Thinking and Reasoning: A Very Short Introduction by Jonathan St B. T. Evans, 2017 Oxford University Press
Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read?
941–950 of 980 posts
Re: Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read?
#942You like thrillers? You like non-fiction? You like absolute page-turning non-fiction thrillers?
Check out "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston - it's about the Ebola virus and a strain that wound up in a primate facility just outside of Washington, D.C.
Stephen King called the first chapter "one of the most horrifying things I've read in my whole life." It's so true. Preston caught some flak from CDC scientists for sensationalizing the effects of hemorrhagic viruses, but I think he painted a fairly accurate picture for the layman in all of us: they turn your flesh into soup.
Re: Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read?
#943Earlier quoted context omitted.
I chose a lie that hurts people? Hurts them how? Have you never told someone that you're "having a good day" on an objectively terrible one?
I’m done with this. You’re either fucking with me or I’m not qualified to help.
I'm not fucking with you, and there's nothing to help.
I'm living my life happily surrounded by people I cherish and appreciate - and who cherish and appreciate me.
I pay taxes. I have a lover and children. I hang out with friends, and we all have a good time.
I can't see your viewpoint as anything but being inflexible. Contrary to popular belief lies are an important aspect of the human condition. We lie to others and ourselves.
Re: Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read?
#944"The best book I've ever read was Atlas Shrugged in 8th grade. Changed my life." Not because I remember anything about it, or believe anything it espouses, or even like it all that much, but because it's a useful filter for obnoxious people in meatspace. If someone I don't know too well asks me what my favorite book is, I say Atlas Shrugged. If they react inappropriately, I'll be cordial and treat them with respect,…
"A Canticle for Leibowitz" I'd recommend also "Anathem" by Stephenson
Thank you
Re: Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read?
#945Earlier quoted context omitted.
Dude I read it in 8th grade. That was close to 30 years ago. All I remember about the book was the rant about cigarette brands at the train station and some notions about selfishness being a moral good or some such nonsense. It didn't speak to me then, and every time I've been dared to read it I've been bored to sleep. Now as for why I do this? This book creates such a wild reaction in people that it's an effective t…
> I don't actually care about the book. I don't understand why people care about the book. I care about keeping pains in the ass out of my life That is a yes to my question, then. You do not know what the book is about but you do know the Correct Feelings that others should have about it. You’ve clarified that you do not lie to strangers because you need them to feel a particular way about Ayn Rand. It seems that you…
I think we're starting to understand each other.
> That is a yes to my question, then. You do not know what the book is about but you do know the Correct Feelings that others should have about it.
Yes. From past experience I've observed less obnoxious behavior from some humans over others. Obnoxious is subjective. I'm fine with this.
> It is an odd thing to post and then vociferously defend, and it reminds me of a post I saw, “People willingly share things online that you couldn’t waterboard out of me”. That being said, I don’t think anyone is clutching pearls here unless you define literally any criticism at all as such.
But what if I'm lying about lying about my favorite book being Atlas Shrugged? You will never know!
Honestly, I find this all a little ridiculous.
"You admitted that you lie in real life."
Yes. Everybody does. Anyone who claims otherwise is lying. I lie about things that won't hurt people if discovered, or about things to make people feel better about themselves. And it's not fucking weird to say it.
Men have been lying to their wives about how the old dress fits for a long, long time - and if you think the correct answer is the honest one, you're a fool.
Re: Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read?
#946One of the most memorable books I’ve read is by Paul Ekman, who explores emotions and nonverbal communication.
Re: Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read?
#947Transall Saga by Gary Paulson. One of those young adult survival stories he was known for writing but with a sci-fi element. The book has been living rent free in my head since an elementary school book fair 26 years ago.
I loved any and all Gary Paulsen books. This one was so unique and I still think about it from time to time as well. I’m due for a reread.
Re: Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read?
#948"The Wall" from Marlen Haushofer was one of the best experience I had with a book in a long time
Re: Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read?
#949Asimov's New Guide to Science
Easy to read, he explains difficult concepts in a simple manner. I felt smarter when I finished it.
Re: Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read?
#950I read /Cannery Row/ once a year, and have for over ten years. I am a Steinbeck fan, and this is my favorite of his, but I'm not sure if I keep doing it because it's really the best or if I just enjoy judging my own changes in outlook against a standard unit of literature. I suspect it's the latter but it's a short book and I recommend anyone read it at least once.
Its one of the most beautiful books for me...I'm afraid to reread it and lose that feeling.