About this episode
I want to make sure the point of the “Bridge guard” story came across.
The king said, “It’s too salty.” Did he actually think it’s too salty? Who knows? Maybe he doesn’t want to admit that he’s tired or sick. Maybe he’s testing the chef’s confidence. Just because someone says something doesn’t mean it’s true.
The woman in the box is pushing and pounding. But we shouldn’t jump to the conclusion that she’s “trapped, can’t get out, trying everything, and nothing is working”. That’s the kind of self-defeating belief we’re surrounded with in everyday life.
The girl put these two examples together, and got the message that the guard isn’t actually blocking the bridge. Just because he says “no one can cross” doesn’t mean it’s true.
That’s what this part of the book was about. Distrust limitations. Strip away interpretations to see the few actual facts. We’re held back not by raw facts, but by the meanings we give them.
Get every episode summarized
Each time Derek Sivers publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
