Spreadsheet of Steven Pinker’s book recommendations
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Spreadsheet of Steven Pinker’s book recommendations
1–10 of 41 posts
Re: Spreadsheet of Steven Pinker’s book recommendations
#2Here is a "commentable" copy of the sheet.
(also easier to make a copy of)
Re: Spreadsheet of Steven Pinker’s book recommendations
#3Most of these are a bit pop sciency. Idk why people say they like Lolita.
Re: Spreadsheet of Steven Pinker’s book recommendations
#4Most of these are a bit pop sciency. Idk why people say they like Lolita.
You could argue that Pinker too is a pop-science writer.
Re: Spreadsheet of Steven Pinker’s book recommendations
#5Most of these are a bit pop sciency. Idk why people say they like Lolita.
> Idk why people say they like Lolita.
Why not read the pdf Pinker linked to then [0]. It's a very interesting psycho-analysis of a fictional character.
[0] https://www.dropbox.com/s/3y1c9mbe8x1v51y/Brown%20Lolita%20R...
Re: Spreadsheet of Steven Pinker’s book recommendations
#6Most of these are a bit pop sciency. Idk why people say they like Lolita.
He includes a link explaining why he likes Lolita. The only reason you don't know is because you didn't click the link and try to learn.
Or is "idk" your considered reply to the 7 page review?
Re: Spreadsheet of Steven Pinker’s book recommendations
#7Wonderfull! If only he added dates of release. Some of them are maybe truly timeless - but still.
Re: Spreadsheet of Steven Pinker’s book recommendations
#8My understanding is that although The Selfish Gene is undeniably brilliant, it's somewhat dated (which figures).
In particular I believe most modern evolutionary biologists don't put quite as much emphasis on the gene as the unit of evolutionary selection, the way Dawkins done.
Can anyone suggest a 'spiritual sequel'? Or am I just mistaken?
Edit I was surprised to see Daniel C Dennett in the list. Having those two chew things over would make for an awesome podcast. Pity.
Re: Spreadsheet of Steven Pinker’s book recommendations
#9Most of these are a bit pop sciency. Idk why people say they like Lolita.
There's an annotated version of Lolita that might help you understand its richness [1].
FWIW, Wikipedia states (with source) that "Many authors consider it the greatest novel of the 20th century".
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-679-7272...
Re: Spreadsheet of Steven Pinker’s book recommendations
#10My understanding is that although The Selfish Gene is undeniably brilliant, it's somewhat dated (which figures). In particular I believe most modern evolutionary biologists don't put quite as much emphasis on the gene as the unit of evolutionary selection, the way Dawkins done. Can anyone suggest a 'spiritual sequel'? Or am I just mistaken? Edit I was surprised to see Daniel C Dennett in the list. Having those two ch…
I recently re-read it and didn't find it dated. I suppose if you've taken in its lessons, then it over-emphasises its point a bit, but consider that (as Pinker points out) "its main point still needs to be made 40+ years later. Most journalists, psychologists, and intellectuals commenting on natural selection still write as if it acts for the good of the group or the species, without even realizing they have said anything problematic or contentious."
Also, the stuff on evolutionary stable strategies is very insightful and lucidly explained.