Isaac Chan’s Reviews > Moby Dick > Status Update
Isaac Chan
is on page 115 of 618
Note 1/2:
I have finally gotten around to reading Moby Dick. So far, it is simply amazing. It serves the 1 thing that I want from a book, in this stage of my life where I am settling into possibly the most boring phase - that phase where the next 30 years of life will no longer change, and I can see them with a reasonable level of certainty: i.e., 30 more years of grinding out bureaucratic work in a corporation,
— Mar 23, 2026 04:47AM
I have finally gotten around to reading Moby Dick. So far, it is simply amazing. It serves the 1 thing that I want from a book, in this stage of my life where I am settling into possibly the most boring phase - that phase where the next 30 years of life will no longer change, and I can see them with a reasonable level of certainty: i.e., 30 more years of grinding out bureaucratic work in a corporation,
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Isaac’s Previous Updates
Isaac Chan
is on page 329 of 618
Note 1/2:
Ishmael's entire internal monologue on the monkey rope, quote, - ' So strongly and metaphysically did I conceive of my situation then, that while earnestly watching his motions, I seemed distinctly to perceive that my own individuality was now merged in a joint stock company of two; that my free will had received a mortal wound; and that another’s mistake or misfortune might plunge innocent me into ...
— May 15, 2026 08:43AM
Ishmael's entire internal monologue on the monkey rope, quote, - ' So strongly and metaphysically did I conceive of my situation then, that while earnestly watching his motions, I seemed distinctly to perceive that my own individuality was now merged in a joint stock company of two; that my free will had received a mortal wound; and that another’s mistake or misfortune might plunge innocent me into ...
Isaac Chan
is on page 216 of 618
Note 3/3:
the founder makes or breaks the young company. At this point Ishmael is already uncomfortable with the founder of the startup (Ahab), but I detect that he is forcefully suppressing these discomforts due to the sunk cost fallacy, which he himself admits to, right before boarding the Pequod for good. Ishmael may even be coping by focusing on Ahab's experience on the seas and his technical skill.
— Apr 07, 2026 06:44AM
the founder makes or breaks the young company. At this point Ishmael is already uncomfortable with the founder of the startup (Ahab), but I detect that he is forcefully suppressing these discomforts due to the sunk cost fallacy, which he himself admits to, right before boarding the Pequod for good. Ishmael may even be coping by focusing on Ahab's experience on the seas and his technical skill.
Isaac Chan
is on page 216 of 618
Note 2/3:
joining, and only then gradually picking up the idiosyncratic norms and unwritten rules of that specific firm (as Ishmael does and recounts), and finally learning more about the boss himself and what could be his fatal, irascible personal drives.
I work at a corporation so I am exempt from this particular dynamic, but what I feel from Ishmael is similar to a new hire at a startup, where the vision of ...
— Apr 07, 2026 06:44AM
joining, and only then gradually picking up the idiosyncratic norms and unwritten rules of that specific firm (as Ishmael does and recounts), and finally learning more about the boss himself and what could be his fatal, irascible personal drives.
I work at a corporation so I am exempt from this particular dynamic, but what I feel from Ishmael is similar to a new hire at a startup, where the vision of ...
Isaac Chan
is on page 216 of 618
Note 1/3:
Captain Ahab reminds me a lot of Mr Yow - a moody, volatile boss who is best to leave alone and silently do your duty without crossing paths with him.
Also, I find Ishmael's notes on Ahab's motives and personal history to be deeply immersive. What I mean is that I can really feel the workplace dynamic - i.e., not knowing anything about the firm (the Pequod) and anything about the boss (Ahab) before ...
— Apr 07, 2026 06:43AM
Captain Ahab reminds me a lot of Mr Yow - a moody, volatile boss who is best to leave alone and silently do your duty without crossing paths with him.
Also, I find Ishmael's notes on Ahab's motives and personal history to be deeply immersive. What I mean is that I can really feel the workplace dynamic - i.e., not knowing anything about the firm (the Pequod) and anything about the boss (Ahab) before ...
clocking in and out every weekday (and arguably weekends as I already am obligated to do now), deferring consumption to grow my retirement savings, spending more time with my colleagues than I do with my loved ones, doing the same thing over and over again and probably staying in the same geography until I retire; I have realised that out of all the seemingly limitless possibilities of my youth, I have in fact become one actuality; the direction is set, the limits defined - I want a book to tell me a great tale beyond my sphere of familiarity, to take me out of my comfort zone, to see parts of the world which I will likely never see with my eyes of flesh but only with the eyes of the imagination, to step into the shoes of a person living a completely different life and fighting a completely alien war.
I am delighted that the vivid story of a plucky young sailor ticks all these boxes!
I am already learning such a great detail beyond what HLB can ever teach me: to not judge on first impressions and a little compassion goes a long way (Queequeg); that it is better to sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunk Christian; to know with certainty that many have died before me on this voyage that I am embarking on yet still choosing to soldier on for I also know that the meaning of my life lies ahead of me on this voyage (like how Ishmael looks at the tombs mounted on the wall of the New Bedford Whaleman's chapel before his journey, I too have heard stories of RMs before me who have burned out, got pushed out, or exited the game); that although it is better to sail with a moody good captain than a laughing bad one (e.g. Grace), the captain's moodiness can ultimately destroy him and his crew (I now reflect on my supremely good fortune that my current captain is not only good, but laughing!); that Elijah can appear out of nowhere to give you words of advice before you make a huge mistake, but the heat of the moment and the sunk cost fallacy can lead one to ignore Elijah.
I wonder how many Elijahs in my life I have already ignored, like Ishmael did.