There is a discussion on LinkedIn at present about the inadequacies of the “linkedIn format” when it comes to what I shall term “constructive discourse” – by that I mean that something is “created” as a result of the discussion.
Worldview
On Endings
Are there any endings that we really want to happen? Even the best endings – the climax of a wonderful piece of music, the last page of a rivetting book – leave us in some way ‘sad’. When we have been enjoying something good, the fact that it has ended will – no matter how much pleasure it has afforded us – inevitably bring with it at least a tinge of disappointment. Indeed it may well be the case that the better the thing is, the more we feel a “loss” at its conclusion.
What Is Going To Happen Tomorrow
Wouldn’t it be awful if we knew! Yes, there are some things that we can say will (almost certainly) happen – but for the most part tomorrow is a mystery – and all of our tomorrows after that! I may be wrong, but if we knew everything that was ever going to happen in advance it would take all the fun out of each and every experience.
Antifragile: Things that Gain from Disorder
The first ‘serious’ book I have read for a while – have had the book for a few months and just started to read it. Sometimes new ideas are difficult to grasp – but for me the central idea of this book is “obvious”. I put that in quotes because it is only obvious because of other things I have read/experienced/thought over the years. Taleb’s style may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I quite enjoy reading him.
The Science of Discworld IV: Judgement Day
All the magic (and science) is there! Just started on this one and the three author’s are living up to their previous three books in this series.
The Long War
The first book in this series, The Long Earth, was mildly baffling – not because of the story itself but because it left me with a “why” question mark about the point of the story.
Raising Steam
At last another Pratchett – and worth the wait. Lots of the characters from previous books appear in this one.
Dominion
Excellent story. The idea of exploring some aspects of how life might have been had the events at the start of the second world war had gone in a completely different direction is well handled. Of course, this is only one possible alternate universe!!! However, it was a good book to have added to my birthday list!
Is Your Life Mapped Out? Unravelling the Mystery of Destiny vs Free Will
An author (and fellow Scot) that I hadn’t come across before – seems like his mindset and worldview may well be extremely similar to mine!
Siddhartha
A book that had been on my “to read” list for a long time – finally got round to it and very glad I did. A fascinating story of a man looking for enlightenment and finding something unexpected.