Book - Same as ever - Morgan Housel

"Same as Ever" by Morgan Housel is a book that delves deep into the history of human behaviour to reveal the unchanging drivers of our actions, such as greed, fear, and opportunity, which have remained remarkably consistent over time. The book argues that technology and landscapes might change over the years, but human nature will always remain strikingly familiar.

Whether it's 500 years in the past or the future, the core motivators of human behaviour are still the same. Greed still fuels ambition, fear still clouds judgment, and tribalism still shapes our identities. This counterintuitive approach of focusing on what doesn't change holds immense power as it provides valuable foresight into how humanity reacts to constant motivators.

While predicting the next technological marvel may be difficult, understanding how people react to constant motivators is much easier. The book encourages readers to ask not "what will change?" but "what won't?" and to look to history for answers. From freak occurrences influencing empires to hidden threads holding our world together, the book exposes the fragility of our seemingly stable present.

The words of Charles Darwin on adaptability resonate in this context. In the wild, survival depends on adaptability, not forecasts. Animals don't predict the future; they prepare themselves for it – they grow thick fur for winter and develop sharp senses to detect danger and agility to outrun predators. Similarly, we also face an unpredictable world, not of fangs and claws, but of unforeseeable changes and hidden challenges. Therefore, we should abandon the idea of forecasting the future and embrace the Darwinian truth: prepare yourself instead. Instead of trying to guess what's coming next, we should focus on building mental agility, enhancing critical thinking, and cultivating a healthy dose of scepticism. This is not about anticipating unlikely events but rather about developing the resilience to weather them. Preparedness is your strategic advantage, which equips you to navigate the unknown with the adaptability of a seasoned survivor. So, let's forget about predictions and focus on acquiring the tools that will help us build resilience – the key to thriving in a world where change is the only constant.

The book is a thought-provoking exploration of the past, offering powerful insights to navigate the ever-changing future. It emphasizes the need to focus on unchanging human nature rather than fleeting trends, recognize how history's threads weave into our present, embrace the inherent uncertainty of the future, and prepare for the unimaginable – the true source of risk.

If you seek wisdom beyond fleeting headlines and are interested in understanding what drives the future rather than simply predicting it, then "Same as Ever" is the perfect book for you.

Please share your thoughts on whether you prefer predicting the future or understanding what drives it in the comments below!