03-03: From Tokyo to NY - 10 people I Would Like to Meet While Cruising the US

I wrote this before and thought to share it.
How great would it be great to go on a road trip across the US and, on the way, meet some of the people I admire. The list my brain conceived at 5:00 AM is long, but I trimmed it down to 10. Starting from NY.
I may write a blog, expanding on the descriptions, if people like the post :)

1. A Walk with Nassim Taleb (when his is in NY)

It has always been a dream to have a long walk with Mr. Taleb. Although in a separate daydream, the walk took place in the Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto, this one takes place in NY. We would talk about how to make our minds anti-fragile. Maybe discuss some of the ideas I got from James. Talk about how entrepreneurship could make economies anti-fragile.

2. A Brunch with James Altucher

James is a man with real skin in the game. I love reading his LinkedIn articles.
A Brunch talking about building anti-fragility, the best and worst experiments he has tried, etc., would be great. Also, talk about skipping the line or even jumping over all the lines.
I just bought Skip The Line.

3. Tea with Michelle Obama

She is simply an inspiration!
“It was one thing to get yourself out of a stuck place, I realized. It was another thing entirely to try and get the place itself unstuck,”
We talk about how to get a place unstuck and where to start. Talk about courage.

4. Lunch at a U Penn Cafeteria with Adam Grant

Adam Grant is one of my favorite writers and thinkers.
It would be great to meet Adam over lunch to talk about adaptive leadership, self-awareness, and what it means to be a good human being.
I am halfway through “Think Again,” it is a must-read.

5. Coffee with Rayan Holiday

One of my favorite authors. I fancy a coffee at his bookstore talking about stoicism, the meaning of life, and self-awareness.

6. A Walk with Tim Ferris

I have never met Tim, but I love the man. He is incredible. I would talk about everything Japan, over tea. Tim sometimes surprises me in his 5-bullet Friday using philosophically difficult Japanese words.

7. A 9-Holes Golf Game with Michael Jordan

“Once I made a decision, I never thought about it again.” - Michael Jordan.

I find it hard to make a decision and act like it is done. I back off the moment I see a chocolate cake from my decision to cut sugar.

A golf round with the legend, while chatting about how to be a cleaner (Tim Grover’s Relentless)

If you haven’t watched “The last dance” do it now.

8. A Tesla Ride with Elon Musk

A ride on one of the Tesla models while discussing AI, Mars, and banter over the identity of bitcoin inventor. I live in Japan, so I know many Nakamotos and Satoshis, but I am unsure which combination is correct.

9. Afternoon Tea with Cate Blanchett

Cate is the most poised person on screen and off the screen. I would absolutely enjoy a game of scrabble with her. Cate is excellent with words. Did you know there are 497 words related to Cate?!

10. A Dinner with Will Smith

Well, I have seen all his work. Will is simply incredible, and his work ethic is inspiring. I would definitely talk about how to conquer fear. Maybe skydiving together in Dubai!

Younes Hairej