Book 33. To live each day to the fullest, as if praying to God, and to fulfill the mission given to me in this life and this lifetime. (Updated 2026.05.09)

Hello. This is β (Beta). Today's theme is "Living as if praying to God." Praying to God. Hmm. In universal heroic tales, even in content like manga, there are often scenes where characters pray before battle. The act of praying to God before combat helps them compose themselves, perform their routines, boost morale, and defeat one formidable enemy after another—this is a highlight of such heroic tales and manga.

When we pray to God, we pray to various deities specializing in different areas, such as those for passing exams, safe childbirth, or traffic safety, and we visit these shrines to offer our prayers. For me personally, I pray to God during times of crisis or when I achieve success, so I understand that I pray to God in special circumstances that are different from the usual.

What does it mean to live as if praying to God? It's an eternal question.

Now, Max Weber has a classic work called "The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism," which has been translated into Japanese and published by Iwanami Bunko. This book deals with the same kind of awareness as living in prayer to God.

These Protestants have dedicated their lives to working tirelessly in order to glorify God. The fruits of their work are seen as service to God, and this is why Protestants have produced so many of America's leading billionaires. In this way, the social act of working itself has improved society and helped many people. In other words, work has been about serving the people of society.

I think that if you work 8 hours a day, 250 days a year, that amounts to 2000 hours of work per year. It's funny how things work; not just in this job, but for families with children, there's a natural upper limit to how much you can work. In other words, anything beyond 2000 hours of full-time work is spent on family and leisure.

I believe that if you want to achieve great success, you should work 1.5 times the 2000 hours of full-time work, which is 3000 hours. This is because the sheer volume of work increases compared to 2000 hours of full-time work, and through a synergistic effect, a person's skills and knowledge related to their work improve exponentially, leading to a significant increase in productivity.

The saying "strike while the iron is hot" means that working hard when you're young will pay off later on. For example, let's say you work three jobs and work 4000 hours a year, which is double the 2000 hours of full-time work. The calculation is that 8 hours x 250 days = 2000 hours, so you just need to work 16 hours a day, or 16 hours x 250 days = 4000 hours.

In that case, the biggest enemy is depression. Because having a poor mental state and damaging your physical health is the biggest waste of time. I myself currently want to work 12 hours a day, 365 days a year, for over 4000 hours.

Ultimately, in this world, quantity over quality is more important. If you do a lot of work, the quality will improve, and if you maintain the quantity even as the quality improves, the quality and productivity of your work will continue to rise. Instead of viewing work as just work, if you approach it with a playful or hobby-like attitude, you can enjoy work like a game.

Given the prevailing academic norms that view work as a source of suffering, it's difficult to handle demanding tasks like working 12 hours a day. As long as you perceive work as painful, you'll eventually fail and have to quit.

Now, returning to the main topic, what does it mean to live as if praying to God? In the world 100 or 200 years ago, when Protestantism was on the rise, there was nothing like the RPGs (role-playing games) on video games. I think that back then, some kind of motivation was necessary to be enthusiastic about one's work.

While some working adults today may enjoy their jobs as if they were games, it's likely that very few people viewed work in that way 100 or 200 years ago. Therefore, I believe that people achieved a certain level of social success by praying to God and working with the intention of serving Him.

To live as if praying to God. In other words, by working diligently every day, being grateful for the fruits of that work, and expressing gratitude to my family every day, I may have been able to live a life that was like praying to something vague like God.

I want to live each day to the fullest, as if praying to God, and live each day with gratitude, fulfilling the role, my mission, that has been given to me in this life, knowing that I don't know when my life will end. What do you, the readers, think?

That's all. Thank you for your continued support. This was β.

Book 32. Ways to make money from a blog include advertising revenue, tips (donations), merchandise sales (e-books), and selling the blog itself to companies, etc.

Hello. This is β (Beta). Today's topic is about ebooks. Ebooks are digital textbooks, and I'm thinking of selling these ebooks for 100 yen each.

Because it's digital, there are no stamp duty costs, and you can sell it in large quantities without incurring additional costs. The reason why ebooks are good is that there's no need to print and distribute them on paper, saving you money. Of course, there are no shipping costs either. And no labor costs either.

I think this is a huge advantage. Because books that would cost 1,000 or 2,000 yen as physical books can be sold at a cheap price of essentially 100 yen as ebooks. Of course, you have to pay a commission to the platform that sells the ebooks, but even that commission is only 20% or 30%, so you can still sell them at an affordable price.

The reason I'm selling an ebook for 100 yen is because I'm free to set the price, and that's the price I want to sell it for. I also plan to use the internet to gather a lot of information about ebooks in the future, so I'd like to post about that on my blog as well.

I've been running this blog for about two years now. This blog is primarily a research blog. As part of that, I'd like to share useful information such as life lessons and know-how.

The only thing I can say is that I would like to include ebooks as part of my revenue, but once I make a certain amount of profit, I would like to donate the rest to charity. Ebooks are one of the things I would like to try, but since I have always read physical books, I would like to buy a device like Amazon's Kindle that allows me to read ebooks in the future.

Regarding ebooks, I'd like to share various things, from activity reports to know-how. In reality, I think earning the first revenue is the most difficult part. I started blogging seriously in 2017, so I've enjoyed it quite a bit over the past nine years, up to the present day in 2026.

During those nine years, there was a five-year gap where I took a break from writing blog posts. Ultimately, I think there are several ways to make money from blogging, such as advertising revenue, donations, merchandise sales (e-books), and selling the blog itself to companies.

I plan to monetize my blog using Amazon affiliate programs. I will be selling ebooks based on this blog. Ultimately, after 10 years of blogging, I've realized that it's difficult to achieve significant revenue without continuing a blog for about 10 years. I suppose skilled bloggers can start earning money from their first year.

Although it's been a grueling nine years, I've gained invaluable experience. There's a Chinese proverb that says, "If you learn to fish, you'll be happy for life." I intend to continue writing, like this blog, for the next five, ten years, and beyond, as long as my life continues.

That's all. Thank you for listening. This is β. See you again.

Book 31. In proof by contradiction that √2 is an irrational number, if √2 were a rational number, then that rational number would be uk/2t²

 Hello. This is β (Beta). This time, I'd like to write about proof by contradiction. I'll be quoting from "Proving the world's most beautiful mathematical formula, e^(iπ)=-1".

"√2 is not an irrational number."

√2 = m/n ...① (m and n have no common divisors other than 1). Multiply both sides by n and square.

2n² = m² ...②. m² is a multiple of 2. If m is not a multiple of 2, then m² cannot be a multiple of 2.

m is a multiple of 2.

m = 2k (where k is an integer) ...③. Substitute this into ②.

2n² = 4k². n² = 2k², and n² is a multiple of 2.

n is also a multiple of 2...④. From ③ and ④.

m and n have 2 as a common divisor. This contradicts statement ①.

√2 is an irrational number. (Quoted from the above book)

From here on, these are my ideas. In conclusion, the point that m and n have no common divisors other than 1 is that m and n are relatively prime, that is, m and n are prime numbers or relatively prime composite numbers. In other words, from here on, we will consider cases other than when m and n are prime numbers or other cases where they have no common divisors other than 1.

Furthermore, if √2 can be a rational number, then √2 = (uk)/(2t²). In other words, if √2 can be a rational number, then √2 = composite number / (2 x squared expression).

The assumption that m and n have no common divisors other than 1 is based on the assumption that m and n are prime numbers, isn't it? Now, if we replace n and m with N and M, and set N=n/t and M=m/u, then by proof by contradiction we can see that √2=(uk)/(2t²) is a rational number equal to √2.

The equation √2=m/n assumes that both the numerator and denominator are prime numbers. However, if √2 is a rational number, then we can see that uk is a composite number and 2t² is a squared expression. The method for finding √2=(uk)/(2t²) will be explained in detail later. (Life Lessons).

Find the value of √2 as a continued fraction close to (uk)/(2t²). (Visual confirmation)

Book 30. A 20x giver! If you consistently split the bill in roughly a 5:95 ratio, you'll be welcomed wherever you go

Hello. This is Beta from the R86plusA blog. I'm interested in the distribution system that exists in human society. In human society, the share is often taken by the organizer, the person who hosted the event.

I know people who split the bill in a way that's close to a 5:5 or 4:6 split. The important thing is that when you split the bill, it feels fair. If it's 8:2 or 9:1, dissatisfaction will naturally arise. No matter how excellent a company is, I believe that companies that hoard profits and don't distribute them to many people will decline.

I believe splitting the bill is fair. This is because it allows the other party in a transaction to know that they are on equal footing. However, even when we say "equal," I think it's often asymmetrical. In other words, instead of playing the same role and doing the same amount of work, each person has a role to play—this person contributes labor, this person contributes money, and so on. In a cooperative relationship, each person naturally brings out their own strengths.

Lately, I've been reading a book called "Lectures on Celestial Mechanics" by C.L. Siegel, J.K. Moser, et al. If we were to read this book collaboratively, we would need to assign specific pages and sections to each person and fulfill our respective roles. One person might cover the first 50 pages, and another the 50th to 100th pages, but there are many other ways we could cooperate. We could teach each other the parts we understand, and the possibilities are endless.

The lectures on celestial mechanics are a book I find incomprehensible, but they begin by describing a special method of differentiation called the Lagrange multiplier method. Many people may get stuck at that point, so if I have the opportunity, I would like to help everyone by explaining the Lagrange multiplier method.

I'm also a bit of an unusual person, studying quantum mechanics and celestial mechanics, but with a little ingenuity, even books that seem difficult to me can be read. Since we were talking about splitting the bill, I'd like to give you a small gift.

When reading, imagining drawing diagonal lines between words makes it easier to understand. It's surprising how much easier it becomes to read just by quickly drawing diagonal lines between words. I know that celestial mechanics is one of the most difficult subjects in academics, so I remember being very happy when I came up with this slash reading method.

It makes me happy to see people move on to the next stage of their lives with their inherent optimism and determination, and I remember feeling that same sensation when I read using this slash reading technique. I believe that by learning about slash reading, you too can take a step towards the next stage with your own inherent optimism and determination.

Now, regarding the shares, I think 5:95 is not bad. 5:95 means giving almost 20 times your share. In other words, you are a 20x giver, and in this case, since I didn't receive anything from the readers for teaching slash reading, I think I achieved a 20x gift by teaching them about slash reading.

I don't need anything in return. All I'd really appreciate is a simple click on an ad I put on my blog. After all, I believe gifts are very important in human society. When you receive a lot of things, people are watching to see if you can generously share them with others.

I'm the type of person who gives presents, and I don't receive many, but I know how happy it makes me when I do. In fact, I often give material gifts, like sweets, and the recipients often show their thoughtfulness and consideration through their gifts.

While I'm currently offering slash reading as a gift, even just celestial mechanics is an extremely complex subject, and I think mastering it is incredibly difficult.

Furthermore, if I were to offer a gift to my readers, I would like to include an article explaining how to solve problems using the Lagrange multiplier method, specifically this special method for solving differential equations, if you purchase this book on celestial mechanics and study with me.

Ultimately, society is a reciprocal, gift-giving society. Even considering employment alone, being employed by a company can be seen as a cooperative relationship between someone who gives their labor as a gift and someone who gives their salary as a gift.

I am writing this article on April 14, 2026. The number 14 is very important to me. I won't go into personal reasons, but I believe it is a number related to God. As God's number. However, I am very glad that I was able to write about the subject of celestial mechanics lectures, which is a mysterious area for me, on this day, the 14th.

The next installment of this article will be an explanation of the Lagrange multiplier method, a truly essential technique. That's all for now.

If you consistently split the bill in roughly a 5:95 ratio, you'll be welcomed wherever you go. Don't think of it as a one-time cooperative act, but rather as a cooperative act that happens dozens or even hundreds of times. Even if your share is 5%, you'll have the opportunity to earn dozens or even hundreds of times that amount. More than that, I believe you'll be valued and treated with great respect by your friends.

That's all. Today, I taught you about slash reading. I don't want to sound condescending, so I'll stop here. Thank you for listening. This was β. See you next time. α.

Book 29. A person who is a manager. What is its purpose? It is the purpose of management to keep asking this question.

 Hello. β (beta). This time, I would like to write about the profession of manager.

When you think of a manager, you may think of a middle manager, but management can be said to be the president's job. Furthermore, it is the job of a manager. The most important thing in my job is to observe management.

When it comes to management, it seems that it is normal for middle managers to give instructions and subordinates to act according to instructions. In order for a subordinate to be a subordinate, a boss must be a boss. In order for a subordinate to surpass his subordinates, he must surpass his superiors and exceed his superiors' instructions.

The boss's accurate instructions motivate and motivate the subordinates, but the boss must take responsibility for the actions of the subordinates. The actions of subordinates must reflect the instructions of their superiors, but they must also be able to act beyond subordinates. Only when a subordinate quits a subordinate can he succeed as a manager.

However, raising subordinates is difficult, and the will of the boss must be reflected. Otherwise, they will lead their subordinates to a difference in direction, a dichotomy, and even self-destruction. Raising subordinates means going beyond subordinates, beyond superiors, and increasing autonomy to the point where they understand the boss's wishes.

In order for a subordinate to be a subordinate, he must become the boss's right-hand man, the boss's shield, and the boss's spear, and bring him to a state where there is no contradiction. If I were the boss, the instructions I give to my subordinates are a general agreement, not a detailed process.

A rough agreement is enough to communicate with subordinates on a regular basis, and more importantly, there is a relationship of trust, but I don't think a boss who ends at a detailed process will never be a big success. It can be said that it is the duty of the boss to fulfill his responsibilities in an emergency, just as the boss is the boss, without imposing responsibility on the subordinates.

I wrote that when a subordinate quits a subordinate, it is a great achievement as a manager, but I think one theme can be what happens to the subordinate or the boss when the boss quits the boss. The boss cannot surpass the boss.

Because the boss is only the boss. Beyond that, when you quit your boss, your organization will be automated. Autonomous forces work in the organization, and the organization becomes an organization beyond the organization. Even without a boss, the organization is formed into a state of activation.

One of the points of achievement as a boss is when you quit your boss and automate the organization. That is one of the points to achieve, and it is something that every good manager has tried. What goes beyond that point and now goes beyond that is to create a new organization.

When you automate your organization beyond your boss, the new challenge will be to shape a new organization. This emphasis is the original job of the manager, and it can be said that it is the reason for the existence of the manager to be a manager.

If I were to become a manager, it would be said that management is to shape a new culture, civilization, or world, and to be a part of the wheel of it. The reason why I think this part is important is that as we move into a new era, society will become more sophisticated and shape a new era.

Each organization does not exist from the beginning, but when an organization is established, its dynamics lead to an automated mechanism. On the basis of an automated system without a founder and manager, the dynamics of the founder and manager will turn in a new direction to create a new organization.

And if the new organization is automated, it is the original role of the manager to steer the foundation and training of the new organization. The role of the manager is never to make the organization bigger. It is the role of executives and bureaucracy to make the organization bigger.

Beyond that, managers create something out of nothing. It can be said that the creation of new things is the responsibility of the manager, whether it is an organization or a product. Originally, the manager should be the boss.

When a subordinate quits a subordinate, the subordinate becomes the boss. When the subordinate becomes a boss, he needs to quit his boss. It is the responsibility of the boss to give autonomy to his subordinates, transfer responsibilities, and form an autonomous organization.

If you get to that point, leaving the rest to the younger generation and moving to a new organization is proof of your existence as a manager. I think that a manager is a manager. In order to become a manager beyond a manager, the main focus is on mastering the realm of creation beyond several processes.

A person who is a manager. What is the purpose? There is no chance of winning for managers who do not see their purpose or for the organization. What is the purpose? It is the purpose of management to keep asking this question. And that's it. Thank you for your growth. It was β.

Book 28. For emerging companies like those on social media, most of their value lies in their brand, making it an interesting strategy to sell them at a price far below their actual share price.

Hello, this is Beta. The current investment environment (March 27, 2026) is excellent, with the Nikkei Stock Average rising and reaching a new all-time high. My previous article suggested that the investment environment might be outdated, but this article will discuss what you should invest in.

When you start a company and take it public, you can aim for profits from selling the shares by making them available on the market. If you own a majority of the shares, you have the right to dissolve the company through voting rights, and you can make decisions regarding the disposal of assets.

I know that in traditional business practices, owning a majority of shares and circulating a large number of those shares on the market allows for significant capital gains, or profits from selling. In this act of holding shares, the company as an asset definitely exists, and then the goodwill of the brand is added to it.

Owning shares in a company means you own a portion of that company's assets through your share allocation. For example, if a company has a building worth 10 billion yen, that asset is included in the market capitalization of the company's shares.

Now, consider the case of an industrial company going public. The company's owner owns a majority of the shares and releases the remaining shares onto the market. In return, they receive a large profit from the sale.

This raises a question. What if the shares traded on this market were sold not at their market value, but at a price far below half of that value? In the case of an industrial company, the portion sold at a price lower than the market value probably doesn't include much goodwill, which is the brand, but rather is likely compensated for by fixed assets such as factories, equipment, and buildings.

In other words, in industrial companies with little goodwill, selling shares at a price lower than the actual share price is treated the same as transferring actual fixed assets to the buyer free of charge.

On the other hand, for companies with high goodwill, such as IT companies, selling shares at a price lower than the actual share price may attract many buyers. This is because the portion of the shares sold at a price far below the actual share price is mostly goodwill and brand value.

For a popular company, if the goodwill portion—for example, the brand value is 10 billion yen and fixed assets such as buildings are also 10 billion yen—it would be interesting to try selling all of the shares, which have a market capitalization of 20 billion yen, for 10 billion yen instead of 20 billion yen.

For emerging companies like those in the social media space industry, the majority of their value lies in their brand and goodwill, so selling their shares at a price far below their actual share price would be an interesting experiment. For example, if you own 100% of the shares and sell 70% for next to nothing, the shares will be offered at a price far below their actual share price, which should attract many buyers.

If they retained their 30%, and the stock price surged by more than 3.3 times, their total shareholding would exceed the original market capitalization. Even the 70% of shares they sold for next to nothing would generate significant surplus profits if the proceeds from the sale were considered part of the company's cash flow. For a social media company, that 70% of shares might be almost entirely brand value. (To be continued)