Review: Stealing Fire: How Silicon Valley, the Navy SEALs, and Maverick Scientists Are Revolutionizing the Way We Live and Work

Stealing Fire: How Silicon Valley, the Navy SEALs, and Maverick Scientists Are Revolutionizing the Way We Live and Work by Steven Kotler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you read this book, prepare to be provoked. It delves into many taboo topics, like microdosing LSD, and engaging in super risky behaviors. It doesn't promote these things but it does promote the pursuit of the flow state that these things produce (think: all systems in blissful sync). The authors call this state ecstasis. I really enjoyed the content, both the historical context and the futuristic posturing. The simple idea that we are limited by three things - geography, religion and the state - was somewhat arresting. I have a list of things to research and I will most certainly look for another book to read which addresses this same topic, so it planted a few seeds - something I consider the hallmark of a good read. Riveting though it was, I do believe the authors are too caught up in technologistics. There are many people who are content and who like the unhacked version of themselves - not all of the achievers in the world want to "steal fire". Or do they? See.....I just have to get another book on this topic!

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