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Meandering Sobriety
Thinking is a fundamental activity of our species – those that give names to other creatures and call themselves humans. Textbooks tell us that there is about 1.2 kg of matter called the brain inside the human body. It sounds small but actually is proportionally the biggest among all animals on Earth.
I became more aware of thinking at around 5th grade upon hearing about an ancient paradox. It can be summarized as follows.
¤
Once upon a time, there was a stupid king. In his kingdom lived a sage who was highly respected for his intelligence. The King did not appreciate this fact. Maybe the Sage made fun of the King’s intellect, but I am not so sure. Anyway, one day, the King summoned the Sage, intending to kill him.
The King said, “Wise man, I heard you earn a living by thinking and arguing. Now I give you two options to die.”
The Sage said, “Please tell me the choices, Your Majesty.”
The King continued, “You live by your tongue, so I will let you say one sentence before you die. If what you say is true, you will die by hanging. If what you say is false, you will die by beheading.”
Little did the King know that this was a stupid order. After a short while, the Sage confidently spoke his “last words”, which actually were what saved his
“Your Majesty, I am about to be beheaded!”
¤
As a “wild animal” going out into life from a young age, my brain spent a lot of time and energy looking for food. Now that I have become older, my body no longer needs so much sustenance. However, my mind craves a different type of food for thought.
Food for thought can directly lead to food (on the table). My main job as a scientist exemplifies what I have just stated. Maybe we were wrong. Maybe it has been “thought for food” all along, like in such a sequence as TFFTTTFTFFTTFFFT...
In the hyper-chaotic infosphere today, we are surrounded by the noises of information, not only as wavy shores or waterfalls but also mega-tsunamis, through Twitter, Facebook, Tiktok, Instagram, Youtube, etc. More than ever, tranquility and calmness are necessary. Like what you have seen in wilderness video clips, predators such as lions, bears, and alligators act lightning-fast when catching prey. But when food is served, the natural world returns to its peaceful, soothing silence.
This short book is in its own tidy infosphere, where each little story is also brief and self-contained. Despite this small appearance, I hope the content inside carries the value of tranquility and life observation. The book is petite, but pretty sure not malnourished. A not-too-small detail is that the way the content was shaped and distilled reflects some innovations of mine and my research the mindsponge theory, a new theory of serendipity, the bayesvl R package, the BMF analytics, as well as other experiences from working in the field of science. After all, scientific works were my main source of food (before this book sells well – if it does).
Much of the content, seemingly fragmented, has reflected our lab’s essential cultural values, which have led to mindsponge theory, BMF analytics and related works. Thus, under the analytical paradigm of these closely-connected concepts, the pieces come together as bits and pieces of one whole thing. I think it is a bit unfair to tell about things in a house without mentioning the house itself.
Welcome to the priceless sober moments – with a chicken-burger price tag!
I hope this book will bring readers some moments of calmness, peaceful smiles, and maybe a couple of good laughs too.
I became more aware of thinking at around 5th grade upon hearing about an ancient paradox. It can be summarized as follows.
¤
Once upon a time, there was a stupid king. In his kingdom lived a sage who was highly respected for his intelligence. The King did not appreciate this fact. Maybe the Sage made fun of the King’s intellect, but I am not so sure. Anyway, one day, the King summoned the Sage, intending to kill him.
The King said, “Wise man, I heard you earn a living by thinking and arguing. Now I give you two options to die.”
The Sage said, “Please tell me the choices, Your Majesty.”
The King continued, “You live by your tongue, so I will let you say one sentence before you die. If what you say is true, you will die by hanging. If what you say is false, you will die by beheading.”
Little did the King know that this was a stupid order. After a short while, the Sage confidently spoke his “last words”, which actually were what saved his
“Your Majesty, I am about to be beheaded!”
¤
As a “wild animal” going out into life from a young age, my brain spent a lot of time and energy looking for food. Now that I have become older, my body no longer needs so much sustenance. However, my mind craves a different type of food for thought.
Food for thought can directly lead to food (on the table). My main job as a scientist exemplifies what I have just stated. Maybe we were wrong. Maybe it has been “thought for food” all along, like in such a sequence as TFFTTTFTFFTTFFFT...
In the hyper-chaotic infosphere today, we are surrounded by the noises of information, not only as wavy shores or waterfalls but also mega-tsunamis, through Twitter, Facebook, Tiktok, Instagram, Youtube, etc. More than ever, tranquility and calmness are necessary. Like what you have seen in wilderness video clips, predators such as lions, bears, and alligators act lightning-fast when catching prey. But when food is served, the natural world returns to its peaceful, soothing silence.
This short book is in its own tidy infosphere, where each little story is also brief and self-contained. Despite this small appearance, I hope the content inside carries the value of tranquility and life observation. The book is petite, but pretty sure not malnourished. A not-too-small detail is that the way the content was shaped and distilled reflects some innovations of mine and my research the mindsponge theory, a new theory of serendipity, the bayesvl R package, the BMF analytics, as well as other experiences from working in the field of science. After all, scientific works were my main source of food (before this book sells well – if it does).
Much of the content, seemingly fragmented, has reflected our lab’s essential cultural values, which have led to mindsponge theory, BMF analytics and related works. Thus, under the analytical paradigm of these closely-connected concepts, the pieces come together as bits and pieces of one whole thing. I think it is a bit unfair to tell about things in a house without mentioning the house itself.
Welcome to the priceless sober moments – with a chicken-burger price tag!
I hope this book will bring readers some moments of calmness, peaceful smiles, and maybe a couple of good laughs too.
159 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 18, 2023
5 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 18, 2023
The jokes are more than clever, they seem to have their own history.
But while the stories may trigger some deeper thoughts, they are on their own very light on the mind, like treating yourself to a few ice cream cones and see which suit your taste the best. They are all nice, but some just find its way to get stuck in your brain for a longer while.
Don't have much time to read but still crave for that classical mental stimulation from books? Then this book is for you.
But while the stories may trigger some deeper thoughts, they are on their own very light on the mind, like treating yourself to a few ice cream cones and see which suit your taste the best. They are all nice, but some just find its way to get stuck in your brain for a longer while.
Don't have much time to read but still crave for that classical mental stimulation from books? Then this book is for you.
April 26, 2023
In our fast-paced world, it is common to feel overwhelmed by the chaos of the outside world and yearn for moments of sobriety. “Meandering Sobriety” by Quan-Hoang Vuong (Phenikaa University and NAFOSTED Scientific Committee) can provide readers with those moments through a collection of humorous and thought-provoking short stories. Despite the scientific foundation of the book, it is not about sophisticated philosophical arguments or difficult-to-understand scientific findings. Instead, it provides a refreshing and enriching reading experience, giving us moments of laughter, reflection, and much-needed peace. The stories also help us escape from the noisy and chaotic world, allowing readers to reconnect with their inner selves.
January 28, 2025
Read this if you enjoy philosophy and learning new things
I liked this book for how it made me think deeply about everyday life and the world around me. It uses humor and personal stories to talk about creativity, problem-solving, and our relationship with nature. Each essay felt like a little journey, and I made me think of the things I often take for granted. The writing is engaging and kept me hooked the whole time. Some chapters were a bit dense, but overall, it’s a fantastic read for anyone who enjoys philosophy and learning new things!
I liked this book for how it made me think deeply about everyday life and the world around me. It uses humor and personal stories to talk about creativity, problem-solving, and our relationship with nature. Each essay felt like a little journey, and I made me think of the things I often take for granted. The writing is engaging and kept me hooked the whole time. Some chapters were a bit dense, but overall, it’s a fantastic read for anyone who enjoys philosophy and learning new things!
April 19, 2023
Meandering Sobriety is a collection of humorous and thought-provoking short tales that will provide a break from your busy life. This book will also help you find your way if you're feeling lost in the noise of the outer world yet need to find peace and quiet at the same time. Each tale has its own background and flavor, providing rare yet sobering moments. It is truly a gift with a chicken-burger price tag!
April 20, 2023
The author uses entertaining anecdotes, including a retelling of an ancient paradox, to illustrate their points, and also discusses the value of tranquility in the midst of the chaotic information age. Despite its petite size, the book is not malnourished, as it reflects the author's own innovations and experiences as a scientist. I believe that this book will provide readers with moments of calmness, peaceful smiles, and even a few good laughs.
Want to read
April 26, 2023Meandering Sobriety gives us a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It is a compilation of hilarious and thought-provoking short stories that can help you discover peace and calm. It offers readers moments of tranquillity, pleasant smiles, and even a few good laughs while reflecting the author's own innovations and experiences as a scientist.
September 24, 2024
Like other books of Dr. Vuong, I always had a good laugh and intellectually stimulating time after reading his book.
As someone who has experienced the frustrations of government procedures, the "culture" of doing research, or the poor and crowded streets in Vietnam, I found Dr. Vuong's observation both hilarious and poignant. This ability to tackle these everyday annoyances with humor and turn them into opportunities for reflection is truly masterful.
The traffic jam stories particularly struck me, bringing back my every college days in Vietnam's busy roads. Dr. Vuong's clever anecdotes about these situations not only made me laugh but also give me a pause for critical self-reflection--to think more deeply about the ironies and paradoxes in my daily lives.
Eventhough the book's structure might not familiar for a traditional narrative reader, it's perfect for anyone who enjoy bite-sized wisdom and can be read sporadically. Considering its modest price, the book is a worthy reading for anyone who want to develop critical thinking and want to explore the world through a more nuanced lens for growth and understanding.
As someone who has experienced the frustrations of government procedures, the "culture" of doing research, or the poor and crowded streets in Vietnam, I found Dr. Vuong's observation both hilarious and poignant. This ability to tackle these everyday annoyances with humor and turn them into opportunities for reflection is truly masterful.
The traffic jam stories particularly struck me, bringing back my every college days in Vietnam's busy roads. Dr. Vuong's clever anecdotes about these situations not only made me laugh but also give me a pause for critical self-reflection--to think more deeply about the ironies and paradoxes in my daily lives.
Eventhough the book's structure might not familiar for a traditional narrative reader, it's perfect for anyone who enjoy bite-sized wisdom and can be read sporadically. Considering its modest price, the book is a worthy reading for anyone who want to develop critical thinking and want to explore the world through a more nuanced lens for growth and understanding.
April 18, 2023
It is probably the most valuable $3.99 I have ever spent in my life, as this book is a treasure trove for readers with different backgrounds and mindsets. You can choose to read it in your spare time, or the moment when you need some inspiration.
I particularly like the story of the CHEAPEST SCIENTIFIC MATERIAL EVER!, in which a French physicist used a prank to lampoon those people who worship authority rather than science itself. In addition to laughter, it serves as a supermarket where everyone can come and get what he/she wants: for aspirants, the story seems to echo the old teaching that rising to power might justify their wrongdoings; for truth seekers, the story warns them to stay true to their heart and remain suspicious to every piece of news; for people who have faith in the booming AI industry, it makes them ponder: what we should do when AI technology is mature enough to fabricate misleading “evidence” that is even more authentic than a photo taken by a real space telescope?
Anyway, regardless of where you are coming from, come get what you want in this book.
I particularly like the story of the CHEAPEST SCIENTIFIC MATERIAL EVER!, in which a French physicist used a prank to lampoon those people who worship authority rather than science itself. In addition to laughter, it serves as a supermarket where everyone can come and get what he/she wants: for aspirants, the story seems to echo the old teaching that rising to power might justify their wrongdoings; for truth seekers, the story warns them to stay true to their heart and remain suspicious to every piece of news; for people who have faith in the booming AI industry, it makes them ponder: what we should do when AI technology is mature enough to fabricate misleading “evidence” that is even more authentic than a photo taken by a real space telescope?
Anyway, regardless of where you are coming from, come get what you want in this book.
April 19, 2023
If you are a person disoriented by the chaotic world outside and craving for some calmness but still wanting to know the right path to pursue, this book is for you. This book is a series of funny and thought-stimulating stories that will help you have a moment of escape from hustle reality to see and understand it deeper. All those understandings will then be translated into useful references for your navigation in life ahead.
April 26, 2023
This is a book that you can read anytime and anywhere. Thought-provoking and entertaining, the book consists of many short stories from the author's experience. Some philosophical thoughts are expressed in a fable-style of writing that makes me feel like reading a simplified and eloquent version of Sun Tzu's The Art of War :). It's no doubt why the book has become a Best Seller on Amazon after a few days of rolling out to the world. Strongly recommended for everyone!
December 8, 2024
A Heartfelt Journey Through Recovery
Meandering Sobriety is a beautifully written exploration of the journey to recovery. The author’s honesty and vulnerability resonate deeply, making it relatable and uplifting. I found valuable insights and inspiration on every page. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking understanding and support in their sobriety journey!
Meandering Sobriety is a beautifully written exploration of the journey to recovery. The author’s honesty and vulnerability resonate deeply, making it relatable and uplifting. I found valuable insights and inspiration on every page. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking understanding and support in their sobriety journey!
April 18, 2023
The book is definitely worth $399.99. Oops, sorry, I meant $3.99.
April 26, 2023
Such an amazing book!
Want to read
September 3, 2024February 24, 2025
The following review is useful: https://philarchive.org/archive/HAITET-2
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews