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My Favorite Books of 2016

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Re: My Favorite Books of 2016

#2

Post by anonbanker »

Another great list from billg.

I consider Bill Gates to be a modern eugenicist, and quite possibly one of the most damaging influences on technology, vaccines (I'm pro-vax), and education. But here I am, reading another list of his favorite books of the year. They're always interesting.

Re: My Favorite Books of 2016

#3

Post by knz »

"Honorable mention: The Grid, by Gretchen Bakke. This book, about our aging electrical grid, fits in one of my favorite genres: “Books About Mundane Stuff That Are Actually Fascinating.” "

The author of this book was on NPR/Fresh Air in August. It was a great listen/read if you are interested in the subject.

http://www.npr.org/2016/08/22/490932307/aging-and-unstable-t...

I heard it a couple of days after a weather related power cut and ended up in the rabbit hole of the risk from cyber warfare/terrorism and solar flares. I'm not sure I would recommend that rabbit hole if you have any concerns about the reliance of society on technology and just in time shipping!

Re: My Favorite Books of 2016

#4

Post by kirk211 »

Here is my list:

- Endurance: The story about an expedition to Antartica... gone wrong (http://amzn.to/2g26L5i)

- Crucial conversations: Learn how to argue with people without starting fights. Allowed me to look at the situation more objectively (http://amzn.to/2h8w4yN)

- Making of the atomic bomb (http://amzn.to/2gJF6VU)

- Relentless: the personal coach of Michael Jordan talks about how you can become a cleaner. Great if you want to understand how great athletes think (http://amzn.to/2gJCerW)

- Make: rockets. Some cool stuff to do with the kids (http://amzn.to/2gZyQaQ)

- How to make a spaceship: The history of the Ansari XPRIZE. Interesting read about how hard it was to build this spaceship. (http://amzn.to/2h8xMzY)

Re: My Favorite Books of 2016

#5

Post by roymurdock »

I really like the way he limits his list to 4 books. Most other thought leaders/influencers/CEOs do lists of 10, 20 "hot topic" books that you know they probably haven't read. I find the volume also diminishes the individual importance of each book on the list.

I'll have to pick up String Theory (I love that Bill Gates reads DFW) and The Grid per his recommendations.

Re: My Favorite Books of 2016

#6

Post by intro-b »

anonbanker wrote: post #2

Another great list from billg. I consider Bill Gates to be a modern eugenicist, and quite possibly one of the most damaging influences on technology, vaccines (I'm pro-vax), and education. But here I am, reading another list of his favorite books of the year. They're always interesting.

can you elaborate on your first point? i've read fringe theories relating modern healthcare philanthropy with a sublimated form of eugenics, but they've all struck me as somewhat polarized and devoid of evidence

Re: My Favorite Books of 2016

#10

Post by philfrasty »

kirk211 wrote: post #4

Here is my list: - Endurance: The story about an expedition to Antartica... gone wrong ( http://amzn.to/2g26L5i ) - Crucial conversations: Learn how to argue with people without starting fights. Allowed me to look at the situation more objectively ( http://amzn.to/2h8w4yN ) - Making of the atomic bomb ( http://amzn.to/2gJF6VU ) - Relentless: the personal coach of Michael Jordan talks about how you can become a cleane…

Would be nice if HN swaps out all those affiliate-links automatically with their own „tag“. I guess they could fund quite some startups with all the $$$ coming in.
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