October 2025
The best of movies, shows, youtube, blogs, books from last month
Life is weird for polymaths.
I have always enjoyed my work, but today I am in a great mental space with the momentum I’m carrying. Content is coming out okay, subscriber growth is good, and so on.
On the other hand, my year as an athlete has been horrible. Probably the worst year I’ve ever had.
I am in the zone when I’m working, and I get sad when I think of the sport I love.
Weird math, I know.
But yes, I started focusing on my fitness. I am sure it’ll have a second-order effect on my performance. But I also want to consume sports stories. Something that keeps me close to why I enjoy the game and not let myself be pulled down by the weight of underperformance.
So I’ve picked up this beautiful book called The Inner Game of Tennis. It talks about the mental state of Tennis players and how to act intuitively. Athletes call it ‘being in the zone.’
Honestly, I am learning nothing new, but constantly reading about mental states makes me conscious of my thoughts. It’s a good book. You should read it if you’re into competitive sports. You don’t have to know Tennis jargon.
Anyway… here come more recs from October. (I know it’s late. Life kinda happened.)
YouTube
Why is Blue so rare in Nature?
Be Smart is my favourite channel to consume useless knowledge. It’s an important part of my personality. I believe all the interesting knowledge consumed with no specific intentions will compound over time.
This video is about the science of why animals are rarely blue, but when they do, they’re too beautiful. Like the butterflies.
The Science of Self-Control
Over the years, I have read multiple materials on self-control, but this video on monitoring internal conflict between your two selves made the most sense to me.
TL;DR is you have selves conflicting with each other.
For example, Self one craves ice cream. Self two says no sugar.
We think Self two loses the conflict to Self one, so we order an ice cream. But the author argues it’s neither about winning nor losing. It’s about monitoring.
Imagine an eagle-eye view.
You’re policing two people having a healthy argument. It doesn’t turn ugly as long as you have eyes on them. But the moment you look away, they start a fist fight. One of them wins. Now you have no control over the action that has already happened.
In much simpler words, the video explains how staying in the present leads to self-control. At least that’s my takeaway.
AMA with Zerodha Executives
I am not a finance guy, but I love listening to Zerodha’s annual executive AMA.
It’s just the company’s executives having a chat about the future of the company and the industry.
There’s so much to learn by just observing how these folks at the top level speak and think, and that’s the only reason I watch such videos even when they’re not directly linked to my interests.
Blogs and Newsletters
I don’t believe in manifestation as in “Manifest something and it happens to you.”
I thought it was wishful thinking with no action. I had another perspective on how one might confuse visualisation with manifestation.
But this blog changed my perspective on manifestation so much that I am manifesting now (Trust me, I am a hard person to convince.)
The author tells us how manifestation is attention training and it’s the most logical perspective I have ever heard.
Movies
Little Hearts
I have a hard time suggesting Telugu movies because they’re language-based. Irrespective of how beautiful the story is, the dialogues engage Telugu viewers, and the dubbing or subtitles won’t do justice.
Especially when there’s comedy involved.
But I’m willing to bet you’ll enjoy Little Hearts. It’s my second favourite Telugu rom-com after Ante Sundaraniki. The last 7 minutes are magic and I’ve probably seen it 30ish times.
Shows
Search
I hate it when shows end the season without solving THE conflict.
Search is a gripping show. Engaging, good acting, suspense, etc. But it never closes the loop.
For example, think of a theft and the police have to catch the thief.
Six episodes pass by with detectives, clues, and stuff, and at the end of the last episode, the makers don’t solve the mystery and say it’s for the next season.
I hate that shit. You open new loops for the next season, great. But you’re not closing THE loop is my biggest turnoff.
Btw, I have also watched Baahubali: The Epic in theatres. The makers have combined both parts and rereleased the film for the franchise’s 10-year anniversary. Pictures.
I have also watched the House of Dynamite and Diplomat season three. Both are good one-time watches if you don’t find any better shows/movies.
See you in December. Write to me with what you’re reading/watching. I’d love to discuss.
I am tired of spy, diplomacy, sci-fi, and war genres. If you have recommendations for me, HMU!
Love,
Vikra