Hero Worshipping the Devil

Michael Lewis, one of my favourites, often centres his books around heroes, whether they are nice or nasty. In "The New New Thing", he presents his most blatant hero so far - Jim Clark. Clark is as repulsive as a hero can get, often confusing us with his selfish and ludicrous behaviour. Lewis seems to fall for Clark like a high school sweetheart, blindly in love, yet somehow keeping enough of his senses to avoid being completely taken advantage of.

Jim Clark is a genius, which invites our sympathy. With an unusual background as a failure in Plainview, Texas, he gradually developed his genius, obtaining degrees and graduate degrees in physics, computer science, and engineering. He developed computer graphics and became rich with Silicon Graphics. However, he had no time for the money men. He wanted to help engineers like himself make fortunes. Then he changed his mind about the future, first believing it was in a home device (the TV) that could run your life, and then deciding it was the PC and internet. He started Netscape, made another bigger fortune, but was ultimately screwed by Microsoft. Compared to Gates, Clark is a mini devil. He became besotted with money and fell off the greed wagon. He built computer-operated mega sailboats and went a bit crazy. Then he started Healtheon, an awful internet interface in the US healthcare market. The book ends with him becoming even more ridiculously rich. It was this idiot, Clark, who started the idea of companies getting rich off hype, the new, new thing, and the gullibility of venture capitalists and the stock market.

The book is great when it focuses on Clark, but Lewis goes overboard with the boating episodes, which are dull. Normally, I like Lewis's weird heroes, like Billy Bean in "Moneyball", but Clark is a big, red-faced jerk. How he became rich and bored is only slightly interesting, and I haven't bothered following him up to see what happened next, mostly because I don't really care about him that much. Of course, it is a fascinating tale well told, for the most part. Only Clark is not much of a hero - more of a rich asshole.

This is my 4th stop on my journey to know more about the history of Silicon Valley.

This book, which is about Jim Clarke, provides me with a perfect lens to view the history of SGI, NetScape, and Healtheon (all of which were founded by Jim Clarke) through Michael Lewis' writing. It was truly an interesting book to listen to.

I was really surprised to hear that Jim was quite scared of Microsoft as a competitor. However, given the timeframe of events and the dominance of Microsoft in the PC market, it makes a lot of sense now. I really wish there were more stories about NetScape or Marc Andreessen or Jim Barksdale. But the major focus of the book was around the formation of Healtheon and the big, luxurious yacht that Jim was building. Frankly, the portion around the boat/yacht was actually irritating and less interesting for me.

Overall, it was a good listen about Jim Clarke, his background, and the context on why he is a significant figure in Silicon Valley. It offered valuable insights into his entrepreneurial journey and the challenges he faced in the highly competitive tech industry.

Although I would have liked more details about some of the other aspects, the book still managed to paint a vivid picture of Jim Clarke and his contributions to the world of technology.

It served as a great addition to my understanding of the history and evolution of Silicon Valley.

This book gave the impression of being like a stylish AB De Villiers innings on a flat track against a weak bowling attack. It appears good on the surface, but as you are aware, it lacks substance. And you have witnessed much better performances from AB.

When I perused the GR reviews of this book earlier, I encountered the same grievance: This was Lewis' weakest work, with a good style but leaving one unsatisfied. However, I had read a couple of books by highly regarded authors who referred to "Netscape" as something that truly opened the floodgates of the Internet. Consequently, I decided to take up the story of Jim Clark, the individual who co-founded Netscape.

Lewis is a finance professional, and in this book, we are repeatedly treated to the finances of the 3 companies that Clark founded. After a while, one can anticipate what Lewis is going to say next. The excitement of technology or the details of what the companies themselves accomplished for the world are lacking. Instead, there are minute details of Clark's pet-project ship "Hyperion," which were uninteresting, and in the end, I found myself speed-reading.

If you are a Lewis enthusiast, you may pick it up, but otherwise, it is advisable to avoid. There are superior books available on Silicon Valley.

It was an extremely good book that delved into the internet browser startup craze that swept Silicon Valley in the mid-1990s.

It vividly described the intense rivalries between Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator, which were the two dominant internet browsers during a time when the internet was still in its infancy.

I firmly believe that a great theme underlying this book is that remarkable ideas have the power to establish the standard for future products.

I assert this because Silicon Graphics provided the opportunity to model cars, airplanes, and ships. This unique opportunity led to significant and dramatic improvements that not only enhanced the user experience but also brought numerous benefits to consumers.

The book offers a fascinating insight into the evolution of the internet browser industry and the impact of innovative ideas on shaping the future.

Este libro ha envejecido, no demasiado pero da la sensación al leerlo de estar leyendo un libro de historia. Todo lo contrario que con El póker del mentiroso, que sigue hoy tan vigente como entonces.

Me encanta el olfato que tiene ML para elegir los temas sobre los que escribe. Elige lo que elija, hasta ahora, siempre me ha parecido el tema más interesante del mundo.

En esta ocasión, asistimos a la creación, ascenso y pinchazo de la burbuja de las puntocom desde primera fila. Seguimos la historia de Jim Clark, un emprendedor en toda regla que se forró secuencialmente con Sillicon Graphics, Netscape y Healtheon. Clark es un individuo curioso, con una ansia interminable por hacer cosas nuevas. Triunfó varias veces debido principalmente a la gran capacidad de convicción que tenía sobre inversores y colaboradores. Es un personaje curioso. ML dedica un montón de páginas al Hyperion, el yate de Clark, que funciona en automático guiado por 25 ordenadores. La obsesión de Clark por su yate contribuye a que lo veamos como un bicho raro, efecto totalmente buscado por el autor.

En resumen, el libro es bueno. Está muy bien escrito, y el tema es interesante. Recomendable.

A humorous and insightful look at Silicon Valley in the 1990s is presented through the eyes of the serial billionaire Jim Clark. I typically have no interest whatsoever in these kinds of biographical books about wealthy individuals. However, the amusing and irreverent nature of Lewis' writing makes it more than tolerable. In fact, there is actual analysis and discussion regarding the political economy of Silicon Valley startups, venture capital, and technology. By seeing it through Clark's eyes, you truly learn something about how tech capitalism functions, especially the clash between the emerging engineering stars of the Valley and the money-men of Wall St. and the local VC firms.

There is also a distinct sense of absurdity when contrasting Clark's complete lack of interest in his companies (as opposed to focusing on automating his large yacht) with the intense efforts of everyone around him to make him wealthy. Or how eager people are to grovel and fawn at his feet in order to invest in a business idea that he has sketched on a napkin that very morning, or something similar.

Overall, it is a great book; it is funny, educational, and surprisingly engaging.

Quick and Fun

Life is often filled with various tasks and responsibilities that can sometimes seem overwhelming. However, it's important to take a break and engage in activities that are both quick and fun. These can help to relieve stress, boost our mood, and add a touch of excitement to our daily routine.

One example of a quick and fun activity could be reading a short story or a few pages of a good book. It allows us to escape into a different world for a brief moment and can be a great source of entertainment. Another option is to play a quick game on our phone or tablet. There are countless apps available that offer engaging and challenging games that can be completed in just a few minutes.

We can also try doing a quick workout or exercise routine. It doesn't have to be a long and intense session. Even a few minutes of stretching or doing some simple bodyweight exercises can help to improve our physical and mental well-being. Additionally, listening to music or dancing can be a great way to have some quick fun. Put on your favorite tunes and let loose for a while.

In conclusion, finding quick and fun activities to do in our spare time is essential for our overall happiness and quality of life. So, don't be afraid to take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life and engage in something that brings you joy and excitement.

My least favorite among the in-depth Lewis books, yet that doesn't mean it's bad. Unlike "Liar's Poker", which Lewis believed would bring about sweeping change by exposing some sketchy practices and still holds true today, "The New New Thing" now feels a bit dated, 10 years after its publication. Nevertheless, for someone like me who had only a peripheral understanding of the late 1990s tech boom, this book was quite insightful. It provided valuable perspectives on both the business models (or lack thereof) of those companies and some of the relevant personalities. (Larry Ellison and John Doerr are still important figures.)

Although I doubt there is much commercial interest, this book could benefit from an updated epilogue, especially regarding Healtheon/WebMD. I have to think that it doesn't at all match the original vision. As always, Lewis's writing is very good and engaging. However, I didn't find Jim Clark as sympathetic as I assume I was supposed to. As a result, some of the chapters that focused on him personally, especially those about his flying a helicopter and sailing his boat across the Atlantic, felt a bit dragged out.

The New New Thing provides a detailed account of several years in the life of Jim Clark, the billionaire founder of Netscape and Healtheon. It is a combination of a biography and an internet success story. However, unlike Moneyball or The Blind Side, it lacks a clear and focused narrative. Instead, it meanders from Clark's various business achievements to his fixation on constructing a computerized sailboat.

A stronger narrative thread would have enhanced the book's appeal. Additionally, Lewis's attempt to coin the phrase "the new new thing" seems rather ineffective.

In the end, Clark emerges as a man who is perpetually dissatisfied with what he has and constantly desires more. Regrettably, reading his story left me with a similar feeling of dissatisfaction. It makes one wonder if true contentment is ever attainable for individuals like Clark, who are driven by an insatiable appetite for success and more.

Overall, while The New New Thing offers some interesting insights into the life and mind of Jim Clark, it fails to fully engage and satisfy the reader due to its lack of a coherent narrative and the underwhelming impact of its central concept.

“Never was a man’s love of risk so beautifully amplified by his environment as Clark’s was in Silicon Valley.” This profound statement by Michael Lewis in "The New New Thing: A Silicon Valley Story" sets the stage for an in-depth exploration. I was truly intrigued by Lewis' examination of the relationship between investment banking and the IT companies that emerged in Silicon Valley during the late 90s. In this unique environment, the typical venture technology relationship was inverted. Power shifted from the money men to those with ideas, or perhaps even more accurately, to the risk-takers and the developers. This was and remains an aberration in the business world. The book centers around Jim Clark, who was involved in nurturing three different IT start-ups - Silicon Graphics, Netscape, and Healtheon. Like his fellow Princeton New New Journalism master, John McPhee, Michael Lewis does an outstanding job of identifying and bringing to life the perfect person to serve as the focal point for a much larger story. While the book is nominally about Jim Clark, it really delves into the technology bubble of the late 1990s. Clark is a near-perfect example of the best and worst of that specific place and time in America's economy. However, this isn't my favorite Lewis book. It's not because it's not well-written, but mainly due to the subject matter. I'm more inclined towards value investing (following Graham & Dodd) rather than being a kamikaze investor. The concept of the New New thing is both interesting and a bit off-putting to me. I appreciate disruptive businesses, but I'm not a fan of the initial smoke and mirrors that often accompany these early-stage businesses.

Michael Lewis's book presents an interesting perspective, but what he does not emphasize enough (and really should have) is a crucial aspect. This is not merely another typical story of going from rags to riches. Instead, it delves into the fascinating account of how the mania of the internet bubble emerged in the 1990s and its far-reaching influence. It affected not only the traditional investors, Wall Street bankers, and the then-new venture capitalists in Silicon Valley.

Moreover, it shows us how the technicians, coders, hackers, wizards, and architects of the new world, who were supposed to be constructing things they truly believed in, ended up building whatever would make them wealthy. It's kind of a sad realization. And as you read, you can't help but start to think, "Oh!! So this is where all the chaos began!!" This aspect of the story provides a deeper understanding of the complex web of events that led to the boom and subsequent bust of the internet bubble, and how it changed the course of the technological and financial landscapes.

Michael Lewis, once again, presents a truly captivating account of the Silicon Valley boom that took place in the 1990s.

The narrative unfolds, revealing the ceaseless pursuit of the new new thing, a phenomenon that seems as eternal as the individuals who engage in it. These people, often regarded as mad geniuses, are driven by an insatiable thirst for innovation and the desire to create something revolutionary.

Lewis's storytelling prowess shines through as he delves into the heart of this technological revolution, painting a vivid picture of the excitement, the challenges, and the extraordinary characters who shaped it. The book not only offers a fascinating look into the past but also provides valuable insights into the nature of human ambition and the power of ideas.

Whether you are a tech enthusiast or simply someone who enjoys a good story, Michael Lewis's latest work is sure to keep you engaged from start to finish.