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Book Review: The Freaks Shall Inherit The Earth and Think Like A Freak

The Freaks Shall Inherit The Earth: Entrepreneurship for Weirdos, Misfits and World Dominators by Chris Brogan
Wiley, $36.99

Did you know that beautiful people, such as us, have a head start in life? It is because our loveliness means people think we’re better and worth more than others who are less fortunate (it’s true – it’s called the halo effect). 

It’s a funny old world, isn’t
it? But it’s interesting that while the above phenomenon is proven, the opposite idea can also be true. 

If you believe Chris Brogan’s thesis in The freaks shall inherit the earth, it is the misfits and outliers who will rule the world, with our mad ideas and vision. It is a clarion call – a ‘what are you waiting for?’ message.

Think Like A Freak: How To Think Smart About Almost Everything by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner
Penguin Books, $37

On the other hand, Think Like A Freak – the latest in the Freakonomics franchise – is more pragmatic, a grab bag of ideas in a chatty conversational tone. You’ll enjoy it if you like Malcolm Gladwell’s style of reporting, lots of interesting examples in support of an idea.

So, are you ready to get your freak on? Imagining how you will spend the millions from your IPO? I have news for you. Going back to the awful truth that life just isn’t fair – and not just for plain and ugly people – it’s a paradox that we really love conventions, rules and systems that regulate the world and our understanding of it. 

Norms are essential to getting on – or at least just getting along. There are people who admire people with MBAs – trained in systematic, formulaic thinking; people who can help nurture and negotiate to make your ideas real. 

A new idea is like a child.
Your baby.  A child needs a father and a mother, though dad isn’t really needed to raise a bub once that seminal contribution has been delivered. 

The Freaks won’t necessarily inherit the earth – but every child usually benefits if one parent is the glitter and the other the glue.

Both are enjoyable reads – if they put a glimmer in your eye then all the better. 

Review overview