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Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

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Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#291

Post by Jtsummers »

kreetx wrote: post #58

I've really enjoyed Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and Lila by Robert M. Pirsig. EDIT: Also, The Phoenix Project is very very good if you are into IT management: funny, and although a novel then the content will make you want to fix your company and perhaps even think bigger about your carrer. But this one won't last you a summer since if you read it that slow you'll forget what was going on. :)

If you've read The Phoenix Project (or haven't yet) I also recommend The Goal. Also a novel, but I think it does a better job of explaining the Theory of Constraints. The Phoenix Project worked better (for me) after reading The Goal, it connects ToC to IT work, but I don't think worked as a good introduction on its own.

Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#293

Post by wes-k »

kranner wrote: post #266
wes-k wrote: post #239

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’d also recommend searching for Sadhguru on YouTube and watching any of his answers that peak your interest. I can’t help but feel that he has tapped into some stream of wisdom we can only hope to catch a glimpse of.

His answers such as water retaining emotional memories? Trapping spirits in boxes after Tantric rituals like Ghostbusters? No thanks, it's plainly nonsense.

Yes he’s a Mystic so not everything fits within our western beliefs. I assume you don’t dismiss someone once you find out they believe in God? Search for topics of his that interest you as appose to looking for reasons to dismiss him. The man has done some incredible work through his non profit Isha. Look at Rally for Rivers or the green hands project or Youth and Truth.

Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#294

Post by kranner »

wes-k wrote: post #293
kranner wrote: post #266

Earlier quoted context omitted.

His answers such as water retaining emotional memories? Trapping spirits in boxes after Tantric rituals like Ghostbusters? No thanks, it's plainly nonsense.

Yes he’s a Mystic so not everything fits within our western beliefs. I assume you don’t dismiss someone once you find out they believe in God? Search for topics of his that interest you as appose to looking for reasons to dismiss him. The man has done some incredible work through his non profit Isha. Look at Rally for Rivers or the green hands project or Youth and Truth.

I do think belief in God is irrational, but I don't dismiss people for being religious because I understand that such belief offers great emotional support. There is a difference between someone who holds personal religious beliefs and someone who is trying to convert people to their belief system for personal gain.

This is what people like Sadhguru do, but at massive scale. He is a classic cult leader, a more sophisticated Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh catering to a more sophisticated and English-speaking audience. Organisations like his Isha are non-profit for tax benefits as they don't end up paying income taxes and donations to them are tax-deductible almost worldwide. And of course they are massive vote banks which is why they are protected by politicians.

I don't have a problem with non-western beliefs. I've had a daily meditation practice for years, currently at least an hour everyday. But it's just psychological exercise. Nobody should have to pay $400 to Sadhguru's rebranding of these public domain practices, even if Sadhguru exclaims it is not for profit as he rides into the sunset on his BMW motorcycle or private jet.

Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#295

Post by Fnoord »

cannonedhamster wrote: post #200
dash2 wrote: post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'll disagree with Viktor Frankl, not because I've read the book - but it is worth knowing the man was a questionable person and his ideas have some questions over them too: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Frankl#Controversy

There's valid criticisms that can be made of any book and any author. The question isn't whether the reader gets benefit or not in my eyes. We read books from Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, Marcus Aurelius, and all sorts of historical people who have advocated or committed actual atrocities. Many of our heroes are warriors with imperfect lives that history has white washed. General Patton for example was a brilliant general w…

Thanks for your point and great examples.

They succeeded because they [somehow, for one reason or another] got away with their bad traits (or what we perceive as bad trait nowadays), and they became famous because of their good traits.

Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#296

Post by wes-k »

kranner wrote: post #294
wes-k wrote: post #293

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes he’s a Mystic so not everything fits within our western beliefs. I assume you don’t dismiss someone once you find out they believe in God? Search for topics of his that interest you as appose to looking for reasons to dismiss him. The man has done some incredible work through his non profit Isha. Look at Rally for Rivers or the green hands project or Youth and Truth.

I do think belief in God is irrational, but I don't dismiss people for being religious because I understand that such belief offers great emotional support. There is a difference between someone who holds personal religious beliefs and someone who is trying to convert people to their belief system for personal gain. This is what people like Sadhguru do, but at massive scale. He is a classic cult leader, a more sophis…

Again looking at the good that Isha does, if it’s a cult, sign me up!

As for money: https://isha.sadhguru.org/us/en/wisdom/article/should-the-sp...

Anyway it seems like your mind is made up. Glad you found a practice that works for you!

Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#297

Post by kranner »

wes-k wrote: post #296
kranner wrote: post #294

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I do think belief in God is irrational, but I don't dismiss people for being religious because I understand that such belief offers great emotional support. There is a difference between someone who holds personal religious beliefs and someone who is trying to convert people to their belief system for personal gain. This is what people like Sadhguru do, but at massive scale. He is a classic cult leader, a more sophis…

Again looking at the good that Isha does, if it’s a cult, sign me up! As for money: https://isha.sadhguru.org/us/en/wisdom/article/should-the-sp... Anyway it seems like your mind is made up. Glad you found a practice that works for you!

So his argument is that he charges rich urban people for their own good because they are too spoilt to attend the program in bare minimum conditions in rural settings and they only commit when they have to spend money. I suppose he thinks rich people take only rich gurus seriously.

It falls flat when you consider, to name just one example, Vipassana courses that are 100% free and taken very seriously by all participants. Nobody is walking in and out of those courses. The teachers are volunteers who are neither rich nor famous. It doesn’t lessen the seriousness of the participants.

Edit: if there is any doubt Isha is a cult, please read the comments on the very page you have linked. Upselling more expensive seats, claiming “my master” ought to charge one a lifetime’s income or “1 child” to listen to his words.

Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#300

Post by w4tson »

kuu wrote: post #8

I'd recommend The selfish gene , quite interesting book, it gave me a new perspective in how the evolution and life works.

Plus one. I’m reading this now. I have little interest in biology/zoology but already I’m gripped by it. I can’t believe how old it is, yet still feels fresh
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