The Art of Manliness

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#412: The Power of Conspiracy and Secrets

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Jun 7, 2018

Guest

Ryan Holiday

Ryan Holiday, an acclaimed author known for works like The Obstacle Is the Way and The Daily Stoic, dives into the explosive saga of Hulk Hogan's lawsuit against Gawker, spearheaded by billionaire Peter Thiel. He unveils the profound lessons on revenge, privacy, and the shrewd power of secrecy in personal conflicts. Holiday also explores the contrast between stoicism and the desire for vengeance, and discusses how high agency individuals exploit their resilience to thrive, urging listeners to embrace discretion as a strategic advantage.

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insights

INSIGHT

High-Agency Mindset Defined

'High agency' people do not accept 'no' and seek alternative ways to achieve goals.
Thiel exemplified this by rejecting defeat and pursuing a long-term plan to challenge Gawker.

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ADVICE

Reject Status Quo Limits

Build confidence by repeatedly challenging the idea that the status quo cannot be changed.
Seek opportunities others ignore or believe are impossible for strategic advantage.

insights

INSIGHT

Competition Is For Losers

Competing in crowded fields is costly; better to find uncontested spaces to excel.
Thiel values flying under the radar to avoid competition and maximize impact.

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The Gawker Saga: Billionaires and Legal Battles

03:09 • 15min

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Embracing High Agency

18:30 • 6min

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The Covert Strength of Conspiracy Over Competition

24:15 • 3min

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Revenge vs. Stoicism: A Moral Dilemma

27:22 • 7min

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The Power of Secrecy in Success

34:13 • 7min

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Aftermath of Conflict and Recovery

40:53 • 11min

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Concluding Thoughts on Conspiracy and Resources for Further Exploration

51:45 • 2min

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#63

• Mentioned in 238 episodes

Ego is the Enemy

Ryan Holiday

In *Ego Is the Enemy*, Ryan Holiday delves into the concept of ego and its detrimental effects on personal and professional success. The book is divided into three sections: Aspiration, Success, and Failure, each offering valuable lessons and perspectives. Holiday draws on a vast array of stories and examples from literature, philosophy, and history, featuring figures such as George Marshall, Jackie Robinson, Katharine Graham, Bill Belichick, and Eleanor Roosevelt. These individuals achieved great success by conquering their own egos, and their strategies and tactics are presented as models for readers. The book emphasizes the importance of staying grounded, continually learning, and embracing a mindset of growth rather than letting ego hinder development.

#12

• Mentioned in 454 episodes

The obstacle is the way

Ryan Holiday

In 'The Obstacle Is the Way', Ryan Holiday presents a framework for turning obstacles into successes. Drawing from the philosophy of Stoicism and the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Holiday outlines three disciplines: perception, action, and will. He illustrates these principles with historical anecdotes from figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Ulysses S. Grant, and Steve Jobs. The book emphasizes the importance of perception in shaping one's response to obstacles, the need for intentional and creative action, and the cultivation of will to persist through challenges. Holiday argues that by adopting these Stoic principles, individuals can transform their obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.

#26

• Mentioned in 340 episodes

The Daily Stoic

366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living

Ryan Holiday

Stephen Hanselman

This book provides 366 meditations on Stoic wisdom, featuring new translations of passages from Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and other Stoic philosophers. Each day, readers are presented with a Stoic lesson explained in modern language, along with advice on how to apply these lessons in everyday life. The book is organized temporally and thematically across the twelve months of the year, making it a daily resource for practicing Stoicism.

#1952

• Mentioned in 23 episodes

Growth Hacker Marketing

Ryan Holiday

In this book, Ryan Holiday explains how the marketing landscape has changed and introduces the concept of growth hacking. He argues that traditional marketing methods are no longer effective and presents a new approach that emphasizes achieving product-market fit, targeting specific groups, and creating viral growth through scalable and trackable methods. The book includes case studies from companies like Dropbox, Instagram, and Airbnb, highlighting how these businesses achieved massive growth without traditional marketing. Holiday stresses the importance of continuous product optimization and user feedback to drive exponential growth.

#28

• Mentioned in 336 episodes

Zero to One

Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future

Peter Thiel

In 'Zero to One,' Peter Thiel argues that true innovation comes from creating something entirely new, going from 'zero to one,' rather than incrementally improving existing ideas. He emphasizes the importance of vertical progress through technology and the benefits of monopoly in driving innovation. Thiel also discusses the need for long-term planning, the importance of finding the right co-founders, and the power law in startup success. The book challenges conventional wisdom and encourages readers to think critically and aim big to build the future.

Back in 2016, a bizarre story emerged in pop culture. Professional wrestler Hulk Hogan won a $115 million dollar lawsuit against the gossip website Gawker for publishing a sex tape that had been made without his consent. The victory was somewhat surprising but the real surprise was who was actually behind the lawsuit; it wasn't Hogan himself, but the billionaire founder of PayPal, Peter Thiel.

Thiel had his own axe to grind against Gawker, and he had been honing it since 2007. He had been plotting to take down Gawker for almost a decade.

What may sound like a tawdry story of celebrity and scandal, actually contains surprisingly potent lessons on revenge, Stoicism, strategy, perseverance, hubris, privacy, and the underrated power of secrets.

My guest today dug into this story and its insights in his new book, Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue. His name is Ryan Holiday, and he's also the author of Growth Hacker Marketing, The Obstacle Is the Way, Ego Is the Enemy, andThe Daily Stoic. Today on the show Ryan and I discuss his latest book, and the lessons we can take from a story that reads much like a modern-day Count of Monte Cristo.

Get the full show notes at aom.is/conspiracy.

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