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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Strangers Drowning summary
Larissa MacFarquhar
Grappling with Impossible Idealism, Drastic Choices, and the Overpowering Urge to Help
18 mins
Brief summary
'Strangers Drowning' by Larissa MacFarquhar tells the stories of extreme do-gooders, examining the motivations and consequences of their altruistic actions. It raises important questions about the boundaries of empathy and the potential ethical dilemmas of extreme self-sacrifice.
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Strangers Drowning
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Key idea 1 of 8
Altruism is indiscriminate and can be of great benefit to the altruistic person.
What does it mean to be altruistic? Essentially, it means being helpful to others even if it causes you hardship. But it’s more than just taking a minute to help an old lady cross the street or jumping into a lake to prevent someone from drowning.
True altruism means helping others, even if it puts your own life at risk.
And this duty to help extends to all human beings, including your enemies.
Dorothy Granada is one such altruist: in 2010, the 80-year-old nurse opened a clinic in Nicaragua where bloody conflicts were still going on between two opposing political factions, the governing Sandinistas and the rebel militia known as the Contras.
While many of the clinic’s employees believed they should only treat Sandinistas and their families, Granada felt otherwise. Despite the fact that Granada and her staff were close to the Sandanistas, and that healing Contras could lead to the deaths of more Sandanistas, Granada believed that it was her duty as a nurse to help everyone, including wounded Contras, even if this meant that she was putting herself in danger. Granada was truly altruistic.
In fact, helping the enemy can be of great benefit to the altruistic person: one day, a Contra rebel came seeking treatment at Dorothy’s clinic. The rebel had an impassive and scary expression that Dorothy recognized as the face of someone who had tortured and killed. But he also had a bullet lodged in his head and needed help, and Dorothy’s clinic was the only place in the area where he could go.
Indeed, Dorothy healed his wound, and it turned out that being altruistic was the right decision.
Later on, the Contras were planning an assault on the clinic. But the rebel Dorothy had taken care of intervened, sparing the clinic from attack.
It was altruism that ultimately saved the clinic and, perhaps, the life of Dorothy Granada and her staff.
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What is Strangers Drowning about?
Strangers Drowning (2015) tells the amazing stories of people who decided to put an end to selfish behavior and devote their lives to helping others. Find out what it takes to lead a life of altruism and selflessness, and the price people pay to make a difference in the world.
Strangers Drowning Review
Strangers Drowning (2015) by Larissa MacFarquhar is an intriguing exploration of extraordinary altruistic individuals and the moral dilemmas they face. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It offers a thought-provoking examination of people who go to extreme lengths to help others, posing important questions about the limits of compassion.
- Through compelling storytelling and in-depth research, MacFarquhar brings to light the complexities and motivations behind these individuals' selfless acts.
- The book challenges conventional notions of goodness and raises philosophical questions about what it means to live a good, morally conscientious life.
Best quote from Strangers Drowning
Love in action is a harsh and dreadful thing compared to love in dreams. – Fyodor Dostoevsky
—Larissa MacFarquhar
Who should read Strangers Drowning?
- Good samaritans who want to understand their desire to help
- Cynics who want to be more altruistic
- Students or business people looking for meaningful work
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Strangers Drowning FAQs
What is the main message of Strangers Drowning?
The main message of Strangers Drowning is the extraordinary lengths some individuals go to help others, often to the detriment of themselves.
How long does it take to read Strangers Drowning?
The reading time for Strangers Drowning varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Strangers Drowning a good book? Is it worth reading?
Strangers Drowning is a thought-provoking book that challenges conventional ideas about altruism and the limits of compassion. It is definitely worth a read.
Who is the author of Strangers Drowning?
The author of Strangers Drowning is Larissa MacFarquhar.
What to read after Strangers Drowning?
If you're wondering what to read next after Strangers Drowning, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- 12 Rules For Life by Jordan B. Peterson
- 7 Strategies for Wealth & Happiness by Jim Rohn
- Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
- Doing Good Better by William MacAskill
- Generosity Wins by Monte Wood & Nicole F. Roberts
- The Half Known Life by Pico Iyer
- The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy (Ian McMahan revised)
- The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
- Younger for Life by Anthony Youn
- Unfu*k Yourself by Gary John Bishop