What are you reading?

Discussion in 'Geek Cave: Computers, Tablets, HT, Phones, Games' started by OJneg, Sep 30, 2015.

  1. bumrush101

    bumrush101 Acquaintance

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  2. Derf

    Derf Acquaintance

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    Been making my way through the Dark Tower series, which has oddly enough been my first taste of Stephen King's books. On book 4 now, and I'm totally engrossed. If anyone is in the mood for a long series I recommend it.
     
  3. bilibili

    bilibili New

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    1984

    The big bro is watching uo_O
     
  4. dark_energy

    dark_energy Friend

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    Especially in China ;)
     
  5. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    Finished reading this. I can't say I agree with everything Sagan says. Specially the last chapters. I agree that overpopulation is a problem, and that nuclear holocaust is kind of a big problem. I feel the same way about caring for our children. But I don't think premarital sex cures cancer as he does. Also, note that for all his overpopulation talk, the man fathered 5 kids.

    He is big on finding aliens. I'm more big on figuring out how to keep the world evolving. I also feel that if more advanced ways of life finds us, and we are somehow in the way (likely), then we are destined to extinction, and don't feel too cheerful about meeting E.T. (I think Steven Hawking kind of feels uneasy about E.T. as well and told Sagan so).

    He is big on anti-Christian-ism (and other similarish faiths). He also pushes his own faith in his brand of science. It is all good IMO. We all have to believe in something. He is very much a pragmatic (as in try shit is more important than established theories... so he would proly fit well in here).

    I tend to agree with him in many things, and learned a bit about his book. When he talks about shit he does know, he is pretty good at painting a nice picture.
     
  6. sphinxvc

    sphinxvc Gear Master (retired)

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    I always kind of thought that Federation-style exploration of the stars would be a more constructive endeavor for humanity than drawing up borders to separate ourselves from each other, brand ourselves differently from one another, kill each other, make money off each other, etc.

    Nothing to do with the book, but just a thought stemming from what you said, @ultrabike.
     
  7. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    I have my own crazy ideas.

    Here is a interesting video that may help complement the book:



    I resonate much better with Hawking than Sagan, on things related to aliens and stuff. I don't think of benevolent or malevolent E.T. I think of whether things work out for the better and if we are in the way or not. So far it seems we are not. Self-consciousness and reason are awesome so far it seems. But who knows what's to come and what's going on some place else.

    Sorry, couldn't help the following gratuitous meme:

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2017
  8. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    That is not even the scariest part. The way human emotion is monitored and kept in check is really scary if you ask me.
     
  9. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    I was planning to read "Le Petit Prince" but my French is still not up to that level (long work shifts, studies take time).

    Yesterday I picked up Joseph Conrad's "Heart Of Darkness." The pages are few but each page feels like ten pages, the way Conrad brings images to life with short and powerful words sometimes makes you re-read a sentence (to make sure you did not miss something).

    It feels good to read an engaging story again.
     
  10. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    When you finish it, please tell me if it was interesting enough to read.

    I read Sogyal Rinpoche's "The Tibetan Book Of Living & Dying" and something did resonate with me.

    Thing is, Buddhism for some people is practising meditation and for some people something a semi-religious conviction. The line can be very grey and thin when you look at how certain monks who have reached enlightenment are treated.
     
  11. Case

    Case Anxious Head (Formerly Wilson)

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    280b7d2e0bf3b99c49192480393d1050.jpg

    My first exposure to American Pragmatism, very accessible.
     
  12. bumrush101

    bumrush101 Acquaintance

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    Yes, it's interesting! Catharsis is self genesis. Take what you do and leave the rest, bubblegum included. It is designed to a proverb and a man has no name. Meditation, despite it's connotations, is as simple as sitting on the floor of a room. DONT' MOVE and see how long you can stay still. Then do it again..
     
  13. bumrush101

    bumrush101 Acquaintance

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  14. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    Currently working my way through book one of The Mongoliad, which is a collaboration of a number of different sf/fantasy authors. The participation of Neal Stephenson was what prompted me to buy it. Started it when I bought it, but had a hard time getting into it. (Happens a lot to me.) Just saw that the next 4 books in the series were on sale at Amazon for .99 per and couldn't resist. When I put down volume 1, I knew I would like it, just wasn't in the right mind space I guess. The "sale" prompted me to revisit it, and I am really digging it. If you like historical fiction, especially the time of the Crusades and the Mongol invasion of Europe, there might be something here for you. I was pretty skeptical of the whole concept of a "collaboration," but so far it seems pretty cohesive, so...? Only 75% of the way through book 1, so who knows? In 2 months I might say "crap, don't bother."

    My favorite read (s) currently is the series called "The Expanse," byJames S.A. Corey, (ironically, the pen name of another collaboration, but unlike the above, of just two guys). When I heard that Syfy was doing a TV show based on the books, I assumed the worst, but it also is very well done and is the only tv I watch that doesn't involve a ball. I highly recommend the books and the show for hard SF fans. The sixth of a planned nine books, Babylon's Ashes, was just published, and will probably be next on my reading list. Just very well written, with believable characters and situations, and a relative lack of head-scratching science. As far as non-fiction, currently reading "Coolidge" by Amity Shlaes. Not many bios out there of my favorite president; we could use more like him. Cheers and happy reading all.
     
  15. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    @bumrush101 I am 28.

    Next book on the list is the book "Schiit Happened" by Stoddard and Moffat to get inspired to get more things done for the future.

    As a drop-out you have to improvise and rely on different skills.
     
  16. neogeosnk

    neogeosnk Friend

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    Ready Player One! Wow.. great book so far.
     
  17. bumrush101

    bumrush101 Acquaintance

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    Okay I'm 36 old man and of the C of E.. Do Well brother. I'm still reading the Jung.. Just read "All the light you cannot see" beautiful book, stream of kerouac...
     
  18. Lasollor

    Lasollor Friend

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    The last book I've finished is Hunted by Chuck Palahniuk. So grotesque but I enjoyed it so much. I'm a big Palahniuk fan but somehow I've never read this one before.
    And I've just started Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra a few days ago. It is a new updated edition in my native language. I've heard somewhere that people usually quote hime out of context so I've always wanted to read it and see if its true.
    I also have a new modern translation (again in my native language) of Dante's Divine Comedy on the way. I have such a long list of books I want to read...
     
  19. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

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    Just finished that book (+ current chapters) actually, there's an easy ebook on headfi. Up next is "A Princess of Mars" before I hit the Toole book.
     
  20. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    I shall do well. Thank you.

    Life is too short...
     

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