Read, Question, Persist: a Q&A Interview With Giuliano Mana

For the 10th issue of On Second Thought, I wanted to switch things up. Instead of another solo essay, I sat down with Giuliano Mana: a prolific reader, sharp thinker, and philosophic student of life. We talked about philosophy, how we learn, and what it means to live with intention.

Let’s dive in.

Q: What drives you to read and learn so relentlessly?

A: I think I just enjoy learning. The world is fascinating. And reading compounds like crazy.

Q: How do you decide which ideas are worth wrestling with?

A: Sometimes, you get a feeling that some truth is across the street. I try not to struggle with worthless ideas.

Q: Is there a question you find yourself returning to again and again?

A: Too many. The most frequent one is ‘why?’

Q: How do you know when a belief or idea is truly yours, not borrowed?

A: You can tell if you are intellectually honest, but rarely one has an idea that’s truly theirs.

Q: Which thinker or book has most changed how you see the world?

A: Poor Charlie’s Almanack for the book. As for a thinker, it’s tough to narrow down. Maybe Isaac Newton if I had to choose.

Q: How do you turn different ideas you learn into action or understanding?

A: A good first step is writing about them. Getting them to reality, as tangible things, is something I continue to struggle with. I don’t know.

Q: What’s an idea you’ve had to unlearn to think more clearly?

A: That no piece of knowledge is absolutely true. Newton’s laws are, I believe, as close as it gets. Besides that, it’s tough to tell. But that’s a good thing. No experts, no authority. One is free to think and speculate.

Q: How do you stay curious when life feels repetitive or overwhelming?

A: I’m not able to. Some times are just more difficult than others. The only key is showing up anyway. “I don’t have any talent, so I just wake up earlier”

Q: When you reflect on your thinking process, are there any patterns stand out?

A: Truly understanding is hard. Getting there is easier when one accepts their ignorance. Sometimes, I might read about something for months until the click happens. Until then, I’m okay with having no idea what’s being talked about.

Q: What’s one principle or mindset that guides how you live your life?

A: “The best way to get what you want is to deserve what you want.”

Q: What lessons from the past are most relevant to thinking today?

A: We think most things are new. But mistakes have low variance, generation after generation. Setups are structurally the same. And human nature hasn’t changed.

Q: If someone wanted to sharpen their thinking, what would you have them do first?

A: Study the Masters. Dostoevsky, Orwell, Newton, Darwin, Adam Smith, just to name a few.

Giuliano’s philosophy is simple: stay curious, stay honest, stay persistent. Read widely, question deeply, and move toward the life you want.

If you’re interested in learning more about Giuliano’s ideas, you can find him on 𝕏. Make sure to go follow and support him there.

Until next time, keep second guessing.