Brutally Human: The Paradox of Existence
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From the freedom that promises liberation but leaves us paralyzed with choice, to the endless pursuit of happiness that only makes us more miserable, Ricky deconstructs the myth of "having it together." Want happiness? Too bad—because the harder you chase it, the more it evades you. Control? Sure, but good luck planning anything in a world that laughs in your face at every turn. Ricky’s stories—like a mindfulness retreat that caused more anxiety than calm, or a perfectly planned vacation that unraveled into pure chaos—prove that life doesn’t follow the scripts we write.
The book doesn’t stop at personal paradoxes; it dives into society’s most ironic delusions. Unity through division? Check. Society thrives on finding common ground... by hating the same people. Technology that connects us? More like technology that isolates us in shiny, pixelated prison cells. We’re living in the Information Age, yet we’re somehow more ignorant than ever, scrolling through social media like it’s the holy grail of truth, while missing the real news. Wellness culture? It turns self-care into a competitive sport, proving that even rest has been commodified.
Each chapter offers a brutally honest—and often darkly funny—look at everything from the myths of work-life balance to the failure of “dream jobs.” Family? The ones who love you most are also the ones who’ll leave you questioning your sanity. Friendships? They’ll save you—but also roast you relentlessly. And don’t even get started on modern health and wellness, which somehow makes us feel worse about ourselves while claiming to “fix” us.
Brutally Human: The Paradox of Existence doesn’t offer easy solutions—because life is a chaotic disaster that can’t be fixed. Instead, it invites you to laugh at the absurdity, embrace the contradictions, and stop pretending that there’s a perfect way to live. Because, spoiler alert: there isn’t. So, let’s stop trying to solve life’s mess and start enjoying the chaos. After all, the only thing we can be sure of is that life will surprise us, disappoint us, and laugh at our expense—so we might as well laugh along.
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Ricky Firman is the author of They Said I'm Brutally Honest: Chronicles of My Naked Truth, Whether You Like It or Not and Brutal Truth About Indonesia: From Irony to Absurdity. Known for his sharp wit, unapologetic cynicism, and darkly comic style, Ricky’s writing cuts through the noise to deliver brutally honest reflections on the absurdities of life, culture, and society.
A self-proclaimed master of chaos, Ricky draws on his own experiences and observations to explore the contradictions that make us human. Whether dissecting the futility of chasing happiness or exposing the delusions of modern wellness, his books never shy away from pointing out the uncomfortable truths we all tend to ignore. With a history of challenging the status quo, a knack for dismantling societal norms and a fearless approach to controversy, Ricky writes with a unique blend of intellectual insight and irreverent humor, taking no prisoners along the way.
When he’s not penning his next unapologetically honest book, Ricky enjoys life with his wife, Sofia, and their dogs, all while continuing to confront the chaos of the world with a smirk and a laugh. Brutally Human: The Paradox of Existence is his latest foray into life’s contradictions, offering a fresh, sharp take on the absurd mess that is being human.
