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Would you rather evolve into an Eloi or a Morlock? In this episode, I dive into H.G. Wells ’The Time Machine', a short but hugely influential classic that may be one of the earliest stories to imagine time travel as a machine-driven journey into the future. I walk through the novel’s framing device, the Time Traveller’s unsettling visit to roughly 800,000 AD, and the split future of humanity into the carefree Eloi and the subterranean Morlocks. From there, I unpack why the book still holds up: its eerie vision of evolution, class division, and social decay, plus the way Wells blends scientific curiosity with imaginative speculation to create a compelling early sci-fi adventure. I also share what stood out to me most as a reader: the novel’s clever structure, its surprisingly gritty tone, and Wells’ deeply pessimistic view of humanity’s future. While I don’t rate it as an all-time personal favourite, I do think it’s well worth reading if you’re interested in the roots of science fiction, time travel stories, or how late-19th-century anxieties about class, progress and civilisation found their way into fiction. It’s a quick read, historically important, and full of ideas that still feel worth discussing today.  If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:15) The Time Traveller sets off and reaches the far future (00:02:44) Eloi paradise and the horror of the Morlocks (00:04:49) Social themes and evolution gone backwards (00:08:30) Science fiction ideas and suspended disbelief (00:11:47) Narrative structure and standout moments (00:14:01) H G Wells and his bleak view of humanity (00:17:23) Final verdict and why the book still matters (00:19:18) Comparisons, Weena and the book's darker edge (00:21:59) What I am reading next  Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFq Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

A bigger world. More perspectives. Nearly 900 pages. But is A Clash of Kings actually better than A Game of Thrones? In this Mere Mortals book review, I share my honest thoughts on George R. R. Martin’s second A Song of Ice and Fire novel—as someone reading the books without having watched the television series. I enjoyed the journey, particularly Tyrion’s chapters, Arya’s perspective and Martin’s immersive writing. But the slower build, scattered storylines and unresolved threads left me missing some of the first book’s intensity. 00:00 Is bigger actually better? 00:15 A Clash of Kings: the setup 01:59 My verdict versus A Game of Thrones 04:07 A bigger world, more unfinished stories 06:44 Tyrion shines—but where is Robb? 08:04 Pacing and the Battle of the Blackwater 09:05 Arya, food and immersive detail 10:15 Was it worth the read? 11:09 Your thoughts—and what comes next Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast  Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFq Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

Sure is a lot of hanky panky going on in a sexually repressive time. In this episode, I review John Steinbeck’s The Wayward Bus, a 1947 novel that sits somewhere in his middle period and while not usually counted among his greatest literary achievements is clearly packed with the sort of vivid, messy human character work he does so well. I walk through the book’s loose premise — a stranded bus, a roadside station, and a cast of passengers and workers thrown together — and talk about why the story feels less like a tightly structured plot and more like a vehicle for Steinbeck to explore personality, motive and tension. For me, that’s where the novel really shines: not in grand narrative payoff, but in the way Steinbeck builds believable people and lets their inner thoughts drive their actions. I also dig into what I saw as one of the book’s strongest undercurrents: the sexual tension running through nearly every interaction. Set in a more outwardly modest post-WWII, the novel still reveals how little human nature really changes beneath the surface. I reflect on the ways desire, jealousy, insecurity and attraction shape the characters and how Steinbeck captures those dynamics with an honesty that still feels recognisable today. My overall take: The Wayward Bus is a solid, casual Steinbeck read — not on the level of East of Eden or The Grapes of Wrath, but still an enjoyable novel if you love sharp character observation. I gave it a 6.5/10. If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:20) The Wayward Bus synopsis and cast of characters (00:04:13) Steinbeck's loose storytelling and postwar setting (00:06:45) Camille, desire and repression on the bus (00:09:58) Can men and women be just friends (00:12:33) Why human nature has not changed much (00:15:15) A real life example of social and sexual tension (00:17:29) Final verdict and where this book fits in Steinbeck (00:19:42) What Kyrin is reading and episode wrap up  Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFq Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

My first Franz Kafka read was weird, vivid and surprisingly enjoyable. In this Mere Mortals Book Review, I share my thoughts on Metamorphosis and the other short stories in this Penguin collection. From Gregor Samsa’s transformation to a tense taxi dispute and an unexpected insight about achievement, Kafka packs strange situations, precise details and memorable ideas into remarkably short stories. I discuss alienation, family dependence, Kafka’s writing style, and why reading at a conversational pace helped me enjoy this collection. ⚠️ Spoilers: the Metamorphosis plot discussion starts at 07:39 and includes the ending. Skip to 09:59 to avoid it. CHAPTERS 00:00 My first encounter with Kafka 00:30 Kafka’s background and literary legacy 01:55 What’s in this short-story collection? 03:03 Kafka’s style and finding my reading pace 04:29 Tiny details that make the writing vivid 05:58 A short reading and everyday observations 07:39 Metamorphosis plot and themes — spoilers 09:59 Point of view and writing outside a day job 11:05 The Aeroplanes at Brescia: the taxi dispute 13:07 The biplane and perfect achievement 14:30 Final thoughts: would I recommend Kafka? Have you read Kafka? What did Gregor’s transformation mean to you—and which Kafka book should I read next? Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFq Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

The best way to understand apathy is to not understand at all. In this episode, I’m back with a review of Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood, the 1966 classic that helped define the true crime genre. I unpack the book’s retelling of the brutal Clutter family murders in Kansas, the psychology of Perry Smith and Richard Hickock and Capote’s readable, gripping style. While I can appreciate the book’s historical importance, strong reporting and the way it gives readers close access to the killers, I kept coming back to the same question: why? For me, the most unsettling part was that there doesn’t seem to be any satisfying meaning behind the crime beyond damaged people committing senseless violence. I also reflect on why true crime generally doesn’t work for me, despite how popular it is. Reading this didn’t leave me feeling wiser or more understanding of the world — it mostly left me feeling sad. I touch on the ethical questions around capital punishment, the lack of redemption in the story and why meaningless suffering makes this such a heavy read. My final take: it’s an important and well-written book for those interested in true crime, but personally it wasn’t for me and I land at roughly a 2.5 out of 10.  If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:01) What In Cold Blood is about (00:02:19) The killers and the senseless motive (00:07:05) Why true crime leaves him cold (00:09:54) Truman Capote and the book's reporting style (00:11:52) Capital punishment and moral questions (00:15:42) Final verdict and whether it is worth reading (00:18:13) What is next for the book reviews  Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFq Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

Can a book about stupidity leave you feeling stupider? The Psychology of Stupidity, edited by Jean-François Marmion, promises explanations from some of the world's smartest people. I finished it wondering how it became a bestseller. In this Mere Mortals Book Review, I explain why the collection disappointed me: repetitive discussions of terminology, arguments I found one-sided, and interviews that didn't deliver the depth I was hoping for. I also discuss the handful of ideas I did find interesting, before looking more closely at the book's treatment of artificial intelligence, meat-eating and intelligence, and its conversation with Daniel Kahneman. These are my reactions to the book and the way its arguments are presented. If you enjoyed it, I'd love to hear what worked for you. CHAPTERS 00:00 The book and its big promise 00:21 Red flags—and my dad's warning 01:01 What I hoped to learn 01:41 The “world's smartest people” pitch 02:37 How the collection is structured 03:06 My verdict—and the few bright spots 04:09 Repetition instead of insight 05:30 The artificial intelligence argument 08:19 Meat-eating, intelligence and missing balance 10:30 The interviews I wanted more from 11:47 What did I actually learn? 12:23 Would I recommend it? BOOK The Psychology of Stupidity Edited by Jean-François Marmion Subscribe to Mere Mortals Book Reviews for more honest reviews, practical ideas and conversations about the books we read. Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast  Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFq Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

Can uncertainty make you stronger and does Antifragile actually show you how? In this Mere Mortals Book Review, Juan explores Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. There are powerful ideas here, but I finished the book with mixed feelings about its practical application, repetition and relentless personal attacks. I unpack the difference between fragile, robust and antifragile, explore the barbell strategy and question how easily these frameworks translate into everyday life. My biggest takeaway? Via negativa: improving by removing harmful habits and unnecessary complexity. Sometimes progress comes from subtraction. We also explore why a system can benefit from failures that hurt its individual members, my pushback on Taleb’s views about technology, and the ethics of becoming stronger at someone else’s expense. Glad I read it, but would I recommend reading every page? CHAPTERS 00:00 Introducing Antifragile and Taleb 01:30 Why I picked it up 02:08 Structure, maths and optional chapters 03:23 Fragile vs robust vs antifragile 04:51 The limits of antifragility 06:25 The Hydra, aviation and individual sacrifice 08:58 Longevity and Taleb’s confrontational style 10:45 Where I push back on health and nature 12:00 The barbell strategy: can you apply it? 13:49 Convexity, concavity and practical usefulness 16:06 Via negativa: improvement through subtraction 17:04 The Lindy effect, technology and AI 18:34 Too long, too repetitive, too many attacks? 19:43 The ethics of shifting risk onto others 20:51 My verdict: should you read it? 21:40 What I’ll apply to my own life What’s one thing you could REMOVE from your life to make it better? Let me know in the comments. Subscribe to Mere Mortals Book Reviews for honest reflections on books, big ideas and their place in everyday life. Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFq Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

Can we slow AI development down while everyone is still trying to win the race? In this episode of Mere Mortals Book Reviews, I'm reviewing an article: “We Must Pace the Frontier” by Dario Amodei. I unpack the proposals for embedded evaluators, coordination between AI companies and international cooperation. Then I share where I'm supportive, where I'm sceptical, and why reading Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s Antifragile has me questioning the comparison between AI safety and aviation. We also explore recursive self-improvement, the tension between global cooperation and US–China competition, and whether today's AI capabilities already give us enough to work with. This is my personal reading and critique of the article. Read it yourself and tell me where you agree or disagree. READ THE ARTICLE https://darioamodei.com/post/we-must-pace-the-frontier CHAPTERS 00:00 An article review with big implications 00:32 The controversy behind the conversation 02:25 What does “pacing the frontier” mean? 03:36 Embedded evaluators: independent eyes inside AI labs 05:29 Antifragile, aviation and learning from failure 07:23 Recursive self-improvement and company coordination 09:18 Global cooperation meets US–China competition 11:32 Different levels of AI pacing 12:17 My verdict: slow down, pause or keep going? Should AI companies slow down, pause completely or keep pushing forward? What would change your mind? Subscribe to Mere Mortals Book Reviews for more reflections on books, articles and the ideas they leave us wrestling with. Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast  Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFq Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

I never watched Game of Thrones. Then I finally picked up George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones and I get it now. I went into the first book of A Song of Ice and Fire with almost no connection to the TV series. In fact, years ago I made it about four minutes into episode one before turning it off. The book was a very different story. It starts slowly enough, building the people, families, politics and world but somewhere around the first third it starts accelerating. By the final few hundred pages I was absolutely smashing through chapters just trying to find out what happened next. In this review I get into: Why George R. R. Martin's POV structure works so well How he manages to interweave so many characters and storylines Why the world somehow feels enormous while remaining grounded The comparison with The Lord of the Rings The brutality, darkness and unpredictability of the story Why the final third completely hooked me The slightly uncomfortable reality of starting an unfinished series Whether you should read the book if you've already watched the show My rating: 9/10. 00:00 I finally read A Game of Thrones 01:02 Going in without watching the TV series 03:09 The problem with starting an unfinished series 05:11 Bigger than The Lord of the Rings? 06:19 Why the POV structure works so well 08:15 When the book hits overdrive 10:47 The dialogue, brutality & darkness 11:51 Why the fantasy still feels grounded 13:46 My final thoughts 14:47 Should you read A Game of Thrones? Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFq Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

I read The Book of Elon by Eric Jorgenson, a collection of Elon Musk’s most useful ideas on purpose, engineering, business, hiring, intensity and problem-solving, presented largely through Musk’s own words. Rather than another Elon Musk biography, this book attempts to distil his operating system: how he thinks, why he works with such extreme intensity and which principles have shaped companies including Tesla and SpaceX. But does it offer anything genuinely new? 00:00 What is The Book of Elon? 00:28 How I received the book 01:03 This is not an Elon Musk biography 01:48 Three million words distilled 02:24 More than 1,000 source references 03:10 The 69 Core Musk Methods 03:35 How the book is designed 03:56 My background with Elon Musk 04:42 Why so much of it felt familiar 05:45 Is it useful as a reference book? 06:35 Why I probably wouldn’t reread it 07:19 Who should read this book? 07:55 Elon’s “ultra hardcore” philosophy 08:24 Success because of—or despite—his methods? 08:43 My biggest criticism of the book 09:49 The reader who may find it transformative 10:26 My final recommendation 10:58 Elon Musk’s recommended reading list 12:01 Final verdict Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFq Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

In this Mere Mortals book review, I talk through The Odyssey by Homer the famous follow-up companion to The Iliad, and one of the great adventure stories of the Western canon. Compared with The Iliad, I found The Odyssey much more readable, more story-driven, and honestly more enjoyable. This is the great soldier-returning-home story: Odysseus trying to make his way back to Ithaca after the Trojan War, while Telemachus searches for answers, Penelope holds off the suitors, and the gods keep interfering with everyone’s lives. 0:00 Intro — The Odyssey after The Iliad 0:54 The basic structure of The Odyssey 1:18 Odysseus, Ulysses and the journey home 2:03 Telemachus, Penelope and the suitors 2:43 Where Odysseus has been 3:09 Cyclops, monsters and the famous adventures 3:46 Returning to Ithaca 4:04 The original soldier-coming-home story 4:25 Why The Odyssey reads better than The Iliad 5:02 The book that kept me reading at night 6:00 Why this story has lasted 7:10 Iliad vs Odyssey: rage vs cunning 8:19 Major themes: home, temptation, storytelling and justice 10:03 The parts I skimmed 10:43 Should you read The Iliad first? 11:37 Final thoughts on The Odyssey 12:26 Final recommendation Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Substack: https://substack.com/@meremortalsnotes Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFq Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

Art is hairy, art is context, art is beauty and ..... art is big butts!? In this episode, I dive into 'Get the Picture' by Bianca Bosker, a 2024 book that explores the contemporary art world from the inside. Bosker approaches it through immersive journalism, working as a gallery assistant, art fair staffer, studio helper, museum guard and briefly as an artist herself. What I found most compelling was how the book uses those experiences to wrestle with the big questions: what counts as art, whether art is about beauty or context and how much of the industry is driven by genuine appreciation versus status, money and insider games. I talk through the parts of the book that felt especially grotesque to me — the pretension, the coded language, the collector ego, and the sense that access and reputation often matter more than the work itself. Thankfully, the book also shows a far more meaningful side of art. I discuss the sections that felt uplifting and enlightening, especially Bosker’s time with artists, collectors and museum guards who engage deeply with artworks and encourage slow, personal looking rather than outsourced interpretation. That side of the book helped me understand why art still matters and why people are drawn to it so powerfully. Overall, I came away feeling that the art world isn’t inherently broken so much as structurally lopsided, with highly passionate creators often vulnerable to exploitation. I really enjoyed Bosker’s writing, admired the depth of her reporting and would recommend to give it a read.  If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline:  (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:10) Bianca Bosker's immersive tour of the art world (00:04:45) The pretence, power and status games of art (00:08:51) Shock art and the question of what counts as art (00:13:07) A more meaningful and uplifting side of art (00:16:16) Is the art world inherently broken? (00:21:20) Bianca Bosker's journalism (00:25:02) Final Verdict (00:27:20) Short hiatus and podcast closing notes  Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFq Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

Abstract ideas made definite. In this episode of Mere Mortals book reviews, I dive into Peter Thiel’s 'Zero To One' and why its big-picture thinking resonates more than tactical business how‑to. I explore Thiel’s blend of abstract philosophy and concrete startup stories (from PayPal to Palantir) and discuss his contrarian takes on competition, monopoly and the value of being the last mover. I unpack the optimistic vs pessimistic, determinate vs indeterminate lens Thiel uses to read cultures and markets and why these frames can guide founders to build something truly unique rather than drift into “zombie company” territory. I share what made the book engaging for me, where it might fall short if you’re after nuts-and-bolts execution and who I think will get the most out of it. Ultimately, it’s a concise, idea-rich read that can reorient how you think about differentiation, market definition and creating from zero to one. If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:00:35) Introducing Zero to One by Peter Thiel (00:04:27) Contrasting with other business classics (00:07:41) Why high‑level ideas can beat operational minutiae (00:11:03) Who is Peter Thiel? Background and ventures (00:12:52) Verdict: a solid read for entrepreneurs (00:14:00) Value for Value: how to support the show (00:15:08) What’s next: upcoming book reviews  Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFq Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

I'm begging you PLEASE, I'll be your very best friend. In this episode I review Dale Carnegie’s classic 'How to Win Friends & Influence People' nearly a century on from its publication. I walk through the book’s structure: principles on handling people, making people like you, winning others to your way of thinking and leading without resentment. Timeless advice still shines (smile, remember names, be genuinely interested, listen well) but some parts feels dated (the slow course‑shilling intro and lack of psychological depth on becoming “genuinely” interested). I also dig into the tension at the heart of the book: wanting friends and influence while being told to act without obvious self‑interest. If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:52) Book structure overview: parts and principles (00:06:31) Key principles sampled: smile, names, listen, importance (00:11:17) Childhood lens on making friends and sorting people (00:13:41) Author background: Dale Carnegie’s path and motives (00:17:19) The hard part: becoming genuinely interested (00:20:34) Does it hold up? A dated yet durable self‑help classic (00:22:29) Wrap‑up, support links and what’s next  Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFq Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

Most people approach The Iliad expecting the Trojan Horse. Instead, they find something darker: a story about wounded pride, uncontrollable rage, brutal violence and the moment vengeance finally gives way to pity. In this review, I break down Samuel Butler’s translation of Homer’s epic, the feud between Achilles and Agamemnon, Hector’s terrifying presence, the petty interference of the gods, the oral tradition behind the poem, and whether a modern reader should actually tackle this ancient monster of a book. 00:00 — An Ancient Epic in My Hands 00:42 — The Samuel Butler Translation 01:03 — Did Homer Actually Write The Iliad? 02:23 — What Is an Epic Poem? 03:05 — This Is Not the Trojan Horse Story 03:40 — Achilles, Hector and the Gods 04:53 — How This Edition Structures the Story 06:15 — The Core of The Iliad: Rage 07:33 — Achilles Loses Everything 08:19 — The Gods Are Petty as Hell 09:49 — Violence, Nature and Ancient Imagery 11:41 — The Sections I Fast-Read 13:19 — The Power of Oral Storytelling 15:00 — The Brutality of Battle 15:43 — Hector Smashes Through the Gates 17:29 — No Simple Villains, Only Human Beings 18:13 — Honour, Glory and the Heroic Code 19:03 — Should You Read The Iliad? 19:22 — The Odyssey Review Is Coming Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFq Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast