I only read the rest of the series years later, but Douglas Adams' humour had a (very) lasting impression on me, and inspired me to write (and communicate, to this day) using a similar kind of humor and lateral thinking - because if you're not having _some_ fun, then you're not really accomplishing anything...
Ask HN: Which non-technology book has influenced you the most and why?
191–200 of 341 posts
Re: Ask HN: Which non-technology book has influenced you the most and why?
#192Re: Ask HN: Which non-technology book has influenced you the most and why?
#193There are many, but one is The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I read it as a child, and it was the first time I thought about logical thinking. Here is the section: “Logic!" said the Professor half to himself. "Why don't they teach logic at these schools? There are only three possibilities. Either your sister is telling lies, or she is mad, or she is telling the truth. You know she doesn't tell lies and it is obv…
This issues is of course there are of course more than 3 options. If she had been deceived intentionally than none of the given three examples apply. Further, it assumes you can verify that she was 'telling lies' or 'insane' as an abstract property of her which is another mistake.
That said, I can see why someone might find it a useful introduction to logic.
Re: Ask HN: Which non-technology book has influenced you the most and why?
#194[1]: https://www.amazon.de/Filip-Filander-das-geraubte-Wissen/dp/...
Re: Ask HN: Which non-technology book has influenced you the most and why?
#195Re: Ask HN: Which non-technology book has influenced you the most and why?
#196I read it over 20 years ago. I've been a vegetarian/vegan ever since. There were probably other things I read or saw that contributed to the decision, but that was, I think, the primary catalyst.
Re: Ask HN: Which non-technology book has influenced you the most and why?
#197Re: Ask HN: Which non-technology book has influenced you the most and why?
#198Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'll leave The Bible out of the discussion, but echo the point made. As one human race, we can all come together, try very hard, regardless of class or race or creed or sex, in earnest support of one another, and can collectively make terrible decisions like Daylight Savings Time.
> As one human race, we can all come together, try very hard, regardless of class or race or creed or sex, in earnest support of one another, and can collectively make terrible decisions like Daylight Savings Time. With proper attribution, I think this statement would be worthy of framing and public display. Keep that in mind in case you get famous :)