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| 1439110190
| 9781439110195
| B0006R339M
| 4.19
| 3,205
| Apr 09, 2013
| Jan 01, 1999
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it was amazing
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A Life of Triumph and Tragedy: Marie Arana's "Bolívar" Marie Arana's "Bolívar" is a tour de force, a meticulously researched and captivatingly written A Life of Triumph and Tragedy: Marie Arana's "Bolívar" Marie Arana's "Bolívar" is a tour de force, a meticulously researched and captivatingly written biography of one of history's most enigmatic figures. For anyone uninitiated in South American history, this book serves as an excellent introduction not just to Bolívar's life but also to the complex socio-political landscape of the continent during its struggle for independence. The book's narrative style is a refreshing departure from historical biographies' often dry and factual tone. The author paints a vivid picture of Bolívar's world, capturing the grandeur of his victories and the bitterness of his defeats. Her prose is elegant and accessible, making the book a pleasure to read, even for those with little prior knowledge of the subject. It helps that Bolivar’s life had many extremes that allowed the author to adopt the story-telling mode. One only needs to look at a stark contrast between Bolívar's origins and his final days, highlighting the dramatic arc of his life and legacy. The man who was born in luxuries, once commanded vast armies and liberated nations died impoverished and without almost anyone around. This alone would be sufficient for a storybook, and Bolivar’s had so many ups and downs during his life and later. The book vividly recounts Bolívar's major military campaigns and encounters with allies and adversaries. It describes in detail his victories against Spanish forces, such as the crucial Battle of Boyacá in 1819, which secured the independence of New Granada (modern-day Colombia). Arana also explores Bolívar's complex relationships with other key figures of the independence movement, including Francisco de Paula Santander, his one-time ally who later became a bitter rival, as well as with San Martin and O'Higgins. The book is balanced in its portrayal of Bolívar, highlighting his military genius while acknowledging his flaws and failures. He was a brilliant strategist and a charismatic leader, capable of inspiring his troops to extraordinary feats of courage. However, he was also deeply ambitious, prone to dictatorial tendencies, and often blind to the political realities of the newly independent nations he helped create. The explorations of his struggles with political power are particularly insightful. One learns how his unwavering belief in his destiny led him to make bold and reckless decisions. He was a man of contradictions, a champion of liberty willing to use force to achieve his goals. He kept talking about why he should not be a political administrator with the exact opposite actions. The book also provides a fascinating glimpse into the social and cultural dynamics of colonial South America, particularly the tensions between the Criollos (people of Spanish descent born in the Americas) and the Peninsulares (people born in Spain) at the root of the wars. Bolívar's ability to mobilize the support of the mestizos and Indigenous people was the reason why he came to be seen as a liberator from Spanish oppression. While "Bolívar" is a masterful work, it could have benefited from a deeper exploration of the long-term impact. The author briefly touches on the challenges faced by the newly independent nations, but a more detailed analysis of the forces unleashed by the general with the impact on political instability, economic inequality, and social unrest that plagued South America in the decades after independence would have provided a richer understanding of Bolívar's legacy. Positively, and perhaps not for the book, one could draw a more explicit comparison between the South American independence movements and those in Asia and Africa. The Americas benefited from the unique circumstances that allowed them to achieve independence relatively early, the most important being the absence of strong native royalties and kingdoms, which allowed the influence of Enlightenment ideas and forces of nationalism to be adopted by the highest echelon of society, which was the Criollo elite in South America. Overall, "Bolívar" is a remarkable achievement. Arana has breathed new life into the story of a complex and controversial figure. ...more |
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Aug 30, 2024
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| B093TQWD4Y
| 4.00
| 1,182
| Sep 07, 2021
| Sep 07, 2021
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it was ok
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“The Exponential Age” attempts to capture the transformative power of rapidly advancing technologies. However, the very nature of the book's subject m
“The Exponential Age” attempts to capture the transformative power of rapidly advancing technologies. However, the very nature of the book's subject matter poses a significant challenge: anything written on these fast-moving topics risks becoming outdated almost immediately. And this is precisely the case here. Published in 2021, the book's analysis already feels stale just a few years later, especially in the wake of the groundbreaking developments in generative AI that have since taken center stage. What might have seemed insightful at the time now appears relatively trivial in light of the extraordinary advancements that followed. Perforce, books in this space are most impactful when they focus on enduring themes or philosophical ideas that transcend the specifics of any particular moment in time. Sadly, this book falls short of that mark. The author had an opportunity to explore the nuances of exponential growth, which is never as smooth or predictable as it might seem. A more robust discussion of how technological advancements vary across domains and across times and how these shifts are interrelated could have added much-needed depth. The inherent variability of explosive growth creates unexpected shifts in life’s influencing forces, but the book is almost about the opposite, trying to forecast things that remain the same, whether on jobs, relative power balances, or a score of other topics. For example, the book could have explored the unpredictable nature of institutional power in the face of technological change. During the Arab Spring, it appeared that the rise of social media was ushering in a new era of democratization, undermining state power. Yet, within a few years, we've seen authoritarian regimes harness these very technologies to consolidate control in ways that were unimaginable at the time. This illustrates how fixed views on winners and losers in the technological landscape are prone to rapid obsolescence. Similarly, the book touches on the idea that innovation often springs from small, agile companies rather than established giants. However, it fails to consider how these dynamics could shift, with large corporations potentially dominating in ways that small firms cannot match. This oversight is emblematic of a broader issue: the book rarely ventures beyond the immediate headlines of its time. Instead of offering fresh insights, it often reiterates discussions already well-covered in newspapers and magazines as they appeared back then. For instance, the author discusses the impact on employment or the potential for blockchain to revolutionize in a way that is either trendy or discussed everywhere. Effectively, there's little here that challenges the reader to think differently. The biggest drawback is the conventionality of almost every view—positive and negative. ...more |
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Aug 17, 2024
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Aug 19, 2024
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Aug 20, 2024
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Kindle Edition
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| 1668008203
| 9781668008201
| 1668008203
| 3.69
| 531
| 2024
| Feb 27, 2024
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it was ok
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At best, "Look Again " is a moderately useful exploration and a serviceable reminder of our behavioral blind spots. The book's premise is well-known: w At best, "Look Again " is a moderately useful exploration and a serviceable reminder of our behavioral blind spots. The book's premise is well-known: we all have unconscious biases and habits that can limit our happiness and other emotions. We often overlook the obvious, and a conscious effort to "look again" can yield surprising insights. The author attempts to shed light on these issues, encouraging readers to become more aware of their surroundings and thought processes. At its core, "Look Again" discusses the phenomenon of habituation. This is the well-documented tendency for our responses to stimuli to diminish over time. The authors extrapolate this physiological concept into the broader realm of human behavior and social interactions to conclude that we are inherently susceptible to boredom and require novelty to sustain engagement and excitement. The book's brevity is a weakness. At around 200 pages, it's an accessible read, but this conciseness limits its ability to dive deep into complex topics. The book skims the surface of complex topics like neural plasticity and hedonic adaptation without providing a nuanced understanding of their limitations and controversies. This superficial treatment of the subject matter may leave readers with an oversimplified view of how habituation impacts our lives. The field has some extraordinary books, and amid them, this title is not going to stand on its own as one of the better ones. ...more |
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Aug 13, 2024
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Aug 13, 2024
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Aug 13, 2024
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| 163774241X
| 9781637742419
| 4.35
| 724
| Mar 07, 2023
| Mar 07, 2023
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it was amazing
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"Flowers of Fire" is a powerful book that strikes a delicate balance between addressing the harsh realities faced by Korean women and celebrating the
"Flowers of Fire" is a powerful book that strikes a delicate balance between addressing the harsh realities faced by Korean women and celebrating the recent wave of activism that has swept the nation. The chapters recount brave tales of many a woman who spearheaded the nation’s #MeToo and are causing many others to come forward. Some of the episodes, like the “Escape the Corset” movement, are particularly remarkable for the innovativeness of their activists. The author's approach is both informative and inspiring, as she combines personal narratives to explain the socio-political struggles faced by Korean women and what made some of them courageously decide to fight against them. Each chapter offers a window into the lives of women who refuse to be silenced. Anyone pining for such activism, and those are the only folks who will read the book after picking it up based on the description, is unlikely to be disappointed. This book delivers exactly what it promises. What truly sets Flowers of Fire apart is the optimism it offers to global activists. The rapid successes of Korean women, despite the entrenched norms they’re up against, serve as a beacon of hope for social justice movements worldwide. The author details how the anti-spycam movement led to significant legal reforms and increased public awareness, demonstrating the tangible impact of these efforts. Of course, there is a lot more to be done in Korea, too. Still, it is heartening to see the spread of the movement against centuries-old habits and norms so quickly. Flowers of Fire is a book for anyone interested in social justice in any aspect. From the fight against digital sex crimes to the push for better representation in politics, the book illustrates how Korean women are reshaping their society, offering a blueprint for activists worldwide. ...more |
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Aug 07, 2024
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Aug 09, 2024
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Aug 11, 2024
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| B0D7SHXLPK
| 4.54
| 3,023
| Nov 26, 2020
| Apr 09, 2024
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it was amazing
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A Masterful Chronicle of Indonesia's Journey to Independence and Its Global Significance In "Revolusi," David Van Reybrouck delivers a tour de force th A Masterful Chronicle of Indonesia's Journey to Independence and Its Global Significance In "Revolusi," David Van Reybrouck delivers a tour de force that illuminates the often-overlooked saga of Indonesian independence, often overshadowed in Western historical narratives. This meticulously researched and compellingly narrated work serves as a crucial reminder that the story of Indonesia's struggle for freedom and identity deserves far more attention than it has traditionally received in Western historical discourse. DVR’s narrative begins with the early days of Dutch colonialism, tracing the evolution of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) from a powerful trading entity to a de facto political master. One learns how the VOC, driven by profit and backed by military might, gradually expanded its control over the islands, transforming disparate kingdoms and sultanates into a unified colonial territory. This process laid the groundwork for the eventual emergence of Indonesia as a nation-state, a transformation that indirectly also describes how other nation-states emerged because of the happenstances involved in their colonial masters’ earliest victories and defeats. The book doesn't shy away from detailing the brutal exploitation and racial hierarchies that characterized Dutch rule. One learns about the infamous cultuurstelsel (cultivation system), which forced Indonesian farmers to dedicate a portion of their land to cash crops for export, leading to widespread poverty and famine. The author uses a unique method, from how passengers were carried in different classes on a ship, to describe the complex social stratification that developed, with the Dutch at the top, followed by other Europeans, then foreign Asians, and finally, the indigenous population at the bottom. The narrative takes a fascinating turn as the book moves to the early stirrings of Indonesian nationalism around the halfway mark. From Kartini, an early advocate for women's education and emancipation, and Sukarno, who would later become Indonesia's first president, we are introduced to some of the personalities that shaped the nation. However, unlike in the history of other independence movements like India’s, the Indonesian story has far fewer individuals – perhaps the reason why it is far less cited as well. The author skillfully weaves their personal stories into the broader tapestry of the independence movement, showing how ideas of nationhood began to take root across the diverse archipelago. A particularly compelling aspect of "Revolusi" is its treatment of World War II and the aftermath. One gets a gripping account of the Japanese occupation, highlighting how it paradoxically weakened Dutch control while simultaneously fostering Indonesian nationalist sentiments. The book is perhaps best in the post-war period. As such, it was a brief period of only four years, but these chaotic years form the book's core. The author's portrayal of this period is nuanced, showing the complexities of the struggle and the international dynamics at play. He describes how the Dutch, clinging to their colonial possessions, initially refused to recognize Indonesian independence, leading to years of conflict and negotiation. The author does not draw too many direct connections between Indonesia's struggle and broader global trends. Still, readers familiar with other nations’ histories can derive many other learnings. In some ways, Indonesia's independence movement borrowed from the experience of others like India’s but also inspired and connected with other anticolonial struggles across Asia and Africa. The author's discussion of the 1955 Bandung Conference, which brought together newly independent nations to forge a path separate from both Western capitalism and Soviet communism, is particularly insightful for the optimism that existed in those decades soon after the Second World War. With Indonesian lessons from the book, it is easier to explore counterfactual scenarios and comparative colonial experiences of many others. For example, the book describes why Borneo is divided as it is today or the peculiar status of Guinea and Timor. The same could be extended to understand the nation-states of Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan, etc, or to understand why countries like India have maps they have today. By comparing Dutch rule with British, French, and even Japanese colonial practices in Indonesia during the tumultuous years, the book offers an understanding of different colonial systems and their legacies. "Revolusi" also excels in treating Indonesia's internal diversity and the challenges of nation-building. Navigating the complexities of forging a unified national identity from a multitude of ethnic groups, languages, and religions spread across thousands of islands is not easy. The book shows how the concept of "Indonesia" itself was a relatively recent construct, born out of the anticolonial struggle and carefully cultivated by nationalist leaders. In conclusion, "Revolusi" is a work that is deeply researched, intellectually rigorous, and eminently readable. It fills a significant gap in popular historical knowledge and also provides a fresh perspective on the broader currents of 20th-century global history. ...more |
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Jul 24, 2024
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Aug 05, 2024
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Aug 06, 2024
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Audio CD
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| 1472148398
| 9781472148391
| B0CDDLPZ5D
| 3.97
| 39
| unknown
| Apr 04, 2024
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liked it
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"Accidental" is a relatively brisk journey through the landscape of scientific serendipity. While the premise is highly promising, the execution falls
"Accidental" is a relatively brisk journey through the landscape of scientific serendipity. While the premise is highly promising, the execution falls short of its potential. It is well known how serendipity plays a crucial role in scientific advancement. The book attempts to catalog a wide array of accidental discoveries, ranging from world-changing breakthroughs to minor yet exciting findings. However, the author's approach of providing a rapid-fire list of discoveries, with most receiving only a paragraph of attention, proves to be more of a weakness than a strength. This format is initially engaging and entertaining. Some examples are enjoyable and worth learning about, like Alexander Fleming's chance observation of penicillin or Wilhelm Röntgen's unexpected detection of X-rays. Interspersed are lesser-known accidents, such as the accidental creation of safety glass, for instance. However, as the book progresses, the brevity of each entry begins to wear thin. The lack of depth becomes particularly noticeable when discussing more nuanced or complex discoveries. For instance, the accidental synthesis of mauveine (the first synthetic dye) by William Henry Perkin is mentioned, but the broader is barely touched upon. There are attempts to provide connections between topics to create a smoother narrative flow, but these transitions often feel forced. The book's structure, essentially a list of anecdotes, becomes tedious, especially in the latter sections. The chapter on the periodic table, in particular, feels more like a slog through chemical trivia. One of the book's shortcomings is its failure to delve into the nature and necessity of accidents in scientific progress without analysis or reflection on why such accidents occur or how scientists can cultivate an environment conducive to beneficial accidents. Moreover, the book's title promises "the greatest" breakthroughs that "changed the world," but most of the included discoveries, particularly in chemistry and biology, are minor. For example, the accidental discovery of sucralose (an artificial sweetener) is interesting, but it's a stretch to claim it changed the world in any significant way. In conclusion, "Accidental" is a list from which one can pick examples for a dinner table conversation, but not one where one learns much, except perhaps the excellent Appendix on the Rainbow. ...more |
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Jul 21, 2024
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Jul 22, 2024
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Jul 22, 2024
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Kindle Edition
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| 1119747910
| 9781119747918
| 1119747910
| 3.90
| 312
| unknown
| Sep 06, 2023
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liked it
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"The Missing Billionaires" attempts to apply rigorous mathematical principles to the complex world of financial markets and wealth management. The aut
"The Missing Billionaires" attempts to apply rigorous mathematical principles to the complex world of financial markets and wealth management. The author's approach is reminiscent of solving a multi-body problem in physics but with a crucial difference: the underlying laws governing financial markets are not only unknown but also in constant flux. The approach relies heavily on equations, probabilities, and theories that, while logically coherent, are fundamentally speculative. They are approximations of reality. While these models may appear sound, their ultimate effectiveness hinges on the outcomes they produce. These constructs are undoubtedly preferable to an utterly undisciplined approach, providing a semblance of order. The authors present various examples, but they are primarily US-centric, limiting the generalizability of their conclusions. A more comprehensive analysis incorporating global market data would have strengthened the book's rigor and provided a deeper understanding of wealth preservation across different contexts. Chances are most laws deemed workable are not applicable with even a slight change of contexts within an era. As a result, their applicability at different times, even in the US or for the US, is not as given as presumed. One of the book's key strengths is its in-depth exploration of utility theory in the context of personal finance. The framework attempts to quantify an individual's risk tolerance and financial goals, providing a practical tool for structuring one's thinking. The authors’ actionable investment strategies based on these principles have relatively sound conclusions, making the book a valuable resource for those seeking to understand and apply these concepts. For example, the authors discuss the need for diversification and asset allocation as a result of their analysis. These concepts are unlikely to excite anyone who has read any portfolio theories even briefly (and those who have not should not pick this extreme jargon-heavy book). While intriguing, the central question of the missing billionaires serves more as a narrative device than a core focus of the book. The authors' analysis of the mundane misses or understates the tail risk events for any lineages: even the wealthiest are susceptible to the vagaries of extraordinary events when the periods are in centuries. Catastrophic wealth-destroying events, such as wars, revolutions, and other natural, economic, or political upheavals, have occurred throughout history and across the globe. Examples like the Russian Revolution of 1917, which wiped out the wealth of the country's aristocracy, or the hyperinflation in Weimar Germany in the 1920s, which decimated middle-class savings, would have provided valuable context to the author's arguments. By neglecting to incorporate global market examples, the authors miss an opportunity to highlight the universality of this phenomenon. The mathematical complexity of the book may also be its Achilles' heel. The intricate equations and models presented are built on a foundation of assumptions that, when scrutinized, reveal a high and mounting degree of subjectivity. The assumptions regarding correlations, utility functions, and other variables are plentiful and can significantly influence the outcomes. Investors may find themselves tweaking these assumptions to achieve desired results. This raises questions about the practicality and real-world applicability of such elaborate frameworks. The critique leveled at the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which, while mathematically elegant, relies on assumptions that don't always hold in real-world markets, applies to all discussed in the book. Overall, the book's emphasis on rigorous analysis and quantitative methods is a welcome departure. Its practical applicability is not as straightforward as the suggestions from the bestseller books in the field. The book is more of a thought-provoking exploration of quantitative methods in personal finance. ...more |
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Jul 13, 2024
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Jul 19, 2024
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Jul 21, 2024
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Hardcover
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| 0593534344
| 9780593534342
| 0593534344
| 4.53
| 3,131
| Jun 15, 2023
| Nov 07, 2023
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it was amazing
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"Material World" is a captivating exploration of the hidden intricacies underpinning modern existence. The book masterfully weaves together engaging s
"Material World" is a captivating exploration of the hidden intricacies underpinning modern existence. The book masterfully weaves together engaging stories, meticulous research, and thought-provoking insights. Each chapter brims with fascinating details and learning opportunities. The biggest contributor, more than all the facts, is the author’s narrative style. He masterfully balances complex topics with a flowing narrative that makes even the most seemingly mundane subjects readable. Of course, the book is a treasure trove of information, shedding light on aspects of our daily lives that we often take for granted. The author’s impact is in ensuring that the readers walk away understanding the importance of his subject matters, which are often overlooked in the world dominated by secondary and tertiary sectors. From global supply chains to rare earth metals, from remote mines to high-tech factories, the book is a wild exploration. One can marvel at the complexity of the material and processes that support our comfortable existence or worry over its extreme fragility. For isolationists, it is a lesson in the world’s interconnectedness while for those from service and other modern industries, it is a treatise on the importance of the “hardware”. The author has to be lauded for his knowledge and the research. The book is also a standout because of the author’s travels to rarely discussed places and stories from the ground. This adds to the talent for storytelling. A remarkable work that is as enlightening as it is engaging. ...more |
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Jul 09, 2024
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Hardcover
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| 0399562761
| 9780399562761
| 0399562761
| 3.94
| 843
| Jun 25, 2024
| Jun 25, 2024
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liked it
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In this latest offering, the renowned futurist revisits his groundbreaking concept of technological singularity. However, the eagerly anticipated upda
In this latest offering, the renowned futurist revisits his groundbreaking concept of technological singularity. However, the eagerly anticipated update to the nearly 20-year-old seminal work falls short of expectations over and above the revised date when he expects Singularity to arrive. Instead, the book feels hastily assembled. Absolutely, the new date – before the end of this decade – will likely make this book a must-read piece of work for many, but it is likely that most, like this reviewer, will walk away not much smarter. The book's primary shortcoming is its lack of fresh insights. Rather than delving deeper into the evolving landscape of technology and its implications for the singularity, it rehashes familiar territory. The author misses a golden opportunity to provide better justifications for why he expects machines to be better than humans in almost all aspects by 2029 and not 2045. More importantly, the book fails to discuss the implications of machines working on themselves. At the least, the update book should have re-examined the core concepts of singularity in light of the vast amount of new information available since the original publication. A glaring omission is the lack of discussion on recent technological breakthroughs. The book overlooks innovations in mobile telephony and social media that were not expected in the first work, which is perhaps ok, but also highly topic-relevant developments in deep tech. Notably absent is any meaningful exploration of neural networks, including RNNs, CNNs, and the game-changing advent of transformer and post-transformer technologies. These advancements have profound implications for machine intelligence, intentionality, and purpose-driven AI – topics that are supposed to be what the book is all about. Instead, the book veers into well-trodden territory, offering a broad overview of technological progress over centuries and projecting exponential growth into the future—a topic extensively covered in numerous other books, TED Talks, and industry reports. A significant portion of the book is devoted to societal progress, summarizing work better articulated by other authors like Steven Pinker. While interesting, the author's optimism about technology's impact on employment and his speculations about future innovations across various fields don't offer much novelty either. On the positive side, the author's unwavering optimism and recounting of technological advancements do provide some valuable insights. His ability to picture potential future developments across various sectors is commendable, even if not groundbreaking. Overall, the book may become the book of the season for most readers, but it serves more as a general recap of well-covered subjects than a pioneering work like its predecessor. ...more |
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Jun 26, 2024
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Jun 30, 2024
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Jun 30, 2024
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Hardcover
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| 0525560971
| 9780525560975
| 0525560971
| 4.25
| 3,969
| Oct 17, 2023
| Oct 17, 2023
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it was ok
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“Determined” by Robert Sapolsky could have been a thought-provoking exploration of the age-old question of free will had its implications not gone too
“Determined” by Robert Sapolsky could have been a thought-provoking exploration of the age-old question of free will had its implications not gone too extreme for the criminal justice system. For some part, the book’s approach is grounded in neuroscience and evolutionary biology, offering a scientific perspective on the long-standing mind-body problem and the nature of consciousness. However, the author’s ad hoc extensions into the moral realms jangle because of the deep logical flaws (even if one agrees with the conclusions). In the first part, the author adeptly navigates the complexities of the brain, illustrating how many factors, including genetics, environment, and biochemical processes influence our choices and behaviors. He convincingly argues that scientific evidence does not support the notion of a separate, non-material "self" or "soul" that supposedly drives our actions. Instead, he presents a compelling case that our decisions and behaviors result from intricate neuronal interactions and chemical processes within the brain. The book does well in concluding how factors beyond our conscious control largely predetermine choices we make. The arguments are not original and are better made in many other works, but the author also does well in covering various grounds. The book offers a wealth of empirical evidence and real-world examples. The writing is neither as scholarly nor as entertaining as the best one reads in popular literature with conclusions original only for the uninitiated, but overall, even the well-read on the subject will find the breadth covered impressive. Unfortunately, all of these lead the book to question the validity of traditional notions of accountability and punishment within the criminal justice system. This is where arguments veer into the territory of excessive reductionism, where the author applies principles derived from the micro-scale of neuroscience to macro-scale moral and ethical frameworks. In one of the earlier sections, the author proves that rules of one domain (in his case, quantum indeterminacy) cannot explain emergent properties of a higher domain (in his example, any supposed indeterminism of our neuronal behavior). For complex systems, the reverse is also true. Effectively, the author who relies on strong reasons should not have used micro-scale neuroscience conclusions on free will to macro-scale moral and ethical frameworks where free will has a different meaning. In other words, the book dismisses the possibility of higher-order ethical frameworks that cannot be solely reduced to their biological underpinnings despite using precisely the same framework all through to describe our behavior for its own conclusions. There are other contradictions in arguments that want the justice system policymakers to focus on the violators’ inability to really choose what they did. If, as the author contends, we are all devoid of free will, then those tasked with reforming the justice system are equally constrained by deterministic forces. This logical inconsistency undermines any normative conclusions from purely descriptive premises. Ultimately, "Determined" serves as a cautionary tale for overzealous reductionism; while intellectually stimulating, it also demonstrates the perils of extrapolating scientific findings into realms where they may not neatly apply. Take a different example: the universe will eventually end. This can be used, if one intends to, to render any action meaningless in a nihilistic leap. Just as one wouldn't console a grieving person by reminding them of the inevitable mortality, we cannot use the universe's deterministic nature – assuming true - to excuse inaction or apathy in the face of pressing moral and ethical challenges. The scientific pursuit of truth is invaluable, but it must be tempered with recognizing the complex, emergent phenomena that shape our lives and give them meaning. ...more |
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Jun 03, 2024
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Jun 11, 2024
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Jun 15, 2024
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Hardcover
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| 0593240650
| 9780593240656
| 0593240650
| 3.91
| 666
| Nov 01, 2022
| Nov 01, 2022
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it was amazing
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The idealism and zeal exemplified by Adrian Hong are, arguably, exactly what the world needs, especially when prevailing attitudes are overly logical
The idealism and zeal exemplified by Adrian Hong are, arguably, exactly what the world needs, especially when prevailing attitudes are overly logical and patient. However, the very naivety that fuels their purpose can also pose significant risks, not only to themselves but also to others, as they pursue their ambitious goals. "The Rebel in the Kingdom" masterfully explores this double-edged sword of passion and peril. The book inspires hope and simultaneously highlights the dire circumstances faced by certain societal segments, often ignored by most of us. Through a narrative that meticulously details the efforts and failures of a small, determined group, the author captures the tragic yet hopeful essence of their journey. This saga, marked by both profound despair and a glimmer of optimism, makes "The Rebel in the Kingdom" a compelling read. ...more |
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May 08, 2024
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Hardcover
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| 9780593332702
| 0593332709
| 4.19
| 12,906
| Nov 07, 2023
| Nov 07, 2023
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it was amazing
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"Same as Ever" is a profound work that challenges our most fundamental assumptions while stating the obvious. From the first page to the last, it read
"Same as Ever" is a profound work that challenges our most fundamental assumptions while stating the obvious. From the first page to the last, it reads like a string of eternal verities. It is a title that whispers of stagnation yet explodes with dynamism. Each section dissects the ordinary, revealing the extraordinary within. We are left raw, exposed, and undeniably awake As much as the message, it is the style. Short sentences repeatedly lay bare the intricate dance between the mundane and the profound. The words, stark and unadorned, resonate with an unsettling familiarity. Quotes appear familiar, yet they appear more applicable than ever to whatever situation one may be in. To be clear, House’s universal truths are not universal. Each one could be argued. In a different society, each one could be disputed. The author’s implicit context is a certain type of individual in a certain type of society. However, if one sheds the mindset of nitpicking, there is a lot to take away on every page. One can pick up the book any time and any number of times. And begin reading randomly from anywhere. In no time, one is guaranteed to come across insights that are universally applicable yet deeply personal. This is a rare gem - a work that enlightens without preaching, that speaks truth without dogma. One will find solace, a path forward, and perhaps, even solutions. This is written for all, and still a personal journey inward. ...more |
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Apr 10, 2024
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| 1324006714
| 9781324006718
| 4.23
| 1,123
| Jun 01, 2023
| Oct 03, 2023
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it was amazing
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"The Blue Machine" is an enlightening journey into the uncharted waters of oceanography, a critical and scarcely explored theme. With a blend of deep
"The Blue Machine" is an enlightening journey into the uncharted waters of oceanography, a critical and scarcely explored theme. With a blend of deep scientific expertise and captivating storytelling, this work becomes a seminal exploration of the ocean's currents, waves, the life within, and their indispensable role in Earth's ecosystem. The author, leveraging a background in both physics and oceanography, unravels the complex dynamics in a manner that is both accessible and profound. It demystifies oceanographic concepts by segmenting them into easily digestible chapters. The sections dedicated to energy transfer through waves and examining ocean currents shed light on long-range impacts in ways that would intrigue and educate readers, irrespective of their prior knowledge. This approach illustrates the vast, interconnected network of the world's oceans. It provides unique insights into phenomena like the transmission of sound waves across hundreds of miles—a stark contrast to the limitations of light waves underwater. The ocean is a kaleidoscope of biodiversity, from the vibrant coral reefs teeming with colorful fish and invertebrates to the eerie, alien-like creatures that dwell in the deepest trenches. The author's vivid descriptions and captivating examples transport readers to these diverse realms, showcasing the remarkable adaptations that enable life to flourish in even the most extreme conditions. Whether it's the bioluminescent organisms that light up the depths or the bizarre creatures that call hydrothermal vents home, from the intense pressures of the deep sea to the fluctuating temperatures and nutrient levels, life in the ocean must adapt to a range of harsh environments. The book highlights the ingenious strategies employed by various species, such as using specialized tissues and organs to withstand immense pressures or surviving prolonged periods of darkness and limited food availability. One of the fascinating aspects of ocean life that Czerski explores is the relationship between the size of marine organisms and their biomass. From microscopic plankton to massive whales, the ocean hosts an incredible diversity of living beings, and each adapted to thrive at different scales. This scaling phenomenon offers profound insights into marine ecosystems' intricate balance and efficiency. The author reveals how the laws of physics and fluid dynamics shape how nutrients are distributed, and energy is transferred, ultimately determining the abundance and distribution of life in the ocean. In many ways, the blue machine is a fascinating application of fundamental laws of physics that are different from the manifestations we are used to. By exploring fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and mechanics, the book shows how these forces shape the ocean's behaviour over time. The book celebrates the ocean not just as an element, but as a vital part of life for countless communities overland through the impact on the weather, seasons, shorelines, and involvement in the carbon cycle. Moreover, the book does not shy away from addressing the pressing issues of melting ice caps, global warming, and the potential exacerbating role of the oceans in climate change. Through this lens, the author calls attention to the delicate balance we must maintain to protect this invaluable resource. "The Blue Machine" is a compelling call to recognize the beauty, complexity, and critical importance of the oceans to life on Earth. With its rich blend of scientific insight, vivid storytelling, and a palpable passion for the subject matter, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the mysteries that lie beneath the waves. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Mar 20, 2024
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Mar 29, 2024
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Mar 29, 2024
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Hardcover
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| 1419764160
| 9781419764165
| 1419764160
| 3.88
| 121
| Aug 21, 2023
| Nov 14, 2023
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it was ok
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Jay Owens's Dust sets out to illuminate the often-overlooked role of dust in our environment and, consequently, climate crises. But, the title turns m
Jay Owens's Dust sets out to illuminate the often-overlooked role of dust in our environment and, consequently, climate crises. But, the title turns misleading as the environmentalist author cannot yield to the topic's primacy and keeps veering off to ideas, views, and narratives dear to her heart. The need to connect them to "Dust" weakens those discussions, as she is forced to return to the topic that is not precisely her real love, if not the area of expertise. Effectively the book is a wide-ranging exploration of the environmental damages wrought by humanity. The disjointed essays touch on important topics like soil erosion, expanding drylands, melting glaciers, and other critical issues facing the planet. One travels back in time and across geographies, leading to some great discussions at times. The chapter on the Dust Bowl's legacy was this reviewer's favorite. This is where the author describes the lingering devastation of the Dust Bowl, demonstrating how once-thriving farmlands can be reduced to barren wastelands. Unfortunately, these high points only emphasize how lacking the overall scholarly analysis of dust as a singular phenomenon ends up being. Compared to how authors like Mark Kurlansky (Salt), Helen Czerski (The Blue Machine, about the oceans), or Vaclav Smil (Energy and Civilization) exhaustively chronicle the histories, compositions, cultural impacts, and future implications of their respective subjects, Owens takes a decidedly scattershot approach. Discussions about dust's origin, composition, variations across time and geography, and potential mitigation strategies are hinted at but never fully realized. This book may feel somewhat superficial for a reader seeking a comprehensive understanding of dust. Without a doubt, the author's cries for help on critical issues like soil degradation, water scarcity, to air pollution need to be heard. Some of her views against modernity will not be agreeable to all, but they do not make the need to focus on these eco-crises and their damages any less valid. All that said, the book is almost as if the author or the publisher wanted to graft a ubiquitous, novel subject like dust to discuss these topics in a different garb. Unfortunately, the approach does not work. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Mar 13, 2024
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Mar 17, 2024
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Mar 17, 2024
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Hardcover
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| 0063286343
| 9780063286344
| 0063286343
| 4.45
| 1,194
| unknown
| Oct 24, 2023
|
it was amazing
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In the landscape of literature exploring the evolution of intelligence, "A Brief History of Intelligence" stands out as an essential read for anyone v
In the landscape of literature exploring the evolution of intelligence, "A Brief History of Intelligence" stands out as an essential read for anyone vested in the fields of evolution, artificial intelligence, philosophy, or spirituality. The author masterfully interweaves modern AI terminology to demystify the complexities of our brain's evolution. This novel approach sets the book apart from traditional evolutionary texts, presenting a fresh and engaging perspective. The book's core thesis lies in their five-stage classification of how the brain evolved. This framework, viewed through the lens of modern AI creation and popular terms used by its community, invites a refreshing understanding of evolutionary principles. While purists may find room for debate, its contextual relevance to today's AI advancements is undeniable. This book opens doors to profound learning experiences, challenging and expanding the reader's understanding. While not covered in the book, its arguments have profound implications for long-standing philosophical concepts of the mind and soul. With a deep dive into the mechanics of neural development, age-old arguments about duality or free will may come to seem as outdated as ancient theories of elemental composition. Of course, philosophical works retain value for a plethora of reasons, but engaging in such debates without the insights presented within A Brief History of Intelligence might be considered akin to philosophizing over what the world is made of without knowing anything about chemistry. Another striking point emerges from the book (once again not sufficiently discussed in the book): the pace of technological advancement in machine intelligence. Artificial intelligence has surged through developmental stages in mere decades that took nature billions of years to traverse. It's easy to draw parallels between early transistors and primordial neurons, or between ChatGPT and the rise of human cognition – yet predicting what lies ahead with such exponential progress poses near-insurmountable challenges. The following are this reviewer’s notes or takeaways for future reference in his language: 1. Uniformity of Neurons: A groundbreaking revelation is that all neurons, across various animal species, are fundamentally the same. 2. Distinct Evolutionary Paths: The book highlights the simultaneous evolution of neurons, gastrointestinal systems, and muscles in animals, contrasting this with non-neuronal organisms like fungi. Neurons played a fundamental role in animal evolution, driving them apart from fungi and other non-sentient life forms. 3. Valence and Early Brain Development: The exploration of early multicellular life forms and their preferences steered by electrochemical processes sheds light on the genesis of early brain structures. 4. Neuromodulators: The roles of serotonin and dopamine in emotional response and arousal are intricately detailed. The book also delves into the stress-induced release of adrenaline and the calming effect of opioids after prolonged stress. 5. Associative Learning: The neural underpinnings of Pavlovian learning and synaptic connections formed through repetitive reinforcement. 6. Vertebrate Brains: The common six-part brain structure dating back to the Cambrian era. 7. Learning and Neural Connections: Discussing the credit assignment problem in machine learning and associative learning, the book underscores the fundamental neural mechanisms of learning. The adage "neurons that fire together wire together" is emblematic of this concept. 8. Temporal Credit Assignment and Reinforcement Learning: The challenges of linking actions to delayed rewards and the evolution of reinforcement learning strategies, including TD learning, are thoroughly examined. 9. Basal Ganglia: The inhibitory mechanisms gating actions based on fluctuating dopamine levels. 10. Continuous Learning vs. AI Development: A critical distinction is made between the continuous learning abilities of human brains and the static nature of AI, where learning ceases once the system is deployed. 11. Solving Invariance Problems: The book explores how brains have evolved to solve pattern recognition and reinforcement learning challenges, leading to the development of complex sensory abilities in higher animals. 12. Exploration and Exploitation in Brain Evolution: The evolution of curiosity and risk-taking behaviors in advanced vertebrates is linked to the development of spatial mapping and vestibular mechanisms. 13. The Neural Dark Age and Neocortical Development: A significant period of stagnation in brain evolution is followed by the emergence of the neocortex, now a major component of the brain, highlighting its adaptability and repurposing abilities. After a nearly 500 million years gap, the brain sizes exploded to nearly 1000 times in a short period. 14. Cortical Repurposing: The adaptability of neocortical columns based on sensory inputs. 15. Model-Based vs. Model-Free Learning: The transition from basic reactive learning to advanced predictive and causal learning, embodying counterfactual thinking and planning, is a pivotal development in brain evolution. 16. Social Hierarchies and Politics in Brain Evolution: The development of hierarchical social structures, driven by alliance formation rather than sheer strength, marks a significant evolutionary step, particularly in primates. 17. Theory of Mind and Knowledge Transmission: The ability to infer others' intentions and emotions (theory of mind) and its role in social learning and teaching underscores a crucial advancement in cognitive evolution. 18. The Enigma of Language Evolution: Tracing the evolution of language remains a challenge, with significant gaps in understanding the transition from our closest Homo genus ancestors to modern humans. There is a lot more in the book. With the advent of GenAI, there have been some amazing, great books, and this book will likely find a space on the top shelf, almost irrespective of what comes later. This reviewer read the book twice and feels that it is not enough. ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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Feb 14, 2024
Feb 08, 2024
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Feb 17, 2024
Feb 14, 2024
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Feb 16, 2024
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Hardcover
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| 1250897939
| 4.39
| 2,132
| unknown
| Nov 07, 2023
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liked it
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As one of AI's pioneering founding mothers, Dr. Fei-Fei Li is destined for the history books. While shaping the AI's true history-defining years of th
As one of AI's pioneering founding mothers, Dr. Fei-Fei Li is destined for the history books. While shaping the AI's true history-defining years of the first quarter of the twenty-first century, she had a unique vantage point to narrate the evolution that has now turned into a revolution. The chronicle of the neural network renaissance sketched in the book should prove a trove for future scholars tracing AI's origins. Alas, this book's desultory storytelling does not do justice to the topic. It will go down as not only incomplete but also inadequate in the goodness of time. The book is best when it captures the emergence of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and then Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) awakened from the field's winter slumber, breaking past roadblocks in ImageNet and WordNet. The author superbly shows the critical role played by her teams and their heroic labors in generating vast human-curated datasets. For some reason, the author shies away from more detailed technical and technological factors, which would have made the book a far greater source of historical importance. The author's weaving of this with her personal narrative does not work. The book overreaches in painting personal setbacks as the stuff of Greek tragedy. As much as the author tries, her story is not of an extreme underdog. This person is blessed with great intellect and has always been a part of the world's best institutions. She was rarely hindered because of her gender or ethnicity. Yes, she has her own occasional setbacks and personal tragedies, but not of the kind that make compelling narratives. Like her Congress appearance, the endeavor to make everything a rough climb has almost anecdote ending with a damp squib. They serve occasional purposes in providing a base for some of the author's ethical AI pursuits, but once again, not of a kind that will set either the goals or the work apart from those of many others. The biggest weakness is where the book stops - just at the time of the arrival of the LLMs, which, as we know it today, dwarfs all that came before. The book is akin to an early 20th-century treatise on electromagnetism that stops at 1905 and Einstein's emergence in physics. The book excels in showcasing neural networks' sporadic successes and pitfalls before taking absolute center stage, but it still appears like the tales of early Korolev rockets before Apollo's glories. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Dec 04, 2023
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Dec 08, 2023
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Dec 09, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 0262048051
| 9780262048057
| 0262048051
| 3.87
| 765
| Feb 14, 2023
| Feb 14, 2023
|
really liked it
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Despite its excessively negative message, "Invention and Innovation" remains a relevant book even for the most optimistic innovators and entrepreneurs
Despite its excessively negative message, "Invention and Innovation" remains a relevant book even for the most optimistic innovators and entrepreneurs. As the author meticulously documents through numerous examples throughout history, the process of innovation carries monumental risks that are too often blithely ignored by those in the field and the media hype around innovations that succeed. From harmful chemicals like DDT and CFCs that showed early warning signs of danger, to speculative projects like the hyperloop transit system critiqued through hard data, the book illuminates the sobering reality that many innovations fail or lead to unintended consequences. However, the author misses two critical points. First, societies and communities that fail to innovate historically suffer far more across metrics of health, life expectancy, poverty and more compared to those that do attempt innovation, despite its risks. Second, given the unpredictable nature of pioneering new ideas, optimists and dreamers willing to accept some failure must lead the charge into uncharted territories. Innovations rarely emerge from the risk averse. We need visionaries willing to stumble in their pursuit of new frontiers. Interestingly, in predicting pessimistic outcomes for fields like AI, the author forgets his own lesson that innovation defies prediction. By definition, progress leaps irregularly with "first times" that disrupt the repetitive patterns of history. While failure repeats for decades, suddenly one day our planes flew. Just since this book's late 2022 publication, AI has experienced a transformational phase shift with models like DALL-E 2 and ChatGPT demonstrating new canvases of intelligence. The author would likely be stunned by the field's exponential growth in the past 18 months, let alone its future trajectory. Problems will always remain. No matter how many innovations, it is unlikely anyone will live forever. We all will have things that will make us frustrated, angry, depressed, or feel like being unfairly treated no matter what is invented or not. There will also be uber-optimists whose proclamations grab the attention, but who do not represent the serious workers in various innovation fields. The book does injustice to the majority in innovation fields who are well aware of the issues raised in here but still believe that the world can be made better. In conclusion, despite substantive flaws, the book's overriding purpose reminds us that headlong innovation requires caution and wisdom to avoid catastrophe. While optimists drive progress, the pessimists who spotlight potential dangers are equally essential. For innovators most of all, studying the perilous history of innovation remains imperative to navigate its inherent risks en route to unprecedented breakthroughs. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 23, 2023
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Nov 28, 2023
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Nov 30, 2023
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Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 1324035854
| 9781324035855
| 1324035854
| 3.86
| 1,021
| May 31, 2022
| Nov 01, 2022
|
liked it
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"Beyond Measure" ambitiously tackles the important yet massive topic of measurement and its implications. In the end, the author's inability to fully
"Beyond Measure" ambitiously tackles the important yet massive topic of measurement and its implications. In the end, the author's inability to fully deal with the topic's unwieldiness dominates. Through vivid storytelling and cogent analysis, the author attempts an engaging intellectual journey that finds its north star in the history and impact of standardization and the metric system. In the first section, he shines a light on the painstaking efforts of pioneers who, over centuries, brought rigor and universality to weights and measures - efforts that enabled innovation and scientific breakthroughs we take for granted today. However, this is the same history that one has been told under different topics in many science books that start their narratives a few thousand years ago. The meatiest sections are in the middle, where the author discusses various standardization efforts of the last few centuries. They are filled with intricate detours into fascinating historical anecdotes and quirky trivia. With infectious zeal, one learns the winding paths humanity has taken in its quest to quantify and understand the world. From tales of French revolutionaries who nearly got guillotined over the meter stick to insight into how Einstein's theory of relativity shattered classical notions of absolute time and space, the author has some wonderful sections on how the development of measurement standards has been anything but straightforward. Yet, the treatment of the subject sometimes feels constrained, focusing heavily on historical anecdotes related to measurement without sufficiently expanding the discourse beyond this territory that will be familiar to readers of the popular science genre. While the stories themselves are engaging, the overarching connection and progression of ideas seem to taper off. In the grand scheme, the book is a patchwork of fascinating facts and historical vignettes that occasionally coalesce into a coherent narrative on the importance of measurement. The fault is more with the nature of the subject, perhaps. In our world of extreme quantization of everything, we are learning that there is huge value, even in imprecise and subjective measurements, as long as we measure and verify repeatedly and differently. The book could have tackled some of these topics, like countless other topics, but that too would have been unwieldy. In the end, the author took it upon himself to write about something where he simply could not have won! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 15, 2023
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Nov 19, 2023
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Nov 19, 2023
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Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 0593236599
| 9780593236598
| 0593236599
| 4.37
| 58,760
| Mar 28, 2023
| Mar 28, 2023
|
really liked it
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"Outlive" is a compelling exploration of longevity, serving as a clarion call to the fundamental shifts we must embrace in our quest for a life not ju
"Outlive" is a compelling exploration of longevity, serving as a clarion call to the fundamental shifts we must embrace in our quest for a life not just longer but richer in quality. The primary message in some ways, and which the book absolutely succeeds in delivering as an urgent wake-up call, is that longevity should be a continuous study; this isn't a novel concept, but the urgency and clarity with which it's presented here are invigorating. Through medical 2.0 and 3.0, the author finds his own way to present prevention as better than cure. Once again, the book doesn't claim to reinvent the wheel but reinforces the necessity of discipline across various life stages to augment our later years with vigor and vitality. This meticulously researched book proves that nurturing a long, vibrant life requires discipline at every stage. While the author's precise protocols around diet, exercise, and lifestyle may not be agreeable to all, they do not hurt the main messages. We need to get serious about the science of aging and make it a cornerstone of education and daily habits. The author takes a rigorously scientific approach underpinned by the latest research around measurable biomarkers of aging. For some readers, the exhaustive detail on proteins, metabolites, and glucose variability may be overwhelming, particularly when we know how each body is different as are the unique circumstances in their environments. But these sections illuminate how modern tools can help unlock deeply personalized anti-aging strategies. The book pushes us to become far more observant of our own bodies and behaviors. While generalized guidelines have some merit, the cutting edge of longevity lies in closely monitoring individual cues and optimizing regimens accordingly. Certainly, Outlive will jolt many readers into at least a few immediate changes, whether rethinking dietary proportions and activity levels, adopting health-monitoring tools, or sleeping. However, old habits die hard. As the author notes, lasting transformation requires revisiting the core principles again and again until they become automated. This speaks to the book's broader value - it provides a framework for evaluating new longevity findings over the coming decades. Science continues progressing rapidly, but the basic building blocks of movement, nutrition, mutual care, and purposeful living endure. In summary, while the impact of "Outlive" may seem ephemeral, peaking in the aftermath of its reading, the book is a critical reminder of the long-term commitment required for sustained well-being. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 03, 2023
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Nov 08, 2023
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Nov 10, 2023
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Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 1982181281
| 9781982181284
| 1982181281
| 4.40
| 47,307
| Sep 12, 2023
| Sep 12, 2023
|
really liked it
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In Musk, Walter Isaacson once again draws the perfect biographical subject to follow his earlier tomes on titans like Einstein, Jobs, and da Vinci. Th
In Musk, Walter Isaacson once again draws the perfect biographical subject to follow his earlier tomes on titans like Einstein, Jobs, and da Vinci. The book's greatest triumph is in humanizing this larger-than-life figure. Musk emerges not just as a genius inventor but also a quintessential risk-taker haunted by inner demons. Musk of the book cannot hold onto almost any personal relationship, which, in his typical double-edged fashion, makes him a successful, ruthlessly efficiency-seeking business leader in the workplace and an emotionally laden individual in personal affairs. Mr Musk's risk-taking, thankfully, is razor-focused on technologies that could revolutionize our world. More than just an innovator, he is a true believer willing to bet big on ideas, both outrageous and avant-garde. For each one of his successes, there are likely more failures (particularly over time). Yet fortuitously for us, his early wins afforded him the means and goodwill to keep swinging for the fences. Here is the man who parlayed early successes like Zip2 and PayPal into ever more audacious pursuits - SpaceX, Tesla, Neuralink, and Twitter. If the book is to be believed, each gamble was an impetuous roll of the dice rather than a calculated risk. For every Tesla that brings electric vehicles into the mainstream, there's a Boring Company digging tunnels to nowhere or mini-subs for rescue that never materialize. Thankfully, the hits have dwarfed the misses: what fails becomes a footnote in the financial statements, overshadowed by ventures that not only succeed but change the way we live, think, and dream about the future. Mr Musk's public persona is almost as electrifying as his Tesla coils. The author unravels the less likable elements but without the glee of a critic. He also balances them with some misunderstood parts, including his libertarian streak, business successes of a particular way of managing staff, and efforts on activities surrounding the Ukraine war. Still, he is a leader who demands much and forgives little. His demeanor often teeters on the edge of the morally ambiguous or excessively self-serving. Unfortunately, as the author begins as well as concludes, these darker shades are part and parcel of the drive that propels Musk to greatness, and there could not have been any other way. The book cannot provide a closure to the saga that will likely enthrall the world for decades to come. Its account offers a portrayal woven with praise and criticism, allowing the reader to form an informed opinion on what has happened so far. It serves as a seminal text for understanding a man who occupies the intersection of technology and audacity, continually challenging us to reimagine the scope and purpose of human endeavor. The Musk saga has many thrilling chapters ahead: one gets a feeling that in the goodness of time, this book will exist as a book written too early! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 22, 2023
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Oct 27, 2023
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Oct 28, 2023
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| 4.19
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it was amazing
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Aug 30, 2024
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Aug 30, 2024
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| 4.00
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it was ok
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Aug 19, 2024
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Aug 20, 2024
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| 3.69
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it was ok
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Aug 13, 2024
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Aug 13, 2024
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| 4.35
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it was amazing
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Aug 09, 2024
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Aug 11, 2024
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| 4.54
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it was amazing
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Aug 05, 2024
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Aug 06, 2024
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| 3.97
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liked it
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Jul 22, 2024
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Jul 22, 2024
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| 3.90
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liked it
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Jul 19, 2024
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Jul 21, 2024
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| 4.53
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it was amazing
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not set
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Jul 09, 2024
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| 3.94
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liked it
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Jun 30, 2024
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Jun 30, 2024
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| 4.25
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it was ok
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Jun 11, 2024
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Jun 15, 2024
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| 3.91
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it was amazing
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not set
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May 08, 2024
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| 4.19
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it was amazing
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Apr 08, 2024
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Apr 10, 2024
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| 4.23
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it was amazing
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Mar 29, 2024
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Mar 29, 2024
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| 3.88
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it was ok
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Mar 17, 2024
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Mar 17, 2024
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| 4.45
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it was amazing
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Feb 17, 2024
Feb 14, 2024
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Feb 16, 2024
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| 4.39
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liked it
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Dec 08, 2023
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Dec 09, 2023
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| 3.87
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really liked it
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Nov 28, 2023
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Nov 30, 2023
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| 3.86
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liked it
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Nov 19, 2023
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Nov 19, 2023
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| 4.37
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really liked it
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Nov 08, 2023
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Nov 10, 2023
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| 4.40
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really liked it
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Oct 27, 2023
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Oct 28, 2023
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