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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
When We Cease to Understand the World, the author’s previous book, was the best book I had read this year as of reading it. I can’t believe I had missed it when it was listed as one of NYT Top 10 books of 2021.
When I got a copy of his new one coming, I was ecstatic. This one is also a masterpiece.
These are not only favorites of this year, but some of my favorites of all time.
When I got a copy of his new one coming, I was ecstatic. This one is also a masterpiece.
These are not only favorites of this year, but some of my favorites of all time.
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Very smart people plugging into high voltage power sockets — I almost feel badly for everyone involved.
I thought I hated logic but maybe I didn't understand it.
Was sweating towards the end—would Lee lose??
Mind blown through time. Excellent writing. For a long time I’ve considered intellect (especially at its extreme) as something with spiritual origins (why else would we obsess over questions of order?), and this has only confirmed that for me. Chaos breeds mania—something must come from nothing. Maybe I just want tech to amaze me: “'…if our species was to survive the twentieth century, we needed to fill the void left by the departure of the gods…'” (222)
I thought I hated logic but maybe I didn't understand it.
Was sweating towards the end—would Lee lose??
Mind blown through time. Excellent writing. For a long time I’ve considered intellect (especially at its extreme) as something with spiritual origins (why else would we obsess over questions of order?), and this has only confirmed that for me. Chaos breeds mania—something must come from nothing. Maybe I just want tech to amaze me: “'…if our species was to survive the twentieth century, we needed to fill the void left by the departure of the gods…'” (222)
challenging
reflective
tense
I said it about "When We Cease to Understand the World" and I will say it again. Holy smokes!!! So quick, so creative, so smart. This book pulls no punches.
Incredibly written and compelling, this book forces the reader to contemplate progress for the sake of progress, the purpose of scientific discovery, and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence (and the atomic bomb). There's an agenda here, as von Neumann is portrayed in a negative light. It's important to remember that this book is historical fiction, and I did feel cautious accepting all the perspectives presented as the whole truth; however, the questions it raises and its points are still important and valuable. This book made me think much more deeply about the invisible hands of the government and large corporations, and how their agendas for gaining power and wealth (respectively) shape our day-to-day lives and livelihoods. The implications of scientific discovery are broad-reaching and should be carefully considered -- or at least I hope they will be more carefully considered.
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
dark
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fascinating and complex portraits of scientists and intelligence more broadly. Some of the narrative voices worked more for me than others.