This book makes easier reading than “The Stuff of Thought”, but it’s also less informative. There are many speculations, but not enough evidence. Pinker doesn’t demonstrate exactly “how the mind creates language”, which is what the subtitle suggests and what I’m mainly interested in, but instead he expounds the theory of “Universal Grammar”, which was initially developed by Noam Chomsky. In a nutshell, the argument is that there are so […]
Read moreLatest Post
“Purple Cow” by Seth Godin
What I’ve Learned 1. Invest in developing remarkable products, not in mass advertising, as the potential customers are either too busy or too saturated to pay attention. 2. Target people with discriminating taste and enthusiasm to seek out and spread unique, extraordinary products. They are called “otaku” in Japanese. Not all customers are equal in this case. Otaku are the best, because they not only buy the product but also […]
Read more“No Ordinary Genius” by Richard Feynman and Christopher Sykes
This book complements Feynman’s autobiography “Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman” and sequel “What Do you Care What Other People Think” very well. It includes interviews from Feynman’s colleagues, family and friends, as well as himself, and gives the reader a more complete picture of the man and a life fully lived. Genius “Feynman’s great secret in solving the problem of quantum electrodynamics was that he developed this way to do […]
Read more“Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman” by Richard Feynman
One of the most delightful autobiographies I’ve ever read. It’s intelligent, hilarious, candid and fascinating. A colorful portrait of the curious, outrageous and brilliant character that is Richard Feynman. Almost like a combination of Sherlock Holmes and Thomas Sawyer. The thrill of puzzle-solving, the exotic adventures, the natural showoff, and great showmanship. What impressed me the most is his inexhaustible curiosity and desire to search out the wonders and beauty […]
Read more“What Do You Care What Other People Think” by Richard Feynman
A sequel to “Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman“, with a moving account of his loving relationship with his wife, who died in a hospital near Los Alamos where Feynman was working on the Manhattan Project. It also provides an insightful, fascinating account of Feynman’s significant role in the Challenger investigation. Childlike Curiosity “I’ve been caught, so to speak — like someone who was given something wonderful when he was a […]
Read more“Blessed Unrest” by Paul Hawken
In this book Paul Hawken not only provides a comprehensive overview of the environmental movement, but also reveals the connection between the environmental movement, the civil rights and indigenous movements. They are all defending the rights of life. When people all over the world are threatened by forces that destroy their livelihoods, such as poverty, corruption, pollution and injustice, they rise up and organize themselves to defend their rights. Man […]
Read more“The Homecoming” by Harold Pinter
When asked what his favorite play was, Harold Pinter would always say it was the Homecoming. “I like the shape of it. It has a kind of authority which I enjoy”. The scene is set in a family house. The family consists of a butcher (father), a boxer (brother), a pimp (brother) and a chauffeur (uncle). The eldest son, a professor of philosophy, comes home for a visit with his […]
Read more