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Ask HN: What was a book that changed your life?

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Re: Ask HN: What was a book that changed your life?

#101

Post by codr7 »

btschaegg wrote: post #93
codr7 wrote: post #47

The Pragmatic Programmer https://pragprog.com/titles/tpp20/the-pragmatic-programmer-2... It's been a long, long time since I had access to the book; and much of it is internalized by now; but back then it changed everything for me.

While it hasn't "changed my life", I'd like to post a solid +1 for this here. I just blasted through the audiobook version (which is excellent, btw!) of the 20th anniversary 2nd edition two weeks ago, and might be able to share another perspective on this. As someone who hasn't been in the industry since the 90ies, I find absolutely astonishing how basic some of the stuff is, yet my own workplace environment is full…

I think part of the reason it gets less attention these days is because so much of it is considered common sense now, back then many coders didn't get it yet from my experience.

Of course now we've come more or less full circle and gone all into institutionalizing the methods used to break the status quo.

Re: Ask HN: What was a book that changed your life?

#103

Post by dotmanish »

meowzero wrote: post #97

Maybe not A book, but some books that helped me change my behavior just a little bit. Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five - if you're thinking of having children or have young children already. This book gives some good insight on possible, data-driven ways to raise a happy and smart kid. I currently have a newborn and have altered some ways I behave around her. It also helps…

> "It also helps to think about how you were raised, and if that impacted the way you are."

For people interested in this area, I can also recommend "The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read: (And Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did)" (author: Philippa Perry).

Re: Ask HN: What was a book that changed your life?

#104

Post by aronpye »

mkl wrote: post #96
onecommentman wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Atheist or hard agnostic? Agnostic as in “I haven’t had an experience to suggest there is a God”. Atheist as in “my faith-based initiative is to totally believe there isn’t a God”.

Atheism is not generally faith-based. That's kind of the whole point.

Yes it is, you believe there isn’t a God if you’re an atheist. At this time there isn’t a way to prove there isn’t a God.

Re: Ask HN: What was a book that changed your life?

#105

Post by input_sh »

jessaustin wrote: post #28

If you're still religious, and you think maybe you shouldn't be, read Critique of Religion and Philosophy by Walter Kaufmann. It cured me.

George Carlin's routine did that to me. I went from somewhat agnostic to full blown atheist in like 10 min.

To not be off-topic, definitely don't waste your time on his books. They're pretty bad.

Re: Ask HN: What was a book that changed your life?

#106

Post by itronitron »

The Black Swan, by Taleb, because at the time it was particularly relevant to my work and since then has also impacted my decision making process more generally.

The Re-enchantment of Art, by Suzi Gablik. I hated it when I first read it but then after reading it a second time realized she was right about a lot of things.

Re: Ask HN: What was a book that changed your life?

#108

Post by rakwoelq »

knight17 wrote: post #59
ajot wrote: post #54

Endgame, by "LoGan". My older brother was into PUA stuff, I was dumped recently so he recommended me to read some things. All the other books and blogs were like "you have to do this one trick to get laid", but this book was a bit deeper. It changed my mind about being a happier and more fulfilled person by myself, and don't stress over being liked by other people, which in turn makes you more likeable.

Do you have a link? When searching for this I am getting a lot of Avengers related material but no related books.

The author is Leigh Louey-Gung (LoGun) and I would not recommend reading it.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22663642-end-game

Re: Ask HN: What was a book that changed your life?

#110

Post by simonebrunozzi »

underseacables wrote: post #71
simonebrunozzi wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've read the book many years ago but can't make the connection - could you explain?

In the book, Gladwell examined how police officers made decisions. He looked at multiple scenarios and broke them down into thin slice moments. I’ve been pulled over seven times since reading that book. I know better about what the police officer may be anticipating , and more about their training. So when they approached my vehicle I watch their body language very carefully, and I remain “as calm as a Hindu cow.” Fo…

Ah, makes sense. Thanks a lot for clarifying.
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