- The C Programming Language
- Principa Mathematica
Aren’t there some problems with the Principia from a modern perspective?
Possibly, probably, although I’m not sure tbh. I know that it’s very challenging to read in light of modern notation.
So let’s swap that for any Calculus textbook. I’m also open to swapping C for the Rust book.
TaoTe Ching
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Came here to say this.
In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.
This from the restaurant at the end of the universe is the most apt beginning of any religion.
I’m hungry.
My very first thought.
And every congressional hearing on UFOs should start with “Space is big. You just won’t believe how vastly, hugely…”
Very, very bigly.
Carl Sagan’s Demon Haunted World
Any book that teaches logic or critical thinking skills.
There is one called “The Scout Mindset” by Julia Galef. It’s an amazing resource when it comes to teaching critical thinking, because it gradually introduces the reader to the virtue of being able to change your mind/opinion based on new information. I think that’s a fundamental skill everyone needs in order to use critical thinking in a meaningful way.
Gödel Escher Bach?
Man in the search of meaning.
Lord of the Rings. Kind of already has! Plus it has the morality along with the narrative, which is a key feature of religious works.
Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman
Religion should be replaced with science and we can tribalize the differ fields of science.
The Physics vs Chemistry Wars will be brutal…
Yay, because what better than tribalized science?
I think philosophy is probably the closest substitute for religion/spirituality so some sort of education in that.
Mark Manson: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck
Most people need to chill. Religious ones especially.
Non hateful, badic philosophy introduction. Maybe how to be perfect by michael schur or some introduction to self development philosophies like Stoicism. That would immediately fix majority of the world’s problems.
Oh, The Places You’ll Go! By Dr Seuss
The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins. Everything you need to know about human behavior, motivations, history can be extrapolated from it.
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. Almost as long as a holy book…longer than many actually! This is the book with the most human wisdom wound in its pages I’ve ever read (though HHGTTG goes toe to toe with it and is a hell of a lot funnier!)
