“Thinking in Systems: A Primer” by Dana Meadows. One of the best books for understanding the worlds systems intuitively. Allows you to use a mathematical framework without needing precise numbers to get a model off the ground.
Ask HN: Any recommended books on developing mental models?
11–20 of 67 posts
Re: Ask HN: Any recommended books on developing mental models?
#12Everything on https://www.lesserwrong.com/ - start with the recommended collections then dive in. Many of the more established texts are available as ebooks if you prefer.
Re: Ask HN: Any recommended books on developing mental models?
#13Check out this biography of Col Boyd (the OODA Loop guy):
https://www.amazon.com/Boyd-Fighter-Pilot-Who-Changed/dp/031...
It's a total hagiography with some dubious historical claims, but a fun and interesting read nonetheless.
Re: Ask HN: Any recommended books on developing mental models?
#14It’s been recommended to death on HN, but Sapiens is a really interesting look at the development of humans. It uses a lot of philosophy to explain things.
Sorry in advance for this perhaps stupid question, but: Which Sapiens exactly do you mean? Is it an article, a book, a documentary movie, a presentation such as a TED talk? Which is the full title? I suppose you mean the book "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" (ISBN 978-0062316097), but I'm honestly not sure if I guessed correctly.
Yeah, that’s it. OP asked for books, so I figured that would be enough. Sorry for the confusion.
Re: Ask HN: Any recommended books on developing mental models?
#15Mental Models Aligning Design Strategy with Human Behavior by Indi Young is excellent.
Re: Ask HN: Any recommended books on developing mental models?
#16Possibly not what you’re looking for, but the Leonardo Da Vinci biography by Isaacson has the clearest example of that I’ve ever seen. Leonardo’s methodology of learning is incredible and inspiring.
Re: Ask HN: Any recommended books on developing mental models?
#17Science, strategy and war.
Dives into the thoughts behind John Boyd’s OODA loop. Really good book.
Re: Ask HN: Any recommended books on developing mental models?
#18“Thinking in Systems: A Primer” by Dana Meadows. One of the best books for understanding the worlds systems intuitively. Allows you to use a mathematical framework without needing precise numbers to get a model off the ground.
Related to this, "The Systems Thinking Playbook" is an excellent resource for demonstrating applied systems-thinking (and the power of mental-models) in a workshop setting.
Re: Ask HN: Any recommended books on developing mental models?
#19I've found that mental models -- even very abstract mental models -- are often domain specific, and benefit from domain expertise.
The most general mental models I have seen come from consultants who hop from industry to industry (SWOT for a business, of the BCG matrix) but even they are specific to firms and companies. Broadly speaking, these are often adaptable to any group effort.
There are a lot of books on these mental models or "strategy frameworks"
Re: Ask HN: Any recommended books on developing mental models?
#20Have a look at this: Mental Models I Find Repeatedly Useful https://medium.com/@yegg/mental-models-i-find-repeatedly-use...
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