Robustness

by Nicolas Pujol

Robustness is the ability to deal with stress tests, to act with courage and to accomplish the necessary while there is time. We live in a world of deficiencies and excesses, and the only miracle, life, exists thanks to balance. This equilibrium is fragile: humanity’s almightiness threatens to destroy it. Processed foods give us more empty calories than ever before, but fewer nutrients. Life expectancy lengthens, but available time shortens. We receive notifications and interruptions, reducing our ability to focus, to pursue deep work, and to prioritize. Instead of concentrating 5 hours at a time, we are invited to switch every 5 minutes.

The challenges of carving freedom, calibrating quantities and allocating time have existed at least since the writings of Hippocrates and Seneca over 2,000 years ago, and later on in the works of Paracelsus and Nietzsche. Modernity amplifies the phenomenon, but is not the issue. It is how we approach life that is. These are the challenges we discuss in Robustness, by combining disciplines often seen as opposites: passion and rationality, freedom and determinism, epicureanism and caloric restriction, metaphysics and physiology, statistics and life stories, not choosing between one or the other, but using both. While popular ideologies paint the world in black or in white, the world needs truth.

Robustness embarks the reader on a hedonist manifesto, a joint venture reconciling the divided domains of science and philosophy. The project took Nicolas Pujol to libraries research labs meeting scientists, to unexpected encounters with adventurers on volcanos, and to learn the methods and poignant stories of Robert Marchand, the oldest athlete on the planet.

This book is for life enthusiasts: fitness and sports practitioners, epicureans who like to experiment, to taste all flavors with all senses, and those who want to live without indifference, conscious that because life isn't fair, only us can make it more so.

500 pages, Paperback

Published November 16, 2017

About the author

Nicolas Pujol is a life enthusiast, technology executive and essayist.

His books explore oneness, how everything is connected. He is the author of The Mind Share Market and Robustness.

Reviews

[The Babbling Book Lover · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is kind of perfect as we were coming to the decision to slow down for the summer that I won the Kindle version of Robustness: Building a Less Fragile World by Nicolas Pujol in a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for my honest review. I had high hopes for this book, which I anticipated to be filled with enlightenment that would complement the minimalist lifestyle I have been trying to adapt. A way to expand my never ending desire for more time and less chaos. I was neither inspired nor entertained. The book opens with what is call Autobiography of the Child which tells various choppy stories of the author’s youth. Some are reminiscent of my own childhood such as vacationing in a rustic home and time with animals, but nothing struck me and brought me in. There are various stories of his family and a brief touch on the tribulations he experienced but nothing grabbed me by the feelings. Nothing drew me in. The rest of the book transitioned into what I can only describe as a research paper. Quotes and facts strewn about a meatless theme. It was dry and matter of fact and not inspiring as I would have hoped. I find much more substance in reading minimalist blogs, such as Becoming Minimalist than I did this book. In the middle of it I told my husband, “I have no idea how I can review this without sounding like an asshole”. As you can see I am failing miserably. While it is clear that the author when to great lengths to research and develop this project, it lact intimacy and heart for me. While I will continue my quest for simplicity, I will continue my quest elsewhere. On to the next literary adventure. Happy Reading!

Read this review and others at thebabblingbookblog.com!!!!

[Sunnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Robustness is a book that I was really looking forward to reading. As I turned each page, absorbing the words, I became more and more disenchanted with it. Although this is one of my favorite genres, I just couldn't get into this particular book. It seemed to go deeper into the author's life with nothing I could get behind as a prominent statement or belief that would keep my interest. I stopped reading the book about 1/3 of the way through, and gave it away hoping that the next reader might enjoy it much better than I did. Disappointing to say the least.

[Dawn Gehler · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok read

I agree with the author that back in the olden days we didn't have as much health issues as today because everything was natural no additives it was informal with the way we as a whole have become

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found many parts of this book interesting, but I failed to understand the central focus, or purpose.

I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads giveaways.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

finished with the book. absolutely nothing new in it.

[Clipinchick]

I received this book for free from the author/publisher in response for an honest review of the book. I have not had the opportunity to read this book at this time. I will add my
review of this book once I have read the book. Thank k you for allowing me the optometrist review your work. I look forward to reading this book.