The Autobiography of Malcolm X - Especially interesting read in today's political climate - pivotal nonetheless
Ask HN: Which books have made you introspect?
141–150 of 389 posts
Re: Ask HN: Which books have made you introspect?
#142Earlier quoted context omitted.
If you want to understand why he uses religion so much as I did (I've always considered myself an atheist), his lecture series here goes into it in much greater depth: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL22J3VaeABQD_IZs7y60I... He's dedicated his life in trying to explain why the atrocities of the 20th century happened and how they can be prevented. I believe he sees our rejection of religion as part of the probl…
But still that means he wants to believe in something that does not exist. The fact that we depend on God and religion is what actually takes our sight out of what is right in front of us which is family, kids, neighbors, little things, etc. Why do we need to attribute these things to God? Can’t we all be nice to each other without God?
> But still that means he wants to believe in something that does not exist. [...] Why do we need to attribute these things to God? Can’t we all be nice to each other without God?
I might be wrong but it doesn't sound like you've really read his material beyond 12 Rules for Life. It doesn't necessitate believing in something that does not exist but it will at least leave you with a deep respect for your subconscious and for the collective subconscious. That's enough to understand the value of religious stories. Once you're there, belief in God is your own business... it's not even clear if he believes in God and I'd say it's barely relevant.
Re: Ask HN: Which books have made you introspect?
#143I highly recommend 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos. This book gave me the courage to take responsibility in my life and start working towards things which are important for myself. As the author once said, you don't get not to pay a price, you only get what price to pay. It actually gave me the courage to leave Berlin and go back to my country(Romania) which even though is more poor and low in quality of publ…
Life changing and powerful. Simply no other book will make you as introspective as this.
IMO The next closest thing - in terms of creating introspection - is a psychedelic / psychotropic experience with accompanying ego-death [1].
Re: Ask HN: Which books have made you introspect?
#144All of these are novels. In my 20s I felt guilty and frivolous for reading fiction, but eventually I realized I could learn a lot more walking in a protagonist's shoes than I could reading self help etc. 'My Struggle' by knausgard. Lengthy but worth it, even if you only read book 1. On face it's just the angst of some middle class writer, but following him into the recesses of his own introspection is really somethin…
Fiction is in general severely underrated among STEM people today, with many arguing for how it is a waste of time, etc. I was fortunate enough to grow up in an environment where I had good access to it, and a healthy level of support for my interest.
THe thing I find funny about this is that many of the "STEM legends" such as von Neumann, Ulam, Einstein and others had read a lot of classical literature. Einstein himself is quoted saying: "Dostoevsky gives me more than any scientist, more than Gauss." I just make sure I give this quote only when there are no number theorists in the room.
Sure, if one just confines oneself to the "popular" works on a standard YA list, it may be reasonable to conclude that some fiction is not worth reading for a STEM person. However, the classics are classics for a reason after all.
Moreover, it is also not implausible that a discerning eye can find plenty of great worth in modern authors as well, something the parent has done.
Re: Ask HN: Which books have made you introspect?
#145I keep coming across this blog post, and each time I read it, I find myself liking it: 6 Harsh Truths That Will Make You a Better Person http://www.cracked.com/blog/6-harsh-truths-that-will-make-yo...
I first read this article at a young and impressionable age, and I think it has some great points. But I also think I took it too far to heart. I've spent a lot of time acquiring skills and knowledge and a career. But people generally don't care about what you can do, as long as you're above a certain baseline of not being a total loser. They care about how you can make them feel about themselves.
Re: Ask HN: Which books have made you introspect?
#146Only a quarter through Satya Nadella's 'Hit Refresh' and it's already giving me food for thought.
Re: Ask HN: Which books have made you introspect?
#147Earlier quoted context omitted.
> He's dedicated his life in trying to explain why the atrocities of the 20th century happened Looking at what he published it seems he dedicated most of his life to researching the effects of alcoholism. Also would you mind expanding on how he uses science to give new meaning to the Judeo-Christian underpinnings of Western society?
> Also would you mind expanding on how he uses science to give new meaning to the Judeo-Christian underpinnings of Western society? The first lecture should give you a good idea, but if you're looking for discussion, I'd be willing to have it but we'd be here for hours. We'd have to get into philosophy and define terms like "science", "God", "society", etc. We'd then have to explore psychology and models of conscious…
I'll give the lecture a watch. I am more interested in how he approaches the subject. I've had my doubts out Peterson for a while since some of his views seem very regressive, however I haven't watched everything he has said.
Re: Ask HN: Which books have made you introspect?
#148Antifragile by Nassim Taleb - This book made me rethink a lot of the things in my life.
Only book I've gone back to re-read as soon as I've finished. Halfway through Skin in the Game, and I expect I'll do the same with this one.
I thought of buying this book but it seems very similar to 'Antifragile' - so I am not sure if it is worth reading. In fact I think all his books are very similar. Now he is just milking his success by churning out books with the same message.
Re: Ask HN: Which books have made you introspect?
#149Night. Elie Weasel. Its a memoir of his experience during the holocaust. Makes us value life more the way we have it. Raises the bar for what is our purpose and speaking out against injustice.
Re: Ask HN: Which books have made you introspect?
#150Oliver Sacks' 'The man who mistook his wife for a hat' made me think how much of what I assume is inseparable to my internal experience is really something I take for granted.
I haven't finished it but Foucault's 'Archaeology of knowledge' is enlightening in many ways not least because of its precise language on transformations of fields of knowledge.