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Why I Don’t Have Free Will (and Neither Do You)

You are free to make choices, but you have no freedom in the matter.

Sam Harris presents this idea in his 2012 book, Free Will. Harris argues that we’re all products of our genes, our luck, and our experiences.

Free Will is an Illusion.

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The Secret: Thoughts Become Things

“The Secret” is a documentary and book from 2006. The central premise is “The Law of Attraction,” which attracts what you think about the most.

“Thoughts Become Things.” –Mike Dooley, dude from this movie

Most people focus on their problems and the negatives in their lives. Whatever we think about becomes manifest. Whatever we focus on, the Law of Attraction will provide. It’s to our benefit to think positive thoughts.

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Trump’s 1980s Deals:
Wrapping up “The Art of the Deal”

We’ve covered the main points in Trump’s The Art of the Deal over the last few months here on Persuasion Reading List. Among Trump’s more illustrated points for deal making and persuasion:

  • Always keep your options open
  • Cover your downside and improve it the best you can
  • Ask a lot of questions
  • Don’t rush a deal, but don’t delay the signing of final paperwork

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Our future is Technical. Your future is Human.

You can shop for clothes on the British version of Amazon, the clothes are made in Bangladesh, and they’re shipped to your vacation hotel in Peru.

Sounds like a nice vacation!

It’s no secret that our economy is now global. International markets cross borders to supply the demands of humanity.

In the 1800s, the Industrial Revolution changed the workforce in the United States and around the world. Machines that could do the work of 10 people were invented, and then 100 people.

Hardware, slow and lumbering, ate the jobs of the 1800s.

In response to these labor-saving devices, US Americans increasingly became knowledge workers or geographic movers. We push pencils, we pull freight, we move people.

These jobs of the 1900s are quickly disappearing.

Within the coming decade, by 2025, a majority of the 3.5 million trucking jobs may well be automated. 180,000 taxi jobs are at risk. Even more Uber drivers. Retail jobs. Sales clerks. Fast-food restaurant employees. Warehouse pickers.

Many of the traditional jobs of the 1900s are being replaced by robots.

Robots don’t get tired, robots don’t negotiate as a union.

But back then, robots didn’t think.

Now, in the year 2017, we have software. Artificial Intelligence, AI. Software, cheap and infinity reproducible, is eating the jobs of the 2000s. Software that builds computer networks. Software that programs machines of all types. Software that writes software. Coders are eating their own.

The next economic shift is terrifying because we don’t know what the jobs of tomorrow will look like.

What we do know, however, is that there will always be people (until the world melts or freezes or something).

People want direction, people crave excitement, people follow charisma.

Motivating people will always be in demand.

The best way you can prepare for tomorrow is by learning how to work with people, how to influence their attitudes and direct their behaviour. These are known as ‘soft skills’ — and Persuasion Reading List is working to uncover these skills with you.

What do you see in the future?

Will your job be eaten by software automation?

Are you preparing yourself with soft skills?

Leave a comment below!