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vikingvisuals's reviews
57 reviews
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
5.0
I spent a lot of time with this book, partially given it's length and content, but also due to my experiences shortly after picking the book up and my desire to be able to give the book due attention.
Personally the book was enjoyable and at times funny enough to not want to put down. Concepts are often repeated, which some may perceive as a weakness but for me it was more a matter of reinforcement and drawing the strands of interconnectedness.
It is clear lot of research was done before and during this book. Frequent references to studies helped cement the foundation of knowledge this book sought to create.
Quite a few concepts were not new to me, I have always had a passion for logic and analytical philosophy so that biases have always been a fascinating aspect of human psychology to me, however the vast depth put into the explanations of these biases proved very entertaining and educational.
I certainly recommend the book to anyone wanting to improve their understanding of human bias and train their brain to look out for the countless ways framing can be used to influence our responses to various situations or surveys.
Personally the book was enjoyable and at times funny enough to not want to put down. Concepts are often repeated, which some may perceive as a weakness but for me it was more a matter of reinforcement and drawing the strands of interconnectedness.
It is clear lot of research was done before and during this book. Frequent references to studies helped cement the foundation of knowledge this book sought to create.
Quite a few concepts were not new to me, I have always had a passion for logic and analytical philosophy so that biases have always been a fascinating aspect of human psychology to me, however the vast depth put into the explanations of these biases proved very entertaining and educational.
I certainly recommend the book to anyone wanting to improve their understanding of human bias and train their brain to look out for the countless ways framing can be used to influence our responses to various situations or surveys.
Culture Warlords: My Journey Into the Dark Web of White Supremacy by Talia Lavin
3.0
I agree with some of the other critical reviews on here, mostly regarding the lack of sufficient editing and the minor disconnect between the title and context of the book and what was actually placed within it's pages.
However I think it is still an interesting and important book and does provide some unique storytelling. For anyone that is well versed on the topic of white supremacy and it's internet dwellings, there may be little here that is new to you. Lots of the book covers events and histories that are likely to already be known in this case. However for people just now starting to open their eyes to the ever increasingly shylessness of the far right in the current political landscape (in both the USA and across the world) I think this will be an eye opening experience.
However I think it is still an interesting and important book and does provide some unique storytelling. For anyone that is well versed on the topic of white supremacy and it's internet dwellings, there may be little here that is new to you. Lots of the book covers events and histories that are likely to already be known in this case. However for people just now starting to open their eyes to the ever increasingly shylessness of the far right in the current political landscape (in both the USA and across the world) I think this will be an eye opening experience.
The Idea Factory: Bell Labs and the Great Age of American Innovation by Jon Gertner
4.0
When I first received this book as a gift I was unsure what to expect. Having read the back cover I was intrigued but don't think it would have been a book I actively would have otherwise noticed. Having said that I am glad to have taken the time to finally read it.
For anyone interested in the history of technology or computers, this book full of wonderful research into the history of the great people and inventions that came out of the Bell Labs and was a joy to read. For those not so interested in such histories or general science the book may be less appealing, but that certainly does not make it any less fascinating and entertaining.
For anyone interested in the history of technology or computers, this book full of wonderful research into the history of the great people and inventions that came out of the Bell Labs and was a joy to read. For those not so interested in such histories or general science the book may be less appealing, but that certainly does not make it any less fascinating and entertaining.
What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Randall Munroe
4.0
Made the "mistake" of reading this in a few sittings. Very entertaining answers to absurd questions that would have been perfect for a bathroom reader. But no regrets.
River Kings: A New History of the Vikings from Scandanavia to the Silk Road by Cat Jarman
5.0
This is a truly well thought out and researched book, taking all readers on a unique yet interconnected journey of the "River Kings" through archaeological evidence.
Cat manages to make her research (as well as the research of countless other archaeologists and scholars) and writing accessible to everyone.
This book also helped me to even further appreciate the work that has been carried out and the vast amount of effort that goes in to our understanding of the past.
Anyone interested in history, archaeology, especially in regards to the Vikings, should read this book.
Cat manages to make her research (as well as the research of countless other archaeologists and scholars) and writing accessible to everyone.
This book also helped me to even further appreciate the work that has been carried out and the vast amount of effort that goes in to our understanding of the past.
Anyone interested in history, archaeology, especially in regards to the Vikings, should read this book.
A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes by Stephen Hawking
3.0
I agree with other reviews that this book seems to target a specific audience. It starts off simple enough for a wide audience but with each chapter ramps up so quickly and briefly describing abstract concepts that it becomes hard to follow. Even for someone like myself with a great interest (but admitted lack of true mathematical/scientific understanding) in cosmology it was quite hard to follow one concept to the next.
Having said that if you are able to push through it, there is lots of truly interesting information. This newer edition provides also a appendix to update some of the ideas expressed in the later chapters and add new information regarding dark matter.
The book truly is brief: in a little over 200 pages practically the whole history of physics is presented. Personally I think that is what makes the book a little more challenging than one would initially expect.
Unfortunately the particular edition I was reading also made some illustrations or photos nearly impossible to understand or see given the black ink on rough paper. Perhaps other editions do not have this same problem.
Having said that if you are able to push through it, there is lots of truly interesting information. This newer edition provides also a appendix to update some of the ideas expressed in the later chapters and add new information regarding dark matter.
The book truly is brief: in a little over 200 pages practically the whole history of physics is presented. Personally I think that is what makes the book a little more challenging than one would initially expect.
Unfortunately the particular edition I was reading also made some illustrations or photos nearly impossible to understand or see given the black ink on rough paper. Perhaps other editions do not have this same problem.
The Demon-Haunted World by Carl Sagan
5.0
I have a soft spot in my heart for anything Carl Sagan writes. "Cosmos" was the book that made my interest in science and space become a fervent passion. The writing in this book is no less engaging.
Multiple topics are tackled and given extremely fair treatment, even the topic of skepticism itself. The book is a journey into how people can mislead themselves and how science is an extremely important tool to steer clear of such folly.
When dealing with pseudoscience Carl Sagan is careful not to just call out the bullshit but to try and understand where these misguided beliefs come from and how they can better be combated in the future. For example he looks at the education system in the US compared to other nations and pleads for more general understanding of basic scientific concepts and the need for encouraging a sense of curiosity and wonder over brainless memorization of facts for passing exams.
There are so many beautiful passages in this book. It truly is a wonderful experience reading his words and taking on his lessons. I envy all students who got to sit in one of his classes. Highly recommend this book.
Multiple topics are tackled and given extremely fair treatment, even the topic of skepticism itself. The book is a journey into how people can mislead themselves and how science is an extremely important tool to steer clear of such folly.
When dealing with pseudoscience Carl Sagan is careful not to just call out the bullshit but to try and understand where these misguided beliefs come from and how they can better be combated in the future. For example he looks at the education system in the US compared to other nations and pleads for more general understanding of basic scientific concepts and the need for encouraging a sense of curiosity and wonder over brainless memorization of facts for passing exams.
There are so many beautiful passages in this book. It truly is a wonderful experience reading his words and taking on his lessons. I envy all students who got to sit in one of his classes. Highly recommend this book.
Das Café am Rande der Welt. Eine Erzählung über den Sinn des Lebens by John P. Strelecky
1.0
Persönlich für mich kann ich den Erfolg des Buches nicht ganz nachvollziehen. Ich kann jedoch verstehen, dass der Inhalt für manche Leute doch hilfreich sein kann.
Immerhin habe ich "nur" eine Stunde dafür gebraucht, aber für mich was es ziemlich oberflächlich und nicht wirklich inspiriert. Als ich am Ende auf der letzten Seite gesehen habe, dass der Autor Seminaren und Workshops verkauft, musste ich lachen. Will er uns auch nur Sachen verkaufen, die für unser Leben nur ablenken und nicht so wichtig sind? ;-) Unglaublich.
Immerhin habe ich "nur" eine Stunde dafür gebraucht, aber für mich was es ziemlich oberflächlich und nicht wirklich inspiriert. Als ich am Ende auf der letzten Seite gesehen habe, dass der Autor Seminaren und Workshops verkauft, musste ich lachen. Will er uns auch nur Sachen verkaufen, die für unser Leben nur ablenken und nicht so wichtig sind? ;-) Unglaublich.