This month, I dove into Going Infinite by Michael Lewis—a fascinating exploration of the rise and fall of Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), FTX, and the world of cryptocurrency.
Here’s what you’ll find in this video:
📚 Insights into the story of SBF and his ventures, FTX and Alameda Research.
💡 The neurodiverse traits observed in Sam and his later autism diagnosis.
🌟 A deeper conversation on the importance of communication, teamwork, and self-awareness for success.
🧠 Reflections on why understanding yourself and building support networks is key to achieving your goals.
If you’re curious about cryptocurrency, the Bitcoin market, or how neurodiversity intersects with high-stakes innovation, this book—and this discussion—will captivate you.
Transcription:
Hello, my Different Thinkers!
This month, the book I read was Going Infinite by Michael Lewis. It tells the story of the rise and fall of a new tycoon—Sam Bankman-Fried, often referred to as SBF. He was the founder of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX and the president of Alameda Research. Unfortunately, these ventures were not successful in the Bitcoin market, and he is currently serving 26 years in prison as a result.
It’s a very interesting story, especially if you’re curious about Bitcoin or about brilliant people coming together to create something in a new frontier—specifically in this case, currency and Bitcoin. If that intrigues you, you’ll very much enjoy this story.
I found it particularly interesting from a neurodiverse perspective. After Sam was arrested and went through criminal proceedings, he was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. I found that fascinating because, as you read the book—literally in the first chapter—if you know anything about neurodiversity, there are clear signs. For instance, his foot is bouncing as he’s playing video games during a very important interview. He’s just grunting and saying “yes” occasionally.
When I read that, I thought, “Wow, there are probably a few neurodiverse traits going on here.” I never diagnose without being asked, but I definitely recognized signs of neurodiversity. It seems like this was something addressed later in his life—maybe a little too late.
One thing I want to talk about is the importance of communication. Being tested, diagnosed, or seeking to learn more about yourself and your brain is incredibly valuable. It’s important to understand who you are in the world, how you communicate, and how you fit in. When you have that understanding, it becomes easier to ask for help, keep moving forward on your goals, and build a support network.
This is actually how most people—and, really, all people—become successful. We all work together as a team. That was one of the key takeaways from this book: teamwork is essential, and so is communication. Both are invaluable.
So that’s my reminder: communication is key, teamwork is immensely valuable, and reading a good book can be a lot of fun. This one was definitely a fun and fascinating read.
I’m JoyGenea, International Neurodiversity Coach. It’s great to hang out with you. I’d love to hear what book you’re reading—share it in the comments!
Bye now!