Richard Golian

1995-born. Charles University alum. Head of Performance at Mixit.

#myjourney #myfamily #digital #darkness #security #finance #politics #cognition #health

Castellano Français Slovenčina

Richard Golian

Hi, I'm Richard. On this blog, I share thoughts, personal stories — and what I'm working on. I hope this article brings you some value.

The Most Interesting Books I've Read

By Richard Golian4 February 2024 Castellano Slovenčina

Since my early childhood, I have been an avid reader. Looking back, I consider myself an ideal child: asleep, playing alone, or immersed in books. Reflecting on this, not much has changed over the past 28 years.

Personal writings by Marcus Aurelius
Personal writings by Marcus Aurelius with my notes and quotes from other Roman thinkers

Interestingly, I didn't require a vast collection of books; I sought out the ones I found most intriguing. This approach seemed logical—why settle for less when you can enjoy the best available? Although I can't recall the first book that captivated me, by the time I entered elementary school, a book about mammals had become my constant companion. I read it so frequently that the cover fell apart. I memorized facts about various mammals, including their characteristics and habitats.

However, the advent of the Internet marked a decline in my book reading. Technology utterly fascinated me, and at 12, I dedicated a summer to learning web development. This phase of my life, misunderstood by my family as mere gaming, was an enriching learning experience. I may share more about that period in a future post.

End of High School and Return to Books

As I contemplated my university studies, despite my experience as a freelance web developer and creator of several projects, I grew disinterested in coding. I chose to study International Relations, Politics, and Philosophy at Charles University.

The preparation for university admissions led me to disconnect from the Internet and retreat to the science library in my hometown, Banská Bystrica. That year was one of the best in my life, offering me the tranquillity and time to delve into topics of great interest to me, such as the chronologies of critical historical events in Western civilization and the exploration of historical maps. This period felt like a rebirth.

My blog page originated shortly after, documenting my growing fascination with knowledge approaches and phenomenology, especially during my master's studies, which bridged science and philosophy.

Books That Most Changed My Outlook on Life and the World

My childhood habit of re-reading favourite books has persisted, leading me to revisit many titles multiple times, with plans to re-read especially compelling sections. I've ranked these books by my current preference.

  • 8. Apology of Socrates (Ἀπολογία Σωκράτους) by Plato

This text offers Plato's rendition of Socrates' defence before his condemnation to death. I recommend it to everyone for its unparalleled impact on Western thought.

  • 7. On the Essence of Truth (Vom Wesen der Wahrheit) by Martin Heidegger

Engaging with this text was a formidable challenge, requiring two years of intensive study at Charles University, after which I felt I had barely scratched the surface—approach with caution due to its complexity.

  • 6. The Phenomenology of Spirit (Phänomenologie des Geistes) by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

This work comes with a dual warning: its complexity and the irreversible change in perspective it offers, primarily through its analysis of the Dialectic of Lord and Bondsman.

  • 5. Practice in Christianity (Indøvelse i Christendom) by Søren Kierkegaard

More than a discourse on faith, this work presents a reflective critique of the times, including the consequences of Hegel's rationality and the approach of modern science, offering a perspective that resonates beyond religious boundaries.

  • 4. Gorgias (Γοργίας) by Plato

I recommend it to everyone. Read it!

  • 3. Truth and Method (Wahrheit und Methode) by Hans-Georg Gadamer

A book that deepens the reader's understanding of philosophical and scientific discussions, suitable for readers across the spectrum of expertise.

  • 2. Being and Time (Sein und Zeit) by Martin Heidegger

It is a monumental text that I have engaged with extensively, revisiting specific passages nearly a hundred times. I caution potential readers about its complexity. It transcends ordinary understanding, requiring guidance from those experienced in Heidegger's thought.

I mentioned certain passages from this book in a post about the meaning of life in the age of artificial intelligence.

  • 1. Personal writings by Marcus Aurelius

My copy, brimming with annotations and quotes from other Roman thinkers, is a testament to my journey with this book. I recommend it to everyone.

Richard Golian

If you have any thoughts, questions, or feedback, feel free to drop me a message at mail@richardgolian.com.

A Middle-Class Confidence Crisis Could Trigger the Next Stock Market Crash

20 April 2025 When someone loses their job, their sense of security collapses—so they sell their stocks... 513

The AI Revolution: Time to Let Real Robots Do Robotic Work?

18 April 2025 This exchange struck a chord with me—enough that I’m writing this post... 372

What am I investing in today? That question must be preceded by another one.

13 April 2025 I often get asked what I’m doing with my finances this year... 450

I built my own analytics with the help of AI – cookie-free and GDPR-compliant

13 April 2025 This project changed the way I think about generative AI... 629

European Sales Under the Microscope – The Impact of the Boycott on American Brands

22 March 2025 Preliminary signals already suggested the impact might not be just symbolic... 756

I Changed My Daily Rhythm. Early Morning Silence Is When I’m Most Productive

21 March 2025 This change has made a huge difference for me... 363

AI-Powered Investigations: The Future of Exposing Crime

16 March 2025 The more I think about it, the more I realize what a fundamental issue this is... 443

Fear is Useful: AI and Robotics as a Threat to Our Security

15 March 2025 You might say I’m being too fearmongering. Fear is useful. 704

We Don't Think, We Just Consume.

8 March 2025 More and more, I feel like real thinking is fading away... 530

What Is Performance Marketing – and How Is AI Changing It?

6 March 2025 Performance marketing isn’t just about ads, data, and analytics... 520

Richard Golian: Business Intelligence, Automation and Performance

Main activities I would like to introduce you to my main activities in the field of E-commerce. 6104