One question · 6 of 24 answers to it
Professor of computer science, human-computer interaction and design
When Jeff Zaslow's column appeared in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), about a dozen publishers emailed me, asked if I would be willing to write a book based on it.
Recorded · Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Science · 2007
Neurologist and writer
On the contrary, I feel intensely alive, and I want and hope in the time that remains to deepen my friendships, to say farewell to those I love, to write more, to travel if I have the…
Recorded · The New York Times · 2015
39th President of the United States, 1977–1981; Governor of Georgia 1971–1975
As far as the Carter Center's concerned, I would like to see guinea worm completely eradicated before -- before I die. I'd like for the last guinea worm to die before I do. ...
Recorded · CNN · 2015
Mountaineer and explorer; first ascent of Everest, 1953
As I’ve gotten older, my goals have become more solidified. My main concentration is on the welfare of the people I’ve worked with in the Himalayas and on human welfare in general.
Recorded · Academy of Achievement
Author of Wild and Tiny Beautiful Things
I have so many ideas and things bouncing around in my head that I’ve been wanting to write for years, but there are only so many hours in the day.
Recorded · The Great Discontent · 2012
Essayist, critic and journalist
There is an even longer shot that I do propose to attempt even though its likely efficacy lies at the outer limits of probability.
Recorded · Vanity Fair · 2010
Answers marked Recorded were said elsewhere and are quoted with the publication and date they came from. Those people have not joined — nobody here answers on anyone else's behalf.
Architect; founder of Studio MK27
I would have my last meal in my office – since I spend most of my time there. But to cook I’d invite the Riviera’s Argentine chef Luciano “Lucho” Nardelli.
Recorded · Monocle
Singer and songwriter; lead singer of Maxïmo Park
I enjoy writing songs at home, so I would like to record an album on my last day. It would probably be a fairly melancholy, stripped-down record with just me and my guitar.
Recorded · Clash · 2014
Singer-songwriter and actor; records as Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
It will be a challenge to convince the pilot to make the trip, but certainly not impossible. We can make it from Kentucky to Washington state easily, and gain three hours in the time change.
Recorded · Clash · 2012
Actor and former NFL player
The Master Key System by Charles F. Haanel.
Recorded · The Blog of Author Tim Ferriss · Nove
Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, 1997-2009; Nobel Peace Prize 2005
Unfortunately, I don’t. My wife now reads fiction. I don’t have the time to read fiction.
Recorded · Academy of Achievement · 2006
Novelist and short-story writer
Touchstone books….I don’t know. So Long, See You Tomorrow; The Moviegoer; A Fan’s Notes; Alice Munro’s stories.
Recorded · Fiction Writers Review · 2011
Co-founder of LinkedIn; partner at Greylock Partners
This is going to sound a little strange, but my trainer started recommending that I add moringa leaf powder to my tea.
Recorded · The Tim Ferriss Show · 2018
Conservation scientist; chief executive of Conservation International
That’s a really hard question for me because I don’t buy a lot of stuff. I’m a total snob when it comes to the stuff I own. And the reason for that is because I travel incessantly.
Recorded · The Tim Ferriss Show · 2018
Founder of Digg; investor and podcaster
I hate to plug my other podcast, but on episode two I went out and interviewed this guy that is a master of pens. He knows more about pens than we do about anything else on earth.
Recorded · The Tim Ferriss Show · 2018
Recorded for public figures, from the source their answers were taken from. Browse by era too.
Every question the bank can deal, in the order it was written. See all 126.
Alan Shepard, Alice Sheppard, Arnold Palmer, Barbara Browning, Bernadine Evaristo, Björk Guðmundsdóttir, Bonnie Raitt, Busta Rhymes, Celeste Ng, Chloë Sevigny, Dominique Gisin, Don Warrington, Douglas Booth, Elaine Paige, Ethan Hawke, Frank McCourt, Gab Bois, Han Kang, Harry Enfield, Indra Nooyi, Irrfan Khan, Jerry Lewis, Johanna Konta, Julia Donaldson, Julius Erving, Kevin Rowland, Liev Schreiber, Martin Sheen, Michael Phelps, Novak Djokovic, Patti Smith, Philip Oakey, Richard Branson, Samuel West, Stephen Dorff, Tori Amos, Werner Herzog, Wisława Szymborska, Yusuf Islam, Yves Bonnefoy
You are dealt a few questions at a time and answer the ones you want to. What you write gets a permanent address and keeps it. Rewrite it whenever you like and say why — the new version goes up beside the old one rather than over it, so changing your mind reads as thinking rather than as a reversal.
You write before you read. Other members' answers to a question stay shut until you have answered it or passed on it, because reading first changes what you would have said. Passing is free and it is permanent.
Most of what is here so far was said somewhere else and recorded with its source — a named person, a publication and a date, on every line. Nothing has been deleted.