Reddit reviews Off to Be the Wizard (Magic 2.0)

"Being the best that you can be" is a better goal than "being better than everyone else", because it results in better outcomes.

For the vast majority of people being better than everyone else is simply not going to happen for any one thing. In order to be better than everyone else at a particular task you effectively need to dedicate your entire life to that one task. Most people are not going to be happy doing that, and so they're not going to be as effective at it as the people who are happy doing that. Because of that, having the goal of being better than everyone else leads to the things that you've noticed: an inferiority complex, stealing work (an act which adds no value to the world), giving up because you won't succeed, etc.

For the few people who are going to be world class at something, the goal of "being better than everyone else" may lead to underachieving. If the best in the world simply wants to be the best in the world, then there's no need for them to strive to improve themselves any more than necessary to keep up with their competition.

Having the goal of "being the best that you can be" deals with both of these problems. Doing the best you can is always an achievable goal, so it won't put you in the "my goals are impossible" funk, and if you're going to be the best in the world at something, it encourages you to keep getting better no matter what.

Now, an important thing about this is the value of contribution. Implicit in your view is that contribution has no value unless it's the best contribution. This shows up in your line:

> Why be the best you if there's someone out there who can run laps around your best?

The answer is that your best can still improve the world and your life. For example, I really enjoy the Magic 2.0 book series. It is definitely not the best writing out there. It's not even the best entertainment-focused fantasy fiction out there. But I'm glad that it exists. I find it fun. If the author decided it was unimportant to be their best, because other people write better, then that book series wouldn't exist.

Off to Be the Wizard (Magic 2.0) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1612184715/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6HElDbAQ230Z0

https://www.amazon.com/Off-Be-Wizard-Magic-2-0/dp/1612184715

Sounds a bit Matrix-y for kids.

Sounds like the book Off to be the Wizard by Scott Meyer of Basic Instructions fame.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18616975-off-to-be-the-wizard

> Martin Banks is just a normal guy who has made an abnormal discovery: he can manipulate reality, thanks to reality being nothing more than a computer program. With every use of this ability, though, Martin finds his little “tweaks” have not escaped notice. Rather than face prosecution, he decides instead to travel back in time to the Middle Ages and pose as a wizard.

> What could possibly go wrong?

> An American hacker in King Arthur’s court, Martin must now train to become a full-fledged master of his powers, discover the truth behind the ancient wizard Merlin…and not, y’know, die or anything.

It's been done. Three book series actually.

https://www.amazon.com/Off-Be-Wizard-Magic-2-0/dp/1612184715

I can't believe no one has said this one yet:

Off to Be the Wizard

Description:

>
Martin Banks is just a normal guy who has made an abnormal discovery: he can manipulate reality, thanks to reality being nothing more than a computer program. With every use of this ability, though, Martin finds his little “tweaks” have not escaped notice. Rather than face prosecution, he decides instead to travel back in time to the Middle Ages and pose as a wizard.

>What could possibly go wrong?

>An American hacker in King Arthur’s court, Martin must now train to become a full-fledged master of his powers, discover the truth behind the ancient wizard Merlin…and not, y’know, die or anything.

It was a great read and there are two more books after (with the next in production now). The sequels are not as good as the first but I still enjoyed them very much. :)

Off to Be the Wizard by Seth Meyer is my favorite comfort food book. It's very light, but engaging, and presents an intriguing premise that's fun to think about.

I listened to the audio versions of the series read by Luke Daniels, who was a great match for the material, I thought.

I want to read print if I'm sitting and relaxing, but if I have to be up and active, doing tasks like laundry or driving that leave my mind free to ruminate, audio books really save me from myself.

There's also [Off to be a wizard] (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Off-Be-Wizard-Magic-2-0/dp/1612184715). Anybody knows other series in similar spirit? (techno-geek-magic thing)

Off to Be the Wizard by Scott Meyer.

I read this a few years ago and really enjoyed it. It's on the lighter side of things.

Amazon description: Martin Banks is just a normal guy who has made an abnormal discovery: he can manipulate reality, thanks to reality being nothing more than a computer program. With every use of this ability, though, Martin finds his little “tweaks” have not escaped notice. Rather than face prosecution, he decides instead to travel back in time to the Middle Ages and pose as a wizard.

Here's a really good find that not a lot of people have heard of (I think). Scott Meyer--the comedian behind the web comic Basic Instructions--started a fantasy book series called Magic 2.0 that starts with Off to Be the Wizard.

The premise is that the hero lives in a computer simulation and have found a file that allows them to change the parameters of their world. By editing the file, they can change their location, the money in their bank account, the time that they are living in, etc.

I laughed out loud at many passages. I actually listened to the audio version of the book that you can get on Audible. The narrator Luke Daniels does a tremendous job of reading the book.

Anyways, I cannot recommend this series enough. There's only two books out now, but a new one should be published in early 2015.

I'll post a link later, but check out Off to Be the Wizard. It's literally a whole book series about this.

Edit link, as promised, and Wikipedia article

Heh sounds kind of like the plot to "Off to be the Wizard" by Scott Meyer

There was a book that reminds me of this called Off to be the Wizard. I really enjoyed it, there's a few sequels as well which I haven't read yet but the first one at least was great, it's worth a look, seems like you'd enjoy it if you have thoughts like this!

Man, wasn't it so good?! I just found out it's turning into a movie, but idk how well that would work. I got the audiobook for it, and Wil Wheaton narrating it was goddamn perfect! I think that's the best medium for a story like this that's heavy on internal narration.

Also, I'm currently reading/listening to Off to be the Wizard, by Scott Meyers. Somewhat similar, but extremely enjoyable, and the narrator on this audiobook is damn good too! http://www.amazon.com/Off-Be-Wizard-Magic-2-0/dp/1612184715

'Off to be the Wizard' also uses Esperanto, as the words they use for magic spells. It's not very good Esperanto, though.

Off To Be The Wizard by Scott Meyer?

(Normally I link to Goodreads instead of Amazon, but Goodreads is throwing up a certificate error for me right now.)

I am still trying to wrap my brain around the ending. the significance etc... The writing was always good. The further you read and the older the main character gets the cleaning and easier it is to interpret. Chapter 7 where Eiji gets a job in the pizza shoppe and Yakuza's interaction with him are a bit over the top. If you think about it. Why would they spend that much time and energy bothering him and trying to make him pay his debts.
Eiji's relationship with Ai is sweet and they should of let that develop more. My faveroite character is Buntaro his landlord. But he plays such a minor role. On my goodreads I gave it 4 stars.
My next book "Off to be the Wizard" is totally random amazon buy. Hopefully it is good
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612184715/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I highly recommend Off to be the Wizard, about a kid who basically discovers life is a computer simulation, and goes back to medieval times to try and pass himself off as a wizard. Much better than it sounds.

Reminds me of "Off To Be The Wizard"

https://www.amazon.com/Off-Be-Wizard-Magic-2-0/dp/1612184715

Have you ever read Off to Be the Wizard? Magic and programming is awesome! haha

Or just the plot of a novel...

Did you find "the" database?

http://www.amazon.com/Off-Be-Wizard-Magic-2-0/dp/1612184715

I have to agree with The End of All Things by Scalzi. Surprisingly good series.

Also, don't judge me, but I have one that is a bit more in the Fantasy side of things. It's admittedly a guilty pleasure, but I'm really excited for An Unwelcome Quest by Scott Meyer. It's the 3rd book in the "Magic 2.0" series that begins with Off to be the Wizard

This looks exactly like something out of the Magic 2.0 series by Scott Meyer.

Off to be the Wizard & Magic 2.0 series might fit the bill for you. It'll be a little different take on medieval wizardry, but it is a real entertaining read.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Off-Be-Wizard-Magic-2-0/dp/1612184715

I really enjoyed it - I wont spoil it

No, I'm talking about this one.
>Martin Banks is just a normal guy who has made an abnormal discovery: he can manipulate reality, thanks to reality being nothing more than a computer program. With every use of this ability, though, Martin finds his little “tweaks” have not escaped notice. Rather than face prosecution, he decides instead to travel back in time to the Middle Ages and pose as a wizard. What could possibly go wrong? An American hacker in King Arthur’s court, Martin must now train to become a full-fledged master of his powers, discover the truth behind the ancient wizard Merlin…and not, y’know, die or anything.

Here is the link to the kindle version - https://www.amazon.com/Magic-2-0-3-Book-Series/dp/B00TP1RYO0/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1487251391&sr=1-5&keywords=magic+2.0

Here is the link to the first book in physical form - https://www.amazon.com/Off-Be-Wizard-Magic-2-0/dp/1612184715/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1487251391&sr=1-3&keywords=magic+2.0

I like the Kindle in Motion version of Off to be the Wizard

The Magic 2.0 series is definitely in the YA heap, but I thought all of the books were pretty entertaining. First is the best - "Off to Be the Wizard" - and it's on kindle unlimited.

One book that i didnt see mentioned in a casual skim of the posts is Off to be the Wizard
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Off-Be-Wizard-Magic-2-0/dp/1612184715

A very silly series where a modern day guy ends up in an alternate dimension where he can do magic/control the world via programming. Super light reads, fun and funny, and pulls in your computer interest. If you enjoy the first one, you can pick up the others.

If you want something a bit meatier, check out some Douglas Hofstadter.

Le Ton Beau de Marot (it's in English) is about the process and problems of translating languages, and makes surprisingly good bathroom reading because the chapters are short. He starts the scope small, talking about whether to focus on literal meaning or the spirit of the words, and then brings in more concepts like artificial constraints (poetry, or even writing without certain letters, for one example). It is philosophical, informative, and amusing. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B012HVQ1R0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_L2sgAbDYFK1XK

He also wrote Godel Escher Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0465026567/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_b3sgAbQ79TTGS better writers than I have written reviews (this one is from Amazon)

>Twenty years after it topped the bestseller charts, Douglas R Hofstadter's Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid is still something of a marvel. Besides being a profound and entertaining meditation on human thought and creativity, this book looks at the surprising points of contact between the music of Bach, the artwork of Escher, and the mathematics of Gödel. It also looks at the prospects for computers and artificial intelligence (AI) for mimicking human thought. For the general reader and the computer techie alike, this book still sets a standard for thinking about the future of computers and their relation to the way we think.

I'd like to see the Magic 2.0 series from Scott Meyer or Spellsinger from Alan Dean Foster, but the latter would take a ton of CGI. I've always thought Thieves World would make an interesting translation to TV, a shared world, but each director gets to do their episode from a different viewpoint.

Opening a permanent portal to an alternate dimension that resembles the past of our own dimension isn't really opening a portal to the past. It is opening a portal to a different dimension that resembles, but is not, our own.

This resembles "Off to be the Wizard" by Scott Mayer.

So it doesn't really affect our past. What the time travelers find is that whatever they do in the past, it has no affect on the future, since the past and the future are different dimensions.

https://www.amazon.com/Off-Be-Wizard-Magic-2-0/dp/1612184715

Martin Banks is just a normal guy who has made an abnormal discovery: he can manipulate reality, thanks to reality being nothing more than a computer program. With every use of this ability, though, Martin finds his little “tweaks” have not escaped notice. Rather than face prosecution, he decides instead to travel back in time to the Middle Ages and pose as a wizard.

What could possibly go wrong?

An American hacker in King Arthur’s court, Martin must now train to become a full-fledged master of his powers, discover the truth behind the ancient wizard Merlin…and not, y’know, die or anything.