I wonder, dear reader, how you came to be reading this book. Either it’s pure coincidence, or someone recommended it to you, or maybe—and this would definitely be my preferred option—it has already gained some popularity among people. Unless it was the title that lured you. Quite a tempting prospect, isn’t it? Whatever the reason, I’m really happy you’re reading my book because it means that I’ve managed to finish it. This is not that obvious at the current stage of production, with eighty-nine words so far (including “with eighty-nine words so far”). It also means that I found a publisher for it, which is obviously even less obvious. If I’ve been looking for one at all. Enticed by the prospect of making more money, I could have published it myself.

This book tells no story, either made-up or true. So, if light, easily digestible prose is your thing, you might want to consider reading something else. The same goes for anyone looking for quick and easy ways to attain inner harmony, get ahead in business, shed excess pounds, or master three languages in five weeks (or five languages in three weeks)—whether selectively or all at once—with success assured and no effort required. Well, this text might be of some assistance in finding inner peace, but the process isn’t going to be a quick or effortless one. And to the readers who misinterpreted the title, let me tell you right away: This is not a health guide either. Consider yourself warned. I mention all this because every prudent author, before reaching for a pen (or rather for a keyboard), needs to think about the prospective readership. The broader the target, the smaller the risk of missing it—with or without a publisher.

After many conversations in which I indicated what I was going to write about (in a veiled way, of course, camouflaging myself as a potential author), I gained the impression that the topic might be of interest to quite a few people. Not bad so far. On the other hand, consuming the content of this book, not to mention digesting it, requires some intellectual effort that not everyone might be willing to make. Some might even not be able to. We need to bear in mind that a large proportion of Homo sapiens representatives are still at a relatively early stage of development. This is perfectly understandable given the time we’ve had at our disposal. One way or another, the desired broad target can shrink significantly.

Although, perversely, it doesn’t have to be that way. In the seclusion of our minds, the majority of us like to count ourselves as the elite minority able to reason quite efficiently. There is some contradiction here because the majority cannot be a minority, but from a personal perspective everything seems okay. So, dedicating this book to the intellectual cream may prove a clever marketing strategy. I dedicate then, since I consider myself a reasonable author. Let’s do a quick poll now… Bingo! The number of potential readers is heading north again!

An important factor for the success of a book is the author himself. Unfortunately, at least at first glance, the situation here doesn’t appear to be very promising. I cannot boast a particularly rich writing or scientific output. To be perfectly frank, I cannot boast any output. I would like to point out that this is only true of larger literary forms. I regularly do shorter ones, such as emails or text massages. Of course, one could idealistically assume that what is written is more important than who wrote it, but in practice it doesn’t work very well.

To raise my status as an author, let’s provisionally assume that I am the incarnation of Albert Einstein. I have compelling evidence that I am. Reading his famous sayings, I was amazed by how closely they match my own thoughts. Did I get a little too far about that Einstein scenario? Well, with some luck, it’s not entirely out of the question. Besides, this isn’t my idea. About two thousand years ago someone already suggested that the last will be the first and vice versa. I’m going to defend this proposal anyway, albeit from a slightly different position.

There is one more thing to consider. Why should I write this book at all? To make the world a better place? Just kidding; I barely manage to keep my own mental and physical state in check. Besides, global saviors—and local ones too—are a pretty shady bunch of people, occasionally even dangerous. I don’t mean their intentions, which may be noble at times (they don’t necessarily have to be). I am referring to the consequences of their missionary work. In order to make others happy, they propose universal solutions. As much as a cursory observation reveals that everyone has different preferences.

Personal fame, or even a minor popularity, doesn’t appeal to me either. By gaining one or another, you need to have the potential not to derail. I’m not sure I possess a sufficient quantity of it. Once, quite accidentally, I got my room upgraded at a hotel. The new one was located on the top floor, following the rule that the further from the ground, the higher the standard… and the price, of course. On the second day of my stay, I discovered that I enjoy pressing the top button in the hotel elevator. I enjoyed it even more when other passengers, who then got off on the lower floors, observed it. I’m not sure if they knew the floor hierarchy. Maybe at least some of them did?

Okay, let’s say the motive is to share an idea that simply answers some of the questions that have occupied people’s minds since the dawn of time. Why do we live? What’s the point of it all? And a few other thoughts that may be useful in everyone’s lives (plural intentional). On the other hand, how do you know I’m not talking nonsense? What does it matter that I myself am convinced of something? It’s easy to mess with people's heads, especially if there are no consequences. So, being aware of my responsibilities as a writer, I hereby change my motivation. From here on I write just for myself. Should you decide to continue reading, you do so at your own risk.

I also write for myself for purely selfish reasons. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to use my current knowledge in the future. I think I will, but you know how the saying goes—better safe than sorry. If this book happens to be popular, there is a good chance I will stumble upon it somehow. Then it’ll only be up to me to read it and maybe even ponder a little over its content. You, dear reader, also have a choice. A free choice. Oh yeah, you heard (or rather read) it right. FREE CHOICE. Don’t let some wise guys fool you into thinking that free will is an illusion. It isn’t. I’ll tell you more: It is the essence of human existence. Of all the living creatures, only we benefit from this boon, so don’t miss the opportunity, even if it does involve effort, risks and the occasional side effects.

If this book becomes popular, I won’t despise a certain financial bonus resulting from that popularity. I am fully aware that the possession of surplus money invites various risks, such as burglary, ransom kidnapping, or—in the event that no third party is involved—possible destruction, usually mental, of the surplus holder. I will consider it, say, as an interesting experiment to what extent I’m going to be susceptible (or immune) to this destruction. And you, dear reader, can support me in this study. Recommend this book to your family or friends. Or buy another copy for them yourself—they have birthdays and celebrate Christmas, don’t they?