopher-entrepreneur who’s got Twitter hanging on his every word? I mean, the guy’s a walking treasure trove of insights on everything from business to personal development.
I’ve dug deep into interviews, podcasts, and even his Twitter feed to find out which books this intellectual powerhouse believes every human should read.
The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable
by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Naval Ravikant: “Good books are worth re-reading. Great books are worth re-buying.”
This book by Nassim Nicholas Taleb is like that friend who tells you the harsh truths you don’t want to hear but absolutely need to.
It’s all about the impact of highly improbable events — those rare, unpredictable occurrences that shake up our world and defy all our expectations.
I picked up this book right around the time I was diving into my dropshipping venture. I thought I had it all figured out — find a niche, set up a store, and watch the money roll in. But Taleb’s book slapped me with a reality check —
Life is full of uncertainties, and no amount of planning can account for the unpredictable.
Taleb argues that we’re all too focused on the “known unknowns,” while it’s the “unknown unknowns” — the Black Swans — that really mess things up. These are events that come out of nowhere and have a massive impact, like the financial crisis of 2008 or even the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reading “The Black Swan” made me realize that my business plans, no matter how foolproof they seemed, were vulnerable to forces beyond my control.
It taught me the importance of flexibility, of being prepared for the unexpected, and of not putting all my eggs in one basket.
