Inspiration
I have found, over the years, that certain ideas have had an enormous impact on my thinking, and consequently my life. Usually these ideas have been delivered via books – but it can also happen via other media, like a movie or TV series.
Certain ideas have the power to move the world forward in some way. The trouble is finding them amongst the enormous amount of information that is available to us.
What follows are some of the truly inspirational and life-changing ideas I have come across over the last 28 years – ideas that have the power to change your thinking. And if enough people were to be exposed to them, the power to change the world.
I’m sure you have your own list of inspirational sources. But if you find something on my list that you have not noticed or heard of before, then I urge you to take a closer look, as it may do for you what it has done for me.
In order to keep this list short I have concentrated it around ideas that promote freedom and human progress – two things that are very dear to my own heart. And I’ve included links so you may explore further.
Science Reborn
For a sense of a benevolent universe, the capacity of humans to achieve great things, and a reminder of the bigger picture, I thoroughly recommend the DVD of the 1980 TV series Cosmos, by the great astronomer and scientist Carl Sagan. It had updates added in 1990 and was re-mastered in 2000. Covering a vast range of topics in 13 one hour episodes, Cosmos should be in everyone’s home. If you’ve ever been daunted by science or put off by poor teaching of it at school, then you will find this a liberating experience. One of the great values of this series is to present science and the scientific method as it really is – an wonderful adventure and exploration, and the means of achieving all human progress. I have found a very affordable EU-created version of this, on 5 DVDs in a compact package from Amazon UK.
Freedom Defined
Everybody apparently wants freedom. But nobody can fully agree as to what it is – or we’d have it already. Back in 2000 I read a massive volume entitled Sic Itur Ad Astra, by astrophysicist Andrew J Galambos. The title (in Latin) means “This is the way to the stars” – and in its pages is an entirely new and revolutionary definition of, and means of achieving, freedom. In fact ,it could be said that Galambos created a science of freedom – revealing that freedom can never be obtained via politics, but only via technology and the free market. Sadly, the book is not readily available any more. But recently an audio series of his ideas, as originally delivered in the 60s by one of his group – Jay Snelson – has been rediscovered and made available as the V-50 Discoveries. This audio set is available on 6 mp3 CDs packaged in a handsome box with an illustrated booklet. If you like to have your head opened up, the ideas in your brain rearranged, and concepts revealed that can literally change the course of your life – then you should head over to the V-50 Website and learn more.
A New Morality
Back in 1982 I read a book that rocked my world. It called into question the cultural assumptions I had been brought up to believe in, and literally caused an anxiety attack as I was confronted by an apparently alien philosophy! Within its pages are ideas that will challenge you at every turn – and which present a new morality of individualism. This novel is like no other story you have ever read. You will either hate it, love it, or simply not understand it. But if you’re reading this page, then there’s a very good chance you’ll love it. I’m talking about Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. It’s the story of a man, an engineer, who stops the world by persuading all the productive people to go on strike, to simply disappear. As a novel it’s a fast-paced mystery. But at a deeper level it’s a fundamental challenge to the way the world currently works, and a revelation as to how it should work. You can get this book on Amazon.
The Key to Freedom
As someone who spent more than 20 years of my life believing political action was the way to change things, it was a shock to read a book that undermined my basic premises. I had always thought that to bring about any change I had to become politically active. You know, to get down and dirty with the political process and attempt to bring change to society via the democratic process – by political action and voting. Well, this book disabused me of that notion once and for all. I’m talking about How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World, by Harry Browne. This book reveals two stark alternatives to getting what you want in life. One is via indirect action – like trying to vote in change. The other is via direct action, where you take matters into your own hands to affect immediate change. A good illustration of this premise is education. If you were concerned about the quality of your child’s education you have two choices: you can lobby for improved education via the political process – pinning your hopes on politicians taking notice of you. Browne calls that indirect action. Or you can simply take your child out of school and find a better alternative – either a better school, or even teach your children yourself. This is direct action. If you’ve ever been frustrated as to why you cannot achieve what you want in life – then this book will shake up your world view, and present an alternative way you can look at life and achieve your goals. Also available from Amazon.
