Good Economics for Hard Times, Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo
Great introduction to current social issues and how modern economics can help us make sense of them.
Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?
311–320 of 365 posts
Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?
#312I decided to learn/understand why Religion is the center-stage for almost every event that happens to humanity. This year, I’m planning to read the books, at least, of the top 5 religions of the world. Read Bhagavad Gita[1], had read the Bible[2] in hotel stays but will read it again, and the Quran[3] is waiting in the book-shelf. No, not religious at all; in fact, very far from it. Some time back, someone did a nice…
I have always been skeptical of religion and think the service that it provided is now obvious and religions are obsolete and no longer needed. At its core is a way to understand the “why” and the “how”. Why should we be moral? Why should I be honest? How did we get here? All of those are can be answered much more precisely and to a much better approximation with philosophy and science without the need for woo-woo beliefs. Sure we should all understand and tolerate religions to an extent but by and large the service they pride is served much better by other sources.
Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?
#313I decided to learn/understand why Religion is the center-stage for almost every event that happens to humanity. This year, I’m planning to read the books, at least, of the top 5 religions of the world. Read Bhagavad Gita[1], had read the Bible[2] in hotel stays but will read it again, and the Quran[3] is waiting in the book-shelf. No, not religious at all; in fact, very far from it. Some time back, someone did a nice…
This is maybe a completely un-informed comment, but does religion have much to do with the actual books? From my own personal experience 90% of the people I meet who call themselves religious couldn't quote more than 10 lines.
I have found this particularly amongst my Christian friends and relatives. In general I know more than probably 90% of them. I have asked about events, people, themes in the bible and they come back clueless and just quote whatever they heard at church out of the mouth of the priest/preacher. It seems like they are comfortable with other people injected their morals and how to live life every rather than seek out education and personal development.
Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?
#314Earlier quoted context omitted.
You are right KJV isn't easy understandable ... the NWT is easy to read
NWT also contains small changes to accommodate the Russellites' belief system. I don't even speak English natively and can read KJV. I guess it just isn't more difficult than reading in foreign language in general. Update: Samuel Johnson's dictionary helps with word definitions from 18th century. Noah Webster's dictionary is good too.
Does that even matter though? The KJV was written to best fit in with Christianity in that period of time and situtation. You won't find a Bible or any religious text without bias from those who are translating it.
Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?
#315The Bible - as an original source of all types of stories and narratives you’ll find in 99% of all fiction books and movies. New Testament — as an original source of most of moral principles and ideas modern european civilization is based upon (also fundamental stories and narratives).
The Bible isn't really the source of any narrative archetype, it's recycling stuff that's been around the Middle East for thousands of years before the Iron Age. The Old Testament is really to be credited with theological innovation. By the time Rome came around, Jews stood out extremely in the religious landscape. I won't even get into the New Testament. Jesus brings a lot of radical ideas, but he's starting from id…
Can you name any other written source systematizing all popular narratives befor the bible?
Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?
#316The Autobiography of Malcolm X
This is one of the best books I've ever read in my life. I'm a big fan of Malcolm X. The change in his life was huge and with every big change that happens to his ideas he doesn't get devastated or shocked but he pursues it with a better understanding. The culture and will power of this man is something respectable.
Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?
#317The best two books for engineers are 1) “How to win friends and influence people” 2) “Never split the difference” The first one will teach you how to work with people. The second will teach you how to negotiate salaries, raises, and promotions among other things. I don’t recommend many technical books because engineers can find all of that on the internet and are much more at risk of being bad at people stuff.
> The second will teach you how to negotiate salaries, raises, and promotions among other things. “Never split the difference” is a really good book, but I'm really confused by this context. The book is 90 percent 'how to encourage rational thinking in your counterparty.' The author's experience is in suicide prevention and hostage negotiation, where all you really want is the counterparty to do whats already in thei…
Do you know any books which can help in salary negotiation?
Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?
#318Earlier quoted context omitted.
Definitely not a recommendation I see often. I only came to know of the Gita by this quote: "To work you have the right, but not to the fruits thereof". Resonated with me, and brought me to the concept of "karma yoga". How did you come across it?
Alternative worded quote : "It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard
Hm, I would disagree. I think they are 2 different quotes, both meaningful in their own ways. I could elaborate more if you'd like.
Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?
#319I've thought about this multiple times myself and I'm torn between two -
Mister God, this is Anna - by Fynn
Finite and Infinite Games - by James P. Carse
Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?
#320The best two books for engineers are 1) “How to win friends and influence people” 2) “Never split the difference” The first one will teach you how to work with people. The second will teach you how to negotiate salaries, raises, and promotions among other things. I don’t recommend many technical books because engineers can find all of that on the internet and are much more at risk of being bad at people stuff.
I’ve tried reading “How to Win Friends” and all I kept thinking was how it completely would never apply to a person such as myself.