As a neurodiversity coach I like to enjoy turning my coaching brain off and getting into an interesting story. That is not what happened when I read “Going Infinite” by Michael Lewis. My coaching mind was going off all of the time.
From Sam’s bouncing leg, to him playing video games while doing zoom interviews. And those were just a few of the comments in the opening chapter of the book that had me thinking this person behaves a lot like a brilliant neurodiverse person. By the end I was so damn impressed with what he was able to almost build and did build and disappointed in him for screwing it all up.
Here is a brief summary of the book (brought to you by Gemini AI)
“Going Infinite” by Michael Lewis chronicles the meteoric rise and catastrophic fall of Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) and his cryptocurrency exchange, FTX. The book traces SBF’s journey from his early days as an MIT math whiz to his creation of Alameda Research, a trading firm, and subsequently FTX, which became a leading crypto exchange.
Lewis details SBF’s eccentric personality, his embrace of effective altruism, and the rapid ascent of FTX fueled by the crypto boom. However, the book also exposes the risky practices employed by Alameda, the blurred lines between it and FTX, and the eventual liquidity crisis that led to FTX’s collapse, revealing a story of unchecked ambition, inadequate oversight, and the volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market.
Cryptocurrency and bitcoin are a whole world I know only a little about.
I did learn things about that process and it’s early years from the author and it was, like most new frontiers, a wild, ruthless, lucrative, and quickly changing business. People with ADHD, dyslexia, and autism are often very good at being early adaptors, builders, and explorers. I could really relate to that part of the book.
Sam broke the law. He is being punished for it.
Since the publication of the book Sam has been diagnosed with autism. That alone causes me to ask so many questions. How would his life have turned out differently if his parents had gotten him diagnosed and support before he was headed to 25 years in prison?
What does it mean to know thy self?
Reading the comments online about his diagnosis after the arrest was a loud reminder for me that people still have opinions of neurodiversity, IQ, and EQ and they don’t all feel good to read. Some of them are very harmful and untrue.
If you are neurodiverse you may enjoy reading or listening to this book. I promise that how you interpret it will be far different than who others interpret it and that is my point.
We do see things differently than the majority of people and at times I believe that it is really hard for a majority of people to understand where we are coming from. Because they don’t see things the way we do, they don’t understand why we make the decisions we do when we do. And at times that can turn out badly.
I would love to hear other people’s thoughts on the book, please share in the comments.
Communication – this is the one word I was thinking about the whole time. If any of these people would and could communicate with each other better, this whole thing might not end the way it ends.
Often that is also true for my clients at times when things get all messed up and the drama starts to fly. It all comes down to communication.
If you struggle at times to find the words to explain a complex thought, idea, or concept I can help with that. I know it’s an important skill to learn and that is why it is a big part of my coaching.
Until the next book,
JoyGenea
BONUS: What does AI have to say about the connections that MIGHT be between Sam and having some neurodiverse traits.
While Michael Lewis doesn’t explicitly diagnose Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) with any specific neurodevelopmental condition in “Going Infinite,” he presents several observations that have led many readers to speculate about SBF’s neurodiversity.
Here are some of the key signs:
- Difficulty with Social Cues and Facial Expressions: Lewis describes SBF as having difficulty understanding and interpreting social cues, particularly facial expressions. SBF himself admits to not understanding the “point” of facial expressions and even consciously trying to mimic them to appear more likable. This is a common trait associated with autism spectrum disorder.
- Unconventional Behavior and Appearance: SBF’s disinterest in social norms is evident in his behavior and appearance. He often wore the same casual clothes, even in formal settings, and displayed a general disregard for conventional social expectations. This can be interpreted as a sign of neurodivergence, where adherence to social norms may not be a primary focus.
- Intense Focus and Special Interests: SBF demonstrated an intense focus on specific areas of interest, particularly mathematics, probability, and finance. This intense focus and deep dive into specific subjects is often seen in individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions.
- Communication Style: Lewis portrays SBF’s communication style as direct, literal, and sometimes lacking in nuance. He often spoke in a matter-of-fact manner, without much regard for social niceties. This can be a characteristic of neurodivergent communication styles.
- Difficulties with Emotional Regulation: While not explicitly stated, some of SBF’s actions and reactions, particularly during the crisis leading to FTX’s collapse, could be interpreted as difficulties with emotional regulation. This is another trait that can be associated with neurodiversity.
It’s important to emphasize that these are observations and interpretations based on Lewis’s portrayal of SBF. The book does not provide a formal diagnosis, and it’s crucial to avoid diagnosing individuals based on secondhand accounts. However, the signs presented in “Going Infinite” have prompted many discussions about SBF’s potential neurodiversity and how it might have influenced his actions and decisions.