Home Game: An Accidental Guide to Fatherhood | Michael Lewis | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Michael Lewis discusses his experiences in the finance industry, the influence of his books on baseball, and his latest book on fatherhood.

Transcript

thank you for coming I'm thrilled to introduce Michael Lewis he doesn't know it but I've been a fan of his for about 20 years when he first wrote liars poker which if you haven't read it is sort of a scathing account of life on Wall Street which of course isn't what I chose to do when I graduated about the same time as he did I came here and we'd l... Read More

Key Insights

• 💝 Michael Lewis shares his journey as a writer, discussing his experiences in the finance industry, the influence of his books on baseball, and his latest venture into writing about fatherhood.
• 🖐️ Lewis highlights the impact of data and analytics in decision making in both the finance industry and baseball, where his books "Liars Poker" and "Moneyball" played pivotal roles.
• 😃 Lewis discusses his latest book on fatherhood, explaining how his personal experiences led him to document his journey, providing insights into the challenges and joys of being a new father.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Michael Lewis transition from writing about Wall Street to writing about fatherhood?

Lewis explains how becoming a father himself led him to write about the experiences and challenges of fatherhood as he didn't have a role model for the new fatherhood and wanted to document his own journey.

Q: What is the significance of Michael Lewis' book "Moneyball" in the world of baseball?

"Moneyball" introduced the concept of applying data and analytics to decision making in baseball. It had a significant impact on the management and coaching strategies in the sport, leading to a shift in the way teams evaluate players and make strategic decisions.

Q: How did Michael Lewis approach writing about fatherhood and sharing personal experiences about his children?

Lewis initially started writing a journal about his experiences as a new father, which he shared with his wife. Seeing her positive reaction to his writing, he continued to document his journey, using it as a way to rationalize his own feelings and provide insight into the challenges and joys of fatherhood.

Q: How does Michael Lewis view the future of the publishing industry with the rise of e-books and devices like the Amazon Kindle?

Lewis acknowledges the impact of technology on the publishing industry, particularly with the emergence of e-books and the Kindle. He notes that while the pricing model for e-books may change, the adoption of devices like the Kindle is inevitable and will shape the future of publishing.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Michael Lewis discusses his books on Wall Street and baseball, highlighting the impact of data on decision making in these industries.

• He talks about his latest book on fatherhood, which explores his experiences and the challenges of being a new father.

• Lewis explains how he started writing about fatherhood and the impact it had on his relationship with his children.