Deciding Between a Very Big Rock and a Really Hard Place | Josh Piven | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Author Josh Piven discusses his latest book, "Bad Versus Worse", which explores how to navigate lose-lose decision scenarios in a humorous and informative way.

Transcript

hey everybody uh welcome to other authors of Google Talk uh I'm really pleased to be sitting here with Josh Piven uh author of his first book the worst case scenario Survival Handbook which was a worldwide bestseller described as the New York Times as the book to have when the killer bees attack and is apparently kept on the desk on the editors of ... Read More

Key Insights

• 😚 Piven's "Bad Versus Worse" explores lose-lose decision scenarios in a humorous and informative manner.
• 🦡 The book draws inspiration from Piven's previous best-selling series, "The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook."
• 🗺️ Piven shares anecdotes about his experiences, including encounters with dangerous creatures and his travels to various countries.
• 📔 The book includes scenarios involving famous figures like Darth Vader and Adolf Hitler, bringing humor and creativity to decision-making.
• 📔 Piven highlights the role of timing and topical relevance in the success of his book series.
• 🗯️ The author discusses challenges in finding the right publishing home for his different book ideas.
• 🛀 Piven emphasizes the importance of passion and risk-taking in pursuing one's dreams and finding fulfillment.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Josh Piven come up with the idea for "Bad Versus Worse"?

Piven was inspired by the phrase "the lesser of two evils" and wanted to explore the concept of lose-lose decisions in a lighthearted and educational way.

Q: What were some of the humorous scenarios presented in "Bad Versus Worse"?

Scenarios included choosing between a Neanderthal and a ninja to cater a party or deciding whether to have Darth Vader or Don Corleone as a father.

Q: Did Piven face any challenges while writing the book?

Piven recounts struggles with finding the perfect fit for his ideas in the publishing industry and the difficulties of breaking into fiction writing.

Q: How does Piven's book differ from other survival-themed shows and books?

Piven's approach combines humor and education, making his books engaging for readers who want to learn practical survival skills while being entertained.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Josh Piven is known for writing the best-selling "The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook" series.

• He discusses his latest book, "Bad Versus Worse", where he poses lose-lose decision scenarios in a fun and educational manner.

• Piven shares anecdotes about his experiences, including escaping a three-foot bull python in an office and his travels to Australia and New Zealand.