What do you think?
Rate this book
The Universe and I Walked into a Bar: How all of existence is one and other stuff
If you met the Universe in a bar, what questions would you ask? More interestingly, what answers would you get? Following the success of Rainbow Warrior Handbook - The Underground Guide to the Psychedelic Revolution, with over 500 copies sold and presented at the biggest psychedelic gatherings in 2018 including Shankra Festival and Ozora Festival, Kai Teo is back with another funny, insightful, and humble exploration of universal consciousness.This book moves beyond the discussion of psychedelics and presents an in-depth discussion of universal oneness, love, and the simplicity of life.
110 pages, Paperback
Published July 3, 2019
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
September 17, 2019
To start off, I have personally met the author, Kai Teo several times and he is a really nice and friendly person. However, despite how much I like meeting Kai, I have to give my honest review of his book.
It strives to ask the fundamental questions about our existence and how to give the reader at least some bearings on how to orient themselves in this universe.
The premise is really intriguing, especially since it is written in a much more accessible manner compared to other litterature that deals with consciousness and the mystery of universe. However, good popular science is still based on actual science and it's too obvious that this book, just like his last one, isn't.
There are definitely some interesting parts about the book where the mysteries of existence is being debated, but it is sadly hidden behind so many pages of quotes that is borderline caricature on "hippie culture. Most of the book ends up as pseudo scientific oneliners filled with intriguing buzzwords that works great on a hippie Tumblr or as banter when you are tripping on acid with strangers on a festival, but those actually doesn't have any meaning in them if you look deeper. Many of the arguments made goes against previous ones made in the previous chapter and the arguments also fall apart as unfalsifyable or void of actual statement as soon as you apply reason to them.
It seems as if Kai Teo hasn't done enough homework regarding reading the literature that already exist on the topic before setting out to write his own books.
I was hoping for a more accessible and playful take on these subjects and this book has got plenty of playfulness where I actually laughed a couple of times, but it shouldn't be used as a book to base your arguments regarding the mystery of consciousness and the universe.
If you are interested in these topics and want an accessible book recommendation, look for Conscious by Annaka Harris instead, as that book brings up several takes on the topic buy also gives panpsychism (that consciousness is a part of everything) a fair chance.
It strives to ask the fundamental questions about our existence and how to give the reader at least some bearings on how to orient themselves in this universe.
The premise is really intriguing, especially since it is written in a much more accessible manner compared to other litterature that deals with consciousness and the mystery of universe. However, good popular science is still based on actual science and it's too obvious that this book, just like his last one, isn't.
There are definitely some interesting parts about the book where the mysteries of existence is being debated, but it is sadly hidden behind so many pages of quotes that is borderline caricature on "hippie culture. Most of the book ends up as pseudo scientific oneliners filled with intriguing buzzwords that works great on a hippie Tumblr or as banter when you are tripping on acid with strangers on a festival, but those actually doesn't have any meaning in them if you look deeper. Many of the arguments made goes against previous ones made in the previous chapter and the arguments also fall apart as unfalsifyable or void of actual statement as soon as you apply reason to them.
It seems as if Kai Teo hasn't done enough homework regarding reading the literature that already exist on the topic before setting out to write his own books.
I was hoping for a more accessible and playful take on these subjects and this book has got plenty of playfulness where I actually laughed a couple of times, but it shouldn't be used as a book to base your arguments regarding the mystery of consciousness and the universe.
If you are interested in these topics and want an accessible book recommendation, look for Conscious by Annaka Harris instead, as that book brings up several takes on the topic buy also gives panpsychism (that consciousness is a part of everything) a fair chance.
Displaying 1 of 1 review