This is a great history of free speech, and is specifically really just a history, vs. a coherent philosophical argument about free speech or advocacyThis is a great history of free speech, and is specifically really just a history, vs. a coherent philosophical argument about free speech or advocacy for it. Mostly interesting to me on the time around Gutenberg and the following hundreds of years in Europe. The "social media era" is not really amenable to history (as it's ongoing), and there wasn't enough content for the early history/classical period (although to be fair, free speech was highly limited then...). I'd already studied free speech in the US context from colonial to constitutional period and various legal decisions, but the book does a good job of covering this too....more
A good overview of raising cats/feline lifecycle management. Nothing really unexpected or unconventional, but a well curated selection of comprehensivA good overview of raising cats/feline lifecycle management. Nothing really unexpected or unconventional, but a well curated selection of comprehensive advice....more
Really good early history of infosec, ok but not great more recent (post 2000?) history and current state of infosec. The mainframe, Orange Book/rainbReally good early history of infosec, ok but not great more recent (post 2000?) history and current state of infosec. The mainframe, Orange Book/rainbow book/etc. era was well covered, although it might have been better with more context for how the systems were used, non-computing systems they were replacing, etc. Probably a broad enough topic that the ideal book would be focused on a specific era, more deeply covered, as part of a series?
The author was generally correct that most computer security measures have been ineffective, badly measured, etc. Exactly why that is would probably again be better addressed in detail. Not totally on-board with his proposed solutions....more
This is a great book which probably belongs with The Sovereign Individual and a few others as the best way to prepare for the new social structures ofThis is a great book which probably belongs with The Sovereign Individual and a few others as the best way to prepare for the new social structures of the 21st century and beyond. Balaji covers the history of the nation state, the current tripolar politics of the world (China/CCP authoritarianism, NYT/elites led US and other Western institutions and their fracturing unity, the world of cryptoanarchy), and proposes a new solution -- the network state, which is an overlay/parallel society with a clear growth path from startup to something recognized to at least some degree by existing states.
What I particularly like about the network state model is it can be incrementalist -- a small group can form a "startup society", then through adoption raise enough funds to purchase physical property in various places, then get different types of formal recognition by existing entities (which could be as simple as free trade zone type status, or charter city, or task/infrastructure specific grants, or as expansive as some kind of formal near-peer diplomatic recognition).
Lots of small criticisms. There was probably 10-20% too much NYT/Taylor Lorenz specific hate in the middle section, and the distinction between true cryptoanarchy (which he didn't fully describe) and his proposed "network state" wasn't as clear as it should have been (which I think is due to there not being a huge distinction to be made between them). Seasteading as a whole got only a passing mention, along with historical/failed "microstate" projects -- Seasteading at least seems viable and probably has plenty to offer in the network state world. And, asymmetry of force options would potentially make city states or microstates viable -- if someone has WMD/MAD capability, he doesn't need a huge nation (decentralized, in the case of a network state) to protect a small territory.
Overall, a thought provoking book, and an interesting way to think about the future....more
A very engaging introduction for the non-professional to the fascinating world of drug discovery. Uses historical examples (insulin, penicillin, etc.)A very engaging introduction for the non-professional to the fascinating world of drug discovery. Uses historical examples (insulin, penicillin, etc.) and also has a good framework for the different categories (botanical, chemical, etc.) of drugs. The most interesting part, however, is that it's written by someone who is actually an expert in the drug discovery field himself, and he includes personal experiences, plus a more nuanced view of FDA and the regulatory/compliance process than usually found....more
Interesting study of colors through history (largely painter's pigments, etc.) used to illustrate other historical trends. Good writing and concept, bInteresting study of colors through history (largely painter's pigments, etc.) used to illustrate other historical trends. Good writing and concept, but not really detailed enough or comprehensive enough to be a favorite. Interested in the writer's other books (fabrics, etc.) covered in a similar way. Did succeed in making me want to buy some historical pigments rather than off-the-shelf paints, though....more
Great retrospective on WW2 (and specifically, Army operations in the European Theater of Operations) -- mostly focused on how the US forces learned asGreat retrospective on WW2 (and specifically, Army operations in the European Theater of Operations) -- mostly focused on how the US forces learned as they went, created new strategies, overcame challenges, etc. Interesting deep dive on things like fighting in the Normandy Bocage (and how different units developed different strategies), forest fighting, combined arms, the Army's replacement system, etc. Some contrasts at the end with German and Russian solutions to similar problems....more
Great history of Venture Capital, focused on technology and Silicon Valley, but with coverage of the adventures of these funds outside Silicon Valley Great history of Venture Capital, focused on technology and Silicon Valley, but with coverage of the adventures of these funds outside Silicon Valley as well. I wasn't as familiar with the early stages (Arthur Rock, who funded Intel and Apple), how changes in tax laws (ERISA/etc.) affected venture, and some of the origins of now-standard provisions like the 20% carry (an accident of 20% on an early deal).
As it moved closer to current times, there were perhaps more divisive takes on major firms, founders vs. VCs, etc. (the Uber and WeWork episodes, particularly), but from my experience as an entrepreneur originally in Silicon Valley, it's pretty accurate and mainstream-accepted (e.g. that Softbank was a money-flood, and that Benchmark was more cautious than others, and that KPCB basically doomed themselves.)
Overall, unclear who this book is really useful for (things change too quickly for this to be super useful to entrepreneurs raising from funds); maybe useful for historical interest, or people trying to replicate Silicon Valley success elsewhere, or perhaps new VCs? I did really enjoy it, though, and it's probably best as an argument for VC vs. other forms of funding, and for the inherent benefits of the capitalist system....more
This is the bank robbery gone wrong which brought the patrol rifle to police cars nationwide.
Some crazy people needed money, so they decided to rob a This is the bank robbery gone wrong which brought the patrol rifle to police cars nationwide.
Some crazy people needed money, so they decided to rob a bank. A plan heavy on weapons (decent long guns, some explosives), which Murphy decided to ruin (diversionary device failed and was disabled; someone randomly spotted them going into the bank), and they doubled down on ultraviolence.
Police were individually brave but woefully underequipped. Going up against a team using rifles and explosives when you're armed with revolvers and shotguns with buckshot -- ouch. Bad guys did a few things well -- fire superiority, executing a hasty ambush -- and got lucky a few times. One sheriff's deputy showed up with an M-16 and saved things from complete disaster. Eventually, overwhelming numbers are brought to bear and victory, but at a high cost.
Very engaging narration of the events. Generally don't like "true crime" at all, but this was a play by play of a dynamic and exciting situation....more
This is probably the best book on international relations yet written. Mearsheimer became more famous recently from his "Why Ukraine is the West's FauThis is probably the best book on international relations yet written. Mearsheimer became more famous recently from his "Why Ukraine is the West's Fault" lecture from 2015, and is one of the leading "realist" thinkers in international relations. In this book he develops a framework for why countries engage in warfare (essentially active defense), analyzes the past 500 years of great power interactions, and makes predictions for Europe and Asia with respect to the US, Russia, and China. Ultimately it's a fairly depressing book -- conflict being inevitable, and actions the US has taken with respect to Russia and China being exactly what we shouldn't have done, leading to predictable consequences....more
A selection of short snippets (1-4 sentences) by Hemingway on the topic of writing, divided into a few broad categories by chapter ("other writers", "A selection of short snippets (1-4 sentences) by Hemingway on the topic of writing, divided into a few broad categories by chapter ("other writers", "work habits" etc.). Good, but too brief to be satisfying. Does make me want to read Green Hills of Africa, from which a lot of the more interesting parts are taken. (Incidentally, love visiting Hemingway's house in Key West; would love to visit the one in Cuba someday. Many cats!)...more
A short Audible story by a journalist who is the son of a WW2 Pacific veteran. Dislike that it was basically repackaged content from his previous bookA short Audible story by a journalist who is the son of a WW2 Pacific veteran. Dislike that it was basically repackaged content from his previous book about identifying another casualty from the Pacific and retelling that story in the context of his father's traumatic brain injury behavior, although the basic story here is worthwhile. Pretty amazing that TBI (which is finally something of serious concern to doctors, if not yet in broader culture) was essentially ignored for so long. I'd probably skip this book and just read the author's "Bringing Mulligan Home" instead....more
Maybe 3.5? Had some decent history about rum in the Caribbean, then some less-interesting material about specific rum cocktails and the progression ofMaybe 3.5? Had some decent history about rum in the Caribbean, then some less-interesting material about specific rum cocktails and the progression of rum in the US, but seemed pretty well researched and without a lot of filler....more
Economic history of the "long 20th century" from 1870 to 1910, told in a very approachable, narrative-focused way. Largely told as the conflict betweeEconomic history of the "long 20th century" from 1870 to 1910, told in a very approachable, narrative-focused way. Largely told as the conflict between Hayek/free markets and Karl Polanyi (who questions economic value), moderated and tempered by Keynes, but also describing major technological and historical events in an economic context (industrial revolution, divergence between global north and south, colonialism, nationalism and wars...) I'm far more libertarian/free marker focused than the author, but I recognize mine isn't a mainstream position, especially among people who have worked for Clinton's administration, and he's far more accepting or tolerant of socialism than I am, but it's a great book and raises lots of great questions, provides answers well-grounded in facts to many of them, and is easy to read....more
Read this on recommendation from Noah Smith, and it was probably the best book about Asian development and industrial policy that I've ever read. I doRead this on recommendation from Noah Smith, and it was probably the best book about Asian development and industrial policy that I've ever read. I don't agree with government management in all cases, but it's pretty clearly and convincingly argued that different levels of government policy involvement make sense in different places and phases of national development.
Using the examples of major countries in Asia (Vietnam being tragically the only forgotten one), the argument is made that a few things counter to libertarian orthodoxy make sense:
0) Land reform; distribute land to the people actually using it, vs. large estateholders. Generally the moral basis of initial land ownership in undeveloped countries is far from the libertarian ideal. There are practical arguments for land reform independent of moral -- it removes the issue from the toolkit of communists and other evil forces -- and can be done in relatively non-destructive ways.
1) Initially, "Gardening" or "family cultivation" level agricultural production, to increase total output and keep people employed. While it's less productive per person-hour invested, it produces more total food, and early in development there's a surplus of labor. Producing the maximum food output (using domestic inputs) is more important than maximizing efficiency.
2) As industrialization proceeds, shift agriculture to greater efficiency, and shift labor to export-focused industries. The key insight in the book (and something I'd not thought of) is that "export discipline" lets the country avoid most "planned economy" pitfalls -- you use the international market to keep local firms efficient and honest, rather than domestic command economy (which would at best be decisions by government lacking complete information, is more often incompetent local decisions, and sadly often corruption domestic and international.
4) Avoid the standard international push for unregulated financial markets, unrestricted FDI until a reasonable level of development has been reached.
The winning examples (Korea, Japan) vs. the losers (Philippines and Southeast Asia generally) are used to explain these principles. Overall, a pretty solid argument. There is some ambiguity around when this kind of policy stops working (and when more free market policies make sense), but in general the argument against universal economic policies for all places and all times seems to be convincing....more
Frank Herbert, mostly known for Dune, wrote a couple of amazing (but too short) novellas from the most mundane premise possible -- library administratFrank Herbert, mostly known for Dune, wrote a couple of amazing (but too short) novellas from the most mundane premise possible -- library administrators dealing with accounting auditors. It seems vaguely like Asimov's Foundation. Given the really boring premise, the plot, characters, etc. end up really engaging....more
A great book about banking for the low to middle end of the retail individual market, mainly in the US -- history generally, regulation, how it has evA great book about banking for the low to middle end of the retail individual market, mainly in the US -- history generally, regulation, how it has evolved, specific problems, alternative platforms, and potential future directions. Author is sort of leftist, but the book is still accurate and relatively non-partisan. Makes an excellent argument for postal banking. Sadly this was written before crypto/defi really was a thing -- which would also be a viable option today and in the near future....more
Well-written collection of "white collar advertising executive and retired Marine officer takes random blue-collar jobs" experiences. He went for someWell-written collection of "white collar advertising executive and retired Marine officer takes random blue-collar jobs" experiences. He went for some "teenager jobs" (which are sadly actual long-term jobs for adults now, too) at an ice cream shop, burger fast food place, pizza delivery, medical tech in an emergency room, construction labor, etc. Surprisingly, he failed to get hired by a number of companies (presumably due to presumed overqualification) - he missed out on big box retail and some big national chains.
The conclusion was him taking a much more genteel job at a "dude ranch" outfit and then scamming/loafing his way to success, which I guess is a fitting end.
The interesting part for me was basically "squared away person takes a job normally held by underclass", and seeing how much poverty itself causes people to have problems, vs. work conditions, vs. sorting effects of people into careers/jobs in the first place. Inconclusive; I think the main lesson is that it's amazing how large scale American capitalism manages to dumb down jobs to the point where they require no skill, but also those same jobs punish anyone trying to do better....more
I loved the first half of this book -- an amazing story of someone inspiring and pro-science saving the world. Maybe lacking in dramatic tension if itI loved the first half of this book -- an amazing story of someone inspiring and pro-science saving the world. Maybe lacking in dramatic tension if it had continued with that direction, but there was plenty of "men vs. the world" potential. Unfortunately, about halfway through, it took a turn and became a more political/economic diatribe-heavy, prepper-post-apocalypse story with more "thriller" intrigue. Still good, but not something exceptional or inspiring. Hopefully book 2 and 3 in the series will return to the more inspiring and interesting arc....more
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