On Ask Metafilter, somebody asked a brilliant question: "What single book is the best introduction to your field for laypeople?"
People in all sorts of fields answered. Then the link got passed around, and it landed in my feed reader this morning. I checked out the link, saw that people in EE were recommending "Art of Electronics" and CS people were recommending the Wizard Book. I am now reassured. All the recommended books are going on my reading list, and this should keep me busy for the rest of the year. Yes!
Check out the full list.
Showing posts with label Links. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Links. Show all posts
Monday, April 07, 2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Why do I read blogs?
Blogs are a great way to exchange views with others whose opinions I respect. I can find out what they are thinking, maybe leave a comment or two or (this happens rarely) write a post in response to something I read.
But equally importantly, a daily dose of well-written blogs has the advantage that they refer to other material - often something well worth reading that I wouldn't have found on my own. Here's a sample of what I read today because someone else thought it was worth writing about.
But equally importantly, a daily dose of well-written blogs has the advantage that they refer to other material - often something well worth reading that I wouldn't have found on my own. Here's a sample of what I read today because someone else thought it was worth writing about.
- Presentation Zen. Garr Reynolds on presentation lessons from recent TED talks
- Dean Kamen shows off the Luke arm at TED
- How Green Was My Valley. Glenn Kelman, founder of Redfin and resident of Seattle, criticizes Silicon Valley
- An Outsider's Flawed View of Silicon Valley. Michael Arrington of TechCrunch responds to Kelman
- Free Speech and Radical Islam. Very thoughtful op-ed piece on WSJ.
- Six Principles for Making New Things. Paul Graham.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
On hungering for books
We live in a world where "busy" is arguably the most commonly used word. We spend hours at work. We spend hours in meetings and on email. We spend hours watching TV, or reading blogs or just surfing the net. We spend hours in bars, busy in meaningless conversation with people we will likely never meet again. We barely have time to acknowledge the existence of a world around us, let alone live in it.
There is another world where people desperately struggle for an education, for access to books. In that world, education is more important than food. Here, in the words of someone far more eloquent than I, is an introduction to that world.
Doris Lessing's Nobel lecture.
There is another world where people desperately struggle for an education, for access to books. In that world, education is more important than food. Here, in the words of someone far more eloquent than I, is an introduction to that world.
Doris Lessing's Nobel lecture.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
More fascinating stuff
The journey of mankind. Click here.
Note: Still on my history binge, will be back with posts soon. In the meantime, wouldn't it be fascinating if the information above could be combined with a language history of the world? Anyone know a website that does that?
Note: Still on my history binge, will be back with posts soon. In the meantime, wouldn't it be fascinating if the information above could be combined with a language history of the world? Anyone know a website that does that?
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Bad, bad powerpoint
Every consultant's favorite program - Powerpoint - just turned 20. Today's WSJ has a very nice article about it. On this occasion, I thought it would be useful to direct everyone to this article.
Seth is a writer I have a lot of respect for. Some of his recommendations clearly come from the marketing background, but they can be adapted and applied.
Seth is a writer I have a lot of respect for. Some of his recommendations clearly come from the marketing background, but they can be adapted and applied.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Is life one long rush hour?
Everyone must go here and read the article immediately.
The premise: Put one of the best living classical violinists, playing the most elegant music that has ever been written, on one of the best violins ever made (a Strad from the 1710s, if you must know) in front of a rush hour crowd.
The question: Does beauty get recognized?
Read the whole thing, it's worth the time.
The premise: Put one of the best living classical violinists, playing the most elegant music that has ever been written, on one of the best violins ever made (a Strad from the 1710s, if you must know) in front of a rush hour crowd.
The question: Does beauty get recognized?
Read the whole thing, it's worth the time.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
India Rising - order out of chaos?
Just found this fantastic video online.
In the last few years, everyone in the US has seen and heard and read ad nauseum about the Infosys campus and the call centers that are the symbols of the "New" and upcoming India. In this video, you can see, perhaps for the first time, beyond this hoopla. See the shantytowns in Bombay with Pentium PCs at work inside broken down hovels and the buzz of activity in a Delhi bazaar. You'll see young Indians making statements that may surprise many (for example, a young tutor says "A child in the 7th grade in India is at about the same level as a child in the 10th grade in the US"). I, for one, am not among the surprised.
India Rising.
Things seem to be finally getting to the point where the organized chaos that is India can be appreciated for what it is. And full credit to ABC for actually making an effort.
In the last few years, everyone in the US has seen and heard and read ad nauseum about the Infosys campus and the call centers that are the symbols of the "New" and upcoming India. In this video, you can see, perhaps for the first time, beyond this hoopla. See the shantytowns in Bombay with Pentium PCs at work inside broken down hovels and the buzz of activity in a Delhi bazaar. You'll see young Indians making statements that may surprise many (for example, a young tutor says "A child in the 7th grade in India is at about the same level as a child in the 10th grade in the US"). I, for one, am not among the surprised.
India Rising.
Things seem to be finally getting to the point where the organized chaos that is India can be appreciated for what it is. And full credit to ABC for actually making an effort.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Tom Sawyer and me
What do I have in common with Tom Sawyer? Among other things, we're not fans of Monday morning. He had his reasons, and mine is having to get up at 4AM to catch a plane.
And now, bright and early on a Monday, I'm hanging out in SFO. Why? The flight is delayed. Why? They don't have de-icing equipment in San Francisco, and the plane is frozen over.
So how is a plane de-iced? Carefully, I hope.
And now, bright and early on a Monday, I'm hanging out in SFO. Why? The flight is delayed. Why? They don't have de-icing equipment in San Francisco, and the plane is frozen over.
So how is a plane de-iced? Carefully, I hope.
Women without spouses
From the NYT of the day. I'm sure the content is interesting, but full marks on geekery (and zero for readability) for the title.
51% of women now live without spouse.
51% of women now live without spouse.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
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