Book Review: The Man In The White Suit, Ben Collins

Ben Collins - The Man In The White Suit

I've been following BBC's Top Gear for some time, and if you are a fan, you will definitely know the recent saga about The Stig coming out and writing an autobiography.  Of course, BBC made a big deal out of this, and it went to the courts and the judge ruled in The Stig's favor.  (Long story, but lots of coverage on different perspectives all over the internet.)


So Ben Collins wrote the book claiming to be The Stig.  The book is quite informative, tracing his childhood memories about his father, teenage racing down at the tracks, team rivalry, plenty of action in the race car and his experiences in the racing world.  A valuable insight into the world of racing and talent management.


We all know the White Stig (after the "death" of the Black Stig) and his antics in Top Gear, but this book is a behind the scenes look at Top Gear from the visor of The Stig.  I would say that this book is a glowing testimony to the men behind the scenes at Top Gear.  If you are a follower of Top Gear, most of what he writes is already old news, but from a slightly different perspective.


He also writes a lot about his experience in the SAS, and it makes a good read if nothing else.


Overall, this book is about Ben Collins's struggle in the world of car racing; being The Stig is just the cherry on top.  An interesting read, if you go with it with an open mind; not so good, if you are just interested in The Stig.


Jeremy

Book Review: Barry Schwartz, The Paradox of Choice

In this book by Barry Schwartz, he mentions how choice is good, but when it comes to unlimited or overwhelming choices; more is less.  Choice can actually paralyze and reduce our happiness when we cannot handle them.

This book is written in a very American context, however it is not a strange scenario to developed countries.  In fact, I would recommend this book to every Singaporean.  We have been growing up in a sea of choices, forks in the roads everywhere.  However, these choices have not been making us happier.  If you have ever found joy in doing the simple things, and found peace where there is no brain wrecking decisions to make,  this book is for you.

A persistent theme in the book is the differences in Maximizers and Satisfiers. Maximizers want the best, comparing constantly with others, trying to run the rat race to win, looking back frequently to see if their decisions were well made.  Satisfiers are looking for the "good enough", they settle for what suits them well, looking forward, not looking back to criticize their decisions.

Satisfiers are typically happier as they compare less, and perhaps they "know what they want".  Maximizers have the need to want the best, and "the best" is constantly changing, they want to get the most out of things, and it is often overwhelming.

However, no one is a complete Satisfier or Maximizer.  A guy may be a Maximizer when purchasing a new car, but a Satisfier when choosing a new shirt.  He may be comparing cars, scouring the internet for reviews, test driving all the models, only to moan and groan 1 week after purchasing that new car, because PERHAPS that other car is better.

The more our choices, the higher our expectations.  The higher our expectations, the greater the chance for disappointment.

Finally, although this is a great book, I must warn that its a fairly tough book to completely comprehend.  Plenty of meta-cognition processes and introspection is required.  Definitely not a relaxing read.

Highly recommended.

Jeremy

Barry Schwartz on the Paradox of Choice: TED.com

I suggest you stop what you are doing, and take 20mins to watch this video.  It will be worth the 20mins.  If you still can't spare the 20mins, just sleep less tonight.

Some of the key points which I found insightful:
1)  Choice paralyses; because we can't decide, so we put it off until it never gets done.
2)  Choice raises expectations; because we expect MORE from all these choices.
3)  Choice sets us up for regrets; "Maybe it would have been better if I chose..."
4)  Choice makes us depressed;  high expectations, regrets and not being able to decide.


I'm not saying that we should all become a 3rd-world Communist State, I do not believe that thats what Barry is saying either.  "The problem is that they have so little."


More is less.


(Video from TED.com)


Jeremy

Sunshine and Clouds

(This is the first post by Jim, our new contributor to Terroir Arts.  In time, we hope to have more contributors to bring forth greater diversity and perspectives to this site.)

Just like the weather lately, it could rain every morning for a few days continuously and then followed by searing heat for a day or two, like the many ups and downs in our lives for the past ten months of 2010.

We can count our blessings by listing all of them down and then realize that its not all that bad even with the occasional depressing news when you turn the pages of the newspaper.  Or are we still hung up on the things that did not go our way throughout the year, wondering and hoping how things could have been better had we given more thought and having the foresight or wisdom at the right time and place.

Life is never always perfect as we so desire nor can we expect sunshine to light up our way and warm our souls every step of the way. It is this unpredictability and volatility in our daily living that differentiates us from the other species known as animals as they do not plan, reflect or regret. At least that is what we think.

For a start, we could list down the things we are happy about this ten months and also another list which gave us lots of negative vibes.  When that is done, tick off the two most impactful issues that matter alot to you and it really does not look that bad after all.  

Robert Louis Stevenson, author of the classic Treasure Island, had a 12-point creed on happiness.

1) Make up your mind to be happy. Learn to find pleasure in simple things.

2) Make the best of your circumstances. No one has everything and everyone has something of sorrow intermingled with the gladness of life. Try to make laughter outweigh the tears.

3) Don’t take yourself too seriously. Don’t think that somehow you should be protected from misfortunes that befall others.

4) You can’t please everybody. Don’t let criticism worry you.

5) Don’t let your neighbours set your standards. Be yourself.

6) Do the things you enjoy, but stay out of debt.

7) Don’t borrow trouble. Imaginary burdens are harder to bear than real ones.

8) Hate poisons the soul, do not cherish grudges or enmities. Avoid people who make you unhappy.

9) Have many interests.  If you can’t travel, read about new places.

10) Don’t spend your life brooding over sorrows and mistakes.  Don’t be one who never gets over things.

11) Do what you can for those less fortunate than yourself.

12) Keep busy at something.  A busy person never has enough time to be unhappy.


Jim