What happens inside the head when you learn a 2nd language?

'The Bilingual Brain' by Albert Costa is a quick summary of academic research on bilingual vs monolingual speakers. He looks at effects that knowing a 2nd language can have on the physical wiring as well as behavioural differences. So things like response times, vocab limits, gray matter density, etc. In the 5 chapters he goes over studies and you'll see some graphs & brain cross sections.

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Timeline:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:02:12) Themes/Questions
(00:20:56) Author & Extras
(00:23:10) Summary
(00:25:51) Value 4 Value
(00:27:14) Join Live!

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In this episode, we delve into key insights from Robert Greene's The 48 Laws of Power, highlighting powerful lessons on navigating relationships, mastering influence, and understanding human psychology. From the importance of knowing the rules—even if you choose not to follow them—to mastering strategic silence and spotting concealed intentions, these learnings reveal profound truths about influence, communication, and power dynamics.

(00:00) - Introduction to the 48 Laws of Power
(01:08) - Know the Game: Be an Artist, Not a Bungler
(02:31) - Law 1: Avoid Outshining the Master
(04:17) - Law 3: Conceal Your True Intentions
(06:08) - Law 4: Say Less Than Necessary
(08:09) - Law 5: Master One Quality, Not Many
(10:01) - Law 9: Actions Speak Louder Than Arguments
(10:22) - Law 11: Make Yourself Indispensable
(12:13) - Law 13: See Beyond Your Own Wants
(14:07) - Law 14: Extract Secrets through Connection
(15:16) - Law 15 vs Law 2: Crush vs Use Your Enemies
(15:58) - Law 16: Use Absence Strategically
(17:41) - Law 18: Isolation is Dangerous
(18:50) - Law 22: Pride Can Be Your Downfall
(20:07) - Concentrate Your Forces for Impact
(20:48) - Stay Focused Amid Modern Distractions
(21:30) - Adapt Style, Maintain Respect
(22:06) - Law 12: Avoid Delivering Bad News Yourself
(22:40) - Law 28: Act with Boldness, Not Hesitation
(23:00) - Law 31: Control Choices to Influence Decisions
(24:27) - Law 34: Never Lose Self-Respect
(24:54) - Law 35: Mastering Perfect Timing
(26:15) - Beware Ego’s Deadly Power
(27:16) - Envy: The Hidden Emotion
(28:07) - Law 48: Flexibility is the Ultimate Power

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Isn't it common sense to go wild & fight!!!

'Common Sense' by Thomas Paine is a small pamphlet distributed just before the start of the American Revolution. In it he makes arguments for why they should break away from English governance to become their own independent country and not a colony. These focus on religious views of kings, the illegitimacy of hereditary rule & why England does not have America's best interests at heart.

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(00:02:23) Themes/Questions
(00:13:02) Author & Extras
(00:19:51) Summary
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(00:23:53) Join Live!

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Power is an elusive force, but Robert Greene distills it into 48 strategic laws that have stood the test of time. In this review, I break down the core themes, structure, and key takeaways from The 48 Laws of Power—a book that is equally revered and feared.

This isn't just another self-help book; it's a deep dive into historical power dynamics, manipulation, and strategy. From Machiavelli to Napoleon, Greene extracts lessons from history’s most cunning figures. But is this a manual for domination or a cautionary tale? And should you read it?

00:00 - Introduction 
00:45 - Book Overview 
03:15 - Structure & Writing Style 
06:40 - Controversial Aspects 
10:20 - Key Lessons & Takeaways 
14:00 - Should You Read This? 
16:30 - Final Thoughts & Rating 
17:00 - Call to Action (Subscribe, Support, Comment) 

⚡ Key Takeaways:

The book's unique structure, including its historical parables and red-highlighted maxims

The balance between strategy and ethics—how some laws feel Machiavellian while others are practical life lessons

How The 48 Laws of Power can be used as a tool for self-awareness rather than manipulation

Similar reads: The Prince by Machiavelli, The Art of War by Sun Tzu, How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

If you've read this book, let me know your thoughts in the comments. Do you think it’s a dangerous text or an essential one?



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Out of interest, what price do you put on your time?

'The Price Of Time' by Edward Chancellor is a look at interest rates across history and what effects they have had on human behaviour & therefore economic activity. His central argument is that the current rates of interest seen in modern times are too low and have led to distorted & unproductive outcomes. It consists of 3 parts split into 18 chapters with a small series of charts and photographic plates. 

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(00:01:52) Themes/Questions
(00:18:52) Author & Extras
(00:23:20) Summary
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(00:28:18) Join Live!

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Everybody is out for money ... politicians just want yours as well.

'The Gilded Age' by Mark Twain & Charles Dudley Warner is a fictional tale of the money, speculation & intrigue of American politics. It has two main branches of the story that intersect. The first is about a cast of small town people who seek out the riches of Washington (Laura, Washington & Col. Eschol Sellers). The second is of two well off young gentlemen who initially seek their fortune in the country before returning to the real action in DC (Harry & Philip). It showcases the influence that politicians have and how they abuse it for their own profit.

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(00:03:19) Themes/Questions
(00:28:42) Author & Extras
(00:33:09) Summary
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(00:38:18) Join Live!

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Unjustified negativity has funny ways of rebounding right back at you.

'The Lucky Country' by Donald Horne is a a subjective snapshot of Australian life in the 1960's. Donald creates a depiction of the average person, our way of life, relation to other countries (especially Asia) and the political landscape. He is rather scathing when taken as a whole but seems relatively balanced when talking about minutiae topics.

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(00:19:01) Author & Extras
(00:22:46) Summary
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Surprisingly, if you appeal to tired & worn out people it might just reflect in your own work.

'Blue Ocean Strategy' by W. Chan Kim & Renée Mauborgne is a business strategy book promoting the idea of moving away from a contested core business to less competitive greener pastures. Highlights several companies that have done this and why they were successful. Plenty of graphs, charts & lists contained within 11 chapters & 3 appendices.

Huge thanks to Lyceum for the support this week, much appreciated!

Timeline:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:02:26) Themes/Questions
(00:12:38) Author & Extras
(00:20:41) Summary
(00:22:57) Value 4 Value
(00:25:33) Join Live!

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To save the world you must be first willing to burn it.

'The Man Who Was Thursday' by G.K. Chesterton is a short fictional novel of a policeman who joins a 7 person high ranking cabal of anarchists to stop their evil ideology. He begins to learn that their are allies amongst the enemies & enlists their help to take down the behemoth ringleader Sunday. It's set in 1900's England and has a rather bizarre 'absurdist' style but with a levity you wouldn't find in other similar books.

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(00:14:51) Author & Extras
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How much meaning is lost when you are reading a translation?

Today is a special episode where I am going over my findings from reading 'O Alquimista' in the original Portuguese and it's English translation side by side. I found that although the grammar prompt some differences the biggest effect was stylistic choices by the translator. This includes minor things like cutting out words/sentences to larger alterations such as removing potentially 'racist' remarks.

Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :)

The Alchemist Book Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5o40-BJkfLE

Tao Te Ching Book Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thoq-1gwZLo

Timeline:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:02:01) Direct Observations
(00:17:31) Indirect Observations
(00:27:34) Summary
(00:30:17) Value 4 Value
(00:31:55) Join Live!

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