2 x Adams and the Power of the Question
What do an interstellar hitchhiker with a towel (don’t forget: May 25th is Towel Day!) and the founder of the “Inquiry Institute” have in common? At first glance, nothing. At second glance, their surname. And at third glance – and this is where it gets interesting – a deep understanding that the truly important things in life begin with a question.

In The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams sent the supercomputer Deep Thought on a quest for the ultimate question’s answer – only to discover that without the right question, even the most brilliant answer (“42”) is utterly meaningless. Meanwhile, Marilee Adams stayed on Earth and found: If you want to change your life, you don’t need a new answer – you need a new question.

Questions are powerful. They structure our thinking, influence our actions, and often determine the course of our lives. Literature offers countless iconic questions that delve into human existence, philosophy, and society. Marilee Adams builds on this idea in her book Change Your Questions, Change Your Life and applies it to personal and professional growth: The quality of our questions determines the quality of our lives.

The “Right” Questions: The Core of Adams’ Philosophy

Marilee Adams distinguishes fundamentally between two mindsets: the “Judger” and the “Learner.” The “Judger” asks judgmental, limiting questions like: “What’s wrong with me?” or “Why are others so incompetent?” (a transactional analyst would immediately spot the drama triangle at work). The “Learner,” on the other hand, asks: “What can I learn from this?” or “What are my options?” The central thesis of her book is this: If we learn to consciously ask constructive, open, and solution-oriented questions, we can positively transform our thinking, relationships, and lives.

The Ultimate Question: Searching for Meaning in an Absurd Universe

Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy takes us to perhaps the most profound exploration of questions: the “ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything” remains unknown – only the answer is “42.” The punchline is brilliant: An answer without the right question is meaningless. The book satirizes, with biting irony, the absurdity of seeking answers without clarity on the questions themselves.

Here is where science fiction satire meets Marilee Adams’ fundamental insight: It’s not the answers that change our lives – it’s the questions. If we ask the wrong questions (e.g., “What is the meaning of everything?” without context or personal relevance), even seemingly profound answers feel hollow. The “Deep Thought” supercomputer would likely earn Adams’ approval: Only when we truly know what we want to know does it make sense to seek answers.

Conclusion: Questions Are More Than Words – They Are Pathways

Marilee Adams offers her book as a kind of manual for the art of questioning. She shows that it’s not just about what we ask, but how and why we ask. A good question opens doors; a bad one closes them. In this sense, we can reinterpret Hamlet or even Deep Thought – not as victims of their circumstances, but as travelers on a journey toward better questions.

“Two Simple Words Will Change How You Think About Your Entire Life,” promises the book’s cover. I would argue it’s more like four words: Let Them and Let Me – two catchy phrases for emotional self-regulation.

As in her previous work, The 5 Second Rule, Mel Robbins presents a method for self-management. The value of her new book doesn’t lie in the originality of its concept but in the simplicity and affirming power of its key phrases. Instead of relying on complex theories, Robbins uses straightforward guiding words that stick in your mind and are easy to integrate into daily life.

In her typically accessible style, Robbins provides direct instructions and clear advice. Her signature phrase, “Sorry to break it to you…,” exposes excuses and self-deceptions, while humor and motivational anecdotes soften her occasionally evangelical tone and encourage readers to tackle personal challenges.

The “Let Them Theory” is structured into chapters that explore different facets of the topic – from fear of others’ opinions to the desire to change others, to strengthening interpersonal relationships. Robbins provides anecdote-rich insights and simple exercises for self-reflection and behavioral change. She focuses on two essential steps:

1. Let Them: The principle “You cannot change people; they will only change if they want to” promotes a mindset of calm acceptance, embodied in the mantra Let Them. This self-discipline – illustrated with humorous examples of her own inner dialogues – creates the necessary distance to take the second step.
2. Let Me: Allowing others to be themselves creates a space from which we can observe them and choose our response carefully – whether to intervene, accept the situation, or withdraw. In every case, the focus is on self-efficacy and personal responsibility. Through deeply personal examples and simple techniques like the ABC-DE Loop, Robbins explains how Let Me can be implemented constructively. Naturally, the book also addresses the question of how long one should “let someone be” and when it’s time to use Let Me to end a relationship. Here too, Robbins offers a “simple” guiding phrase: “Love the Person, not Their Potential.”

The “Let Them Theory” is a worthwhile guide for anyone seeking practical, immediately applicable ideas to escape feelings of being overwhelmed and return to calm and self-control. While the simplification and branding of concepts are a delicate balancing act, Mel Robbins succeeds in delivering valuable insights without sacrificing entertainment.

This book is an inspiring and motivating call to pursue small but impactful changes in dealing with challenging and stressful circumstances.

In this work, German philosopher and author Markus Gabriel explores what it means to act morally in the face of global challenges. He argues that morality cannot be reduced to rigid rules but firmly believes in the existence of “moral facts” that operate independently of context and are beyond debate. Gabriel critiques both moral relativism and absolute dogmas. Instead, he advocates for “situational universality,” where universal values like justice and solidarity must be applied in specific contexts. The individual’s responsibility, he asserts, must be viewed from a global perspective, particularly regarding consumption habits and climate protection.

Markus Gabriel regards capitalism as still the best path to achieving progress, prosperity, and development. However, he calls for its ethical reform, aiming for moral progress. He engages with the concept of ethical capitalism, which seeks to align economic actions with moral principles:

1. Companies must assume social and ecological responsibility, committing to sustainable and just practices.
2. Economic decisions should adhere to moral standards, such as fair labor conditions, environmental protection, and equitable resource distribution.
3. Consumers bear moral responsibility to support ethical products and businesses that promote sustainability and social justice.

A key theme is the influence of modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence, which raise new ethical questions. Gabriel emphasizes that technologies are not neutral and require ethical reflection.

The core message is a shift in perspective: ethical obligations should not result in restrictive regulations but inspire business models that are both profitable and value-creating. The book is both inspiring and thought-provoking, fostering a sense of optimistic introspection. However, the chapter on practical implementation ideas is somewhat underwhelming and abstract, reflecting Gabriel’s strengths as a philosopher more than as an economist.

The work calls for an ethics that connects individual actions with structural changes. Gabriel’s book invites readers to critically reflect on their own responsibilities and actively contribute to a better world.

Doing Good is an accessible yet profound exploration of modern ethics. It offers a fresh perspective on the possibilities for transforming economy and society while encouraging readers to reconsider their own responsibilities in a globalized world. Despite some questions about practical implementation, the book is a valuable contribution to the current debate on the future of our economic system and democracy.