Robert Greene's new book

[HMD]

The Law of Sublime, dropping this November. Is anyone looking forward to it? The writing process he described shows the amount of work he has put into it, make me more excited for it.

Edited Friday at 06:35 PM by HMD

[Joseph Maynor]

He gives a lot of advice which is about leveraging power, so I'm interested to see if he can transcend that to a degree.  I'm not a huge fan of Robert Greene.

[HMD]

@Joseph Maynor Do you find him valuable tho?

 

[Joseph Maynor]

9 hours ago, HMD said:

@Joseph Maynor Do you find him valuable tho?

 

I think his best book is "The Laws of Human Nature" which I read.  I think he's overly cynical about human nature though which can taint as much as it can enlighten.  

Edited Saturday at 05:45 AM by Joseph Maynor

[enchanted]

Ya looks good, will read it for sure

Edited Saturday at 08:00 AM by enchanted

[Joseph Maynor]

6 minutes ago, enchanted said:

Ya looks good, will read it for sure

I would read it but take it with a grain of salt.  He's in the business of selling books.

[Natasha Tori Maru]

I'll be reading this - I enjoy Robert Greene's work.

I've read The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction & The Laws of Human Nature.

[enchanted]

On 02/05/2026 at 4:57 AM, Natasha Tori Maru said:

I'll be reading this - I enjoy Robert Greene's work.

I've read The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction & The Laws of Human Nature.

Nice, me too.  What's your favorite take-away from all those books?

[Jordan of the Shire]

1 hour ago, enchanted said:

Nice, me too.  What's your favorite take-away from all those books?

The dramatic truth of power. Ruthless! The striking honesty.

[Ramanujan]

I would be skeptical of his new book. Greenes expertise in communication, power, strategy, dealing with other people. 

Topic of Law of sublime lies outside his area of expertise

Edited Sunday at 03:54 PM by Ramanujan

[enchanted]

On 02/05/2026 at 4:57 AM, Natasha Tori Maru said:

I'll be reading this - I enjoy Robert Greene's work.

I've read The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction & The Laws of Human Nature.

If you liked Robert Greene check out Oz Perlman's "Read Your Mind". Ignore the bad reviews, there is a subtle genius to Oz Perlman. Also check out some of his interviews where he does some mentalism. 

Edited yesterday at 01:22 AM by enchanted

[Natasha Tori Maru]

On 04/05/2026 at 0:05 AM, enchanted said:

Nice, me too.  What's your favorite take-away from all those books?

I think for me, as a 'total' its that human behaviour is quite predictable once you understand power, insecurity and desire. Most people cannot grasp the uncomfortable truth so they end up being played. I think 48 laws of power is illustrating reality clearly, not how we WISH it worked.

People misunderstand Robert's work and turn his stuff into manipulation tactics, paranoia and 'everyone is playing games'. I think this is a surfacy interpretation, because at the heart of it, it's more about awareness, choice & restraint. We can play the game, but if we know the game, we won't be ruled by it

I also am quite dark and Machiavellian in nature, so I am not afraid of this aspect of Robert's work.

25 minutes ago, enchanted said:

If you liked Robert Greene check out Oz Perlman's "Read Your Mind". Ignore the bad reviews, there is a subtle genius to Oz Perlman. Also check out some of his interviews where he does some mentalism. 

I'll check it out! Cheers

[Joseph Maynor]

Keep in mind someone's view of human nature is literally just a view of human nature.  You're believing other people instead of thinking and observing for yourself.

[Natasha Tori Maru]

Thinking and observing for one's self is just as much of a lens as a framework absorbed from another. No one is ever a neutral observer.

Empirically testing a model, direct observation and measuring against reality itself is where it is at - but bias is always present. Gotta manage that shit.

Bias is a given  

 

[Joseph Maynor]

I read his first book the 48 Laws of Power and I didn't think it was a great book at all.  It wanders, it's opaque in places.  I liked the Laws of Human Nature more but still I thought Robert Greene is way too cynical of a person, just my judgment.  

 

Edited 19 hours ago by Joseph Maynor

[Ramanujan]

46 minutes ago, Joseph Maynor said:

I read his first book the 48 Laws of Power and I didn't think it was a great book at all.  It wanders, it's opaque in places.  I liked the Laws of Human Nature more but still I thought Robert Greene is way too cynical of a person, just my judgment.  

 

48 law of power is a masterpiece. It will save you countless hours of pain and suffering caused by manipulators

 

 

The guy is the video don't know how to apply it and gets result. Ignore him

[Michal__]

I'll definitely read it if I remember.

[Joseph Maynor]

It is important to understand power very thoroughly, that premise I agree with.  

[oOo]

Yeah needless to say I never took Robert Greene very seriously.

Haha

 

Robert, as I recall, has been through a lot in his life, and a guy like Robert needs to turn that into life lessons. I have compassion for what he's been through. But personally, he should have considered more the potential negative impact his books may have on peoples world views, and the subsequent, sometimes synergistic effect with other negative influences, this would have on modern culture. I wonder what his thoughts would be on this interpretation actually.

🔥🌎My Own Personal Advice 🌎🔥: First and foremost focus on enhancing and or restoring empathy, it is the basis for morality, and understanding when its been transgressed, especially with ill intent. Without empathy, we have no positive religious and spiritual intent for morality, only thr tribal game theoretic outcomes. Secondly, study military warfare and game theory, followed by geopolitics through the latter lens coupled with every other sensible subject that makes sense to add here. Stay away from modern self help in this area.

 

best wishes sincerely ❤️

 

 

Edited 8 hours ago by oOo

[Joseph Maynor]

You have to be selective of disgruntled people's bird chirpings throughout life.  People have all kinds of things to say that reflect more on their issues than yours.