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I'd love an insight into your book collections. Here's my past, present and intended reads:
Past read:
Epic of Evolution by Eric J. Chaisson : Mind blowing exposition into the evolution of the cosmos. From big-bang to cultural aquisition and speculation beyond. It's rare a book covers so much ground and stays so succinct.
Present read:
The Soul of the White Ant by Eugène N. Marais : Classic entomology text exposing the termite mound as an entity all of its own; mind, soul and all. Marais brings beautiful insights into our own superorganism status.
Future read:
The Varieties of Religious Experience by William James : I expect James' classic to bring me further insight into that most prolific and irrational of human endeavours.
What's on your list? -
1984 - George Orwell - Past
Illuminatus! - Robert Anton Wilson - Present
As the future catches you - Juan Enriquez - future -
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CommentAuthorDr. Orphusi
- CommentTimeJun 25th 2006 edited
Past Read:
The God of Small Things , by Arundhati Roy : A really beautiful work of fiction. It reminds me of an Indian version of 100 Years in Solitude. The description is amazing… Arundhati has a keen way of visualizing things, very vivid and abstract, with complex and evocative simile's, perhaps the best I've read in a while for that alone; every single page had at least one great line or image. It's also a look at how the small details in life can accumulate and shape a person for better or for worse.
Present Read:
Critical Mass , by Philip Ball : The essential thesis is that complex interacting systems - whether on a molecular or on a global scale - have a tendency to produce particular, sometimes ordered, outcomes in response to inputs. Thus, for example, the ways that cities grow, traffic behaves, nations interact or ethnic ghettos form is shaped by the nature of the system rather than by the design of the agents involved. Very interesting stuff.
Future Read:
Biocosm by James N. Gardner : A new scientific theory of evolution. Quote from Amazon review: "The basic idea is that the anthropic, or life-friendly, qualities that our universe exhibits are logical and predictable consequences of a cosmic reproduction cycle in which a cosmologically extended biosphere, developed and evolved over billions of years to unimaginable levels of sophistication, serves as the device by which our cosmos duplicates itself and propagates one or more "baby universes." I'm really looking forward to reading this... interested to see how it coincides with some of my own ideas on what the universe is geared for. -
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I have stood in book stores and gazed longingly at both Critical Mass and Biocosm. I've had to limit my book buying out here in Japan, firstly the expense of English language books is rather silly, secondly I hate to part with books, so the more I buy the more I end up having to ship home. Bummer.
I recently decided that my newest pastime when I finally get back to the UK will be visiting a library at least once a week. I read more when I force myself into a corner.
The Critical Mass books looks like it might shed light on the current 'Living Internet' forum topic. Can you extend your explanation a little? -
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/060960810X/002-7808607-4927256?v=glance&n=283155
This is a real mindblower of a book. The best insight into Chaos, Complexity, and the truly Hermetic vision of the worlds of the excruciatingly large and small. -
Past read:
Course in General Linguistics by Ferdinand de Saussure : Linguistics, what? I like linguistics! Structuralism? That sounds familiar! Oh, so this is what they mean by "sign.." Having just finished this century old text, I feel that several doors have been opened to me. At the same time, I'm curious as to just how "structuralism" has been abstracted from Saussure's principles and applied to other areas -- any recommendations for further reading would be appreciated.
Present Read(s):
The History of Western Philosophy by Bertrand Russell : I've read more concicse histories of philosophy before, but I decided it would be worth wading through this giant before jumping into the primary texts. I'm about halfway through now, and most of the reviews I've read have been spot on: Russell is a charming tour guide, and if he seems a bit biased at times it's only an invitation for the reader to investigate something herself. I appreciate Russell's historical digressions and personal comments, which both inform and keep things lively.
Basic Connections: Making Your Japanese Flow by Kakuko Shoji : So I don't forget too much over the summer. My biggest problem is still Kanji, though.
Future Read:
Ada by Vladimir Nabokov : Nabokov's prose is poetry. Decidedly my favorite author, quirks and wacky grudges aside... -
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CommentAuthorDr. Orphusi
- CommentTimeJul 15th 2006
Critical Mass was really good. The chapter on economics was a little dull but otherwise very good stuff. I now look at the physical operations of society in a whole new way.
I’m now reading Star Maker!! It arrived in the mail while I was still reading Critical Mass and so it promptly knocked Biocosm down a peg, which is now my next read. But man, Star Maker… thanks for the recommendation Dan, you’re spot on. It’s an amazing, universal book. Knowing you love this, I really need to double my recommendation on Childhood’s End, which is equally as beautiful and universal in theme. -
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Childhood's End is sitting on my bookshelf back in the UK, so I'll get to it soon.
Starmaker is probably my all time favourite read, I'll be getting back to my old copy of that too, must be 4 years since I read it. Once you get through that Last and First Men is a must. Not quite as broad reaching time wise, but bursting at the seams with ideas and insights into the human condition. It's a lot fresher in my memory so it haunts me still (in a good way).
Too many books so little time!
I plan on becoming a library lurker as soon as I get home. Japanese libraries don't offer much in the way of literature in my language ;)
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