Rudolf Carnap - An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science
Maybe it didn’t “change my life” but as a physics/math student this was probably the single book that most affected my internal ideology, by simply raising so many questions I hadn’t ever considered (or if I had, it was clumsy and inadequate).
In the book, Gladwell examined how police officers made decisions. He looked at multiple scenarios and broke them down into thin slice moments. I’ve been pulled over seven times since reading that book. I know better about what the police officer may be anticipating , and more about their training. So when they approached my vehicle I watch their body language very carefully, and I remain “as calm as a Hindu cow.” For whatever reason, being extremely calm, and saying nothing unless I’m asked the question, throws them off so much that you can see this doubt come across their face. Like, did I pull the right car over? Did I read that wrong? Basically, teaching me to be extremely aware of the police officers behavior and body language has helped me positively navigate seven traffic stops
The premise was simple: In 1959 a white reporter used makeup to make himself have black skin. He then traveled around the southern USA. Even as a child it was easy to see how people treated him differently even though he was a white man underneath. The racism was undeniable.
Animal Farm, 1984, and Fahrenheit 451 gave me even more reasons to question authority.
not OP but I do wish that the lobster metaphor was the worst part of the book. I think Petereson is a great speaker and he makes interesting points but his writing drags on and on. I could hardly finish the 12 rules of life, although I thoroughly enjoyed his lectures and interviews.
God to agree with the parent, his audio books are excellent. If you like Petersons work and lectures get Maps of Meaning on audio books, it's excellent.
Without any doubt The Art of Doing Science and Engineering by Richard Hamming. I have accomplished more in 5 years after reading it than I did in 15 years before. Much of it I attribute to the change of perspective the book brought about for me and to the fact that I have a vision of my future now. It also helped develop my own style.
Second would be The Language of Mathematics by Baber. As someone who did not do well with math in school or uni but was always good with languages and programming, I have benefited greatly from it by finally “getting” math.
I was Googling your suggestions and found out that Richard Hamming has series of lectures on Youtube. I'm two hours into them and they're excellent. Thanks for your suggestion.
Here's the link for anyone else who might be interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hhXS6cODQg&list=PLctkxgWNSR...
I'll second The Art of Doing Science and Engineering. Oustanding book that covers problem solving approaches, traps to avoid, and how human interactions deal with tech.
Mort, by Pratchett. It is a great introduction to the Discworld and one of my favorite books ever. It is a good read over the holidays and you’ll be thinking about some of the lines in it for years to come.
“ History isn't like that. History unravels gently, like an old sweater. It has been patched and darned many times, reknitted to suit different people, shoved in a box under the sink of censorship to be cut up for the dusters of propaganda, yet it always - eventually - manages to spring back into its old familar shape. History has a habit of changing the people who think they are changing it. History always has a few tricks up its frayed sleeve. It's been around a long time.”
Carlin's hilarious, but it's all an act. Everyone in show business knows that and it's not something to base your life on. If you can find a better way to live, Jesus would be the first person to tell you to go for it. Jordan Peterson did a great series of Biblical lectures you can listen to them on YouTube or Podcast. They were incredible.
On the other hand, if you are not spiritual and somehow feel life is about more... maybe try one of the holy scriptures.
I myself have been profoundly affected by The Bible. It has inspired many people over the centuries and remains the best selling book of all time. It provides innumerable famoous quotes. It's been credited with amazing things.
If that's not your cup of tea, try scripture of a different sort. Religion in general is said to be associated with increased generosity, well being and peace of mind. (Backed by many studies, of course.)
It's by nature a topic fraught with controversy. No matter which scripture you choose, it will be highly offensive to somebody. (But maybe if somebody else knows about it, you may not be doing it right.) You'll never know unless you try. In this day and age, religion is a source of comfort to many.
Maybe I'll live long enough to get religion again? Such possibilities don't trouble me. I suspect 25 years was long enough to absorb most of the valuable lessons, qualities, and comforts available through religion.
Try again, and then again - the layers of meaning in the Bible are profound if you have the intellect to dive into them. It's brilliant in addressing different problems at different stages of life and ultimately about consciousness and something beyond. I'm not advocating it as a belief, just try trusting it and not setting up a straw man. Read "the divine conspiracy" by Dallas Willard or 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson.
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[ 3.3 ms ] story [ 232 ms ] threadMaybe it didn’t “change my life” but as a physics/math student this was probably the single book that most affected my internal ideology, by simply raising so many questions I hadn’t ever considered (or if I had, it was clumsy and inadequate).
Probably the biggest impact a book ever had on me.
oh and The Bible
The premise was simple: In 1959 a white reporter used makeup to make himself have black skin. He then traveled around the southern USA. Even as a child it was easy to see how people treated him differently even though he was a white man underneath. The racism was undeniable.
Animal Farm, 1984, and Fahrenheit 451 gave me even more reasons to question authority.
Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything?
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19087418
Second would be The Language of Mathematics by Baber. As someone who did not do well with math in school or uni but was always good with languages and programming, I have benefited greatly from it by finally “getting” math.
Have heard many good things about the book - curious to get some concrete anecdata
[1] https://www.cs.virginia.edu/~robins/YouAndYourResearch.html
“ History isn't like that. History unravels gently, like an old sweater. It has been patched and darned many times, reknitted to suit different people, shoved in a box under the sink of censorship to be cut up for the dusters of propaganda, yet it always - eventually - manages to spring back into its old familar shape. History has a habit of changing the people who think they are changing it. History always has a few tricks up its frayed sleeve. It's been around a long time.”
To not be off-topic, definitely don't waste your time on his books. They're pretty bad.
I myself have been profoundly affected by The Bible. It has inspired many people over the centuries and remains the best selling book of all time. It provides innumerable famoous quotes. It's been credited with amazing things.
If that's not your cup of tea, try scripture of a different sort. Religion in general is said to be associated with increased generosity, well being and peace of mind. (Backed by many studies, of course.)
It's by nature a topic fraught with controversy. No matter which scripture you choose, it will be highly offensive to somebody. (But maybe if somebody else knows about it, you may not be doing it right.) You'll never know unless you try. In this day and age, religion is a source of comfort to many.
The Guide for the Perplexed by Maimonides
On the Essence of Chassidus by Menachem Mendel Schneersohn