July 2025 – Ryan's Book Blog

What to Think About Machines that Think

July 30, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2015, “What to Think About Machines that Think” is a collection of essays edited by John Brockman in which leading scientists, philosophers, engineers, and writers explore the implications of artificial intelligence and machine learning. The contributors offer a wide range of perspectives on whether machines that can think will enhance or threaten human civilization, with topics spanning ethics, consciousness, intelligence, creativity, and societal impact. Some essays warn of existential risks while others emphasize the potential for AI to augment human capabilities. The book does not present a unified view but instead encourages readers to grapple with complex, sometimes conflicting ideas about the role of thinking machines in our future.

My Thoughts

This was a very interesting read to hear what we were thinking about machine thinking a decade ago. Oh, how things have changed…

Still, most of the existential fears still exist and are only augmented by the leaps made in recent years by a largely uninformed public. As I write this, we are creating courseware to teach AI concepts to the novice user on a mass scale. This has likely colored my thinking as I was reading through the book.

The benefits are plain and the abilities we are handed on a silver platter are downright amazing. However, it will take nothing away from the simple fact that we, as the users, still need to think. We still need to understand what tool we are using and the repercussions of the use of that tool. To quote Dr. Jordan Peterson when speaking on the subject of man’s ability to be terrible, “Just because we can bite, doesn’t mean that we should.” I feel the same with respect to AI. There will be bullies and victims. There will be fallout from short-sighted endeavors and actions. However, we will have to wrestle with the implications of this new augmentation of our Information Age.

Recommendation

Dated but a great read for comparison

Code Dependent: Living in the Shadow of AI

July 28, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2024, “Code Dependent: Living in the Shadow of AI” by Madhumita Murgia explores how artificial intelligence is already shaping lives around the world, often without consent or awareness. Drawing on global case studies, the book examines the social, economic, and political impact of AI systems on ordinary people, particularly those marginalized by race, class, or geography. Murgia highlights how decisions once made by humans, such as hiring, policing, and access to welfare, are increasingly delegated to algorithms, leading to outcomes that can be opaque, biased, and difficult to contest. Through personal stories and investigative reporting, the book reveals how individuals are monitored, categorized, and sometimes harmed by systems designed to optimize efficiency or profit, raising critical questions about accountability and human rights in a digital age.

My Thoughts

I’m not really sure what the public sees so I’m not certain if the content was public knowledge or not. I’ve been following this topic pretty closely for years so none of it came as shocking as I believe the author may have expected. There certainly is global inequality in pay and safety. I am fortunate to live in the United States and my quality of life is amazing. That is easily taken for granted, which is why I’m a huge proponent of people traveling, more particularly the young adults.

What I believe was missing from the narrative is, what would have been better for these people? There are several case studies in the book about people who are barely making ends meet and who have been taken advantage of by the evil corporation. Yet, each one of them wants to keep their job. There isn’t a better alternative and while I’m certain they would love to paid more, the fact is they are willing to work for the pay they are offered. Since most of this work gets contracted and subcontracted down to the lower levels, the evil corporation has very little to do with their pay. They could easily double or triple what they pay for the same service and the money would never reach that worker. The middle men will happily take the difference and turn around and ask for more.

I honestly believe we are living at one of the best times in history in terms of human rights and quality of life. However, it isn’t equal. It isn’t fair. I believe it will get better, but it will come slowly over time.

Regardless, these issues need to come to the forefront of our collective consciousness. It is important these stories are told so we can move on to bigger and better. There really is no free lunch so the amazing benefits we reap today had to have come from somewhere.

Recommendation

A little heavy handed but not bad.

Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old

July 12, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in January 14, 2025, Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman by Brooke Shields is a memoir in which the actress reflects on entering middle age and challenges prevailing cultural attitudes toward women of her age. Through candid storytelling, Shields explores personal milestones, including her experiences as a child star, her marriage and divorce, health struggles like a grand mal seizure, and her evolving identity as a mother of adult daughters, while weaving in research on ageism, women’s health, and midlife empowerment. She critiques societal invisibility of women over fifty, recounts both intimate and painful events, such as inappropriate remarks from doctors and harassment in Hollywood, and celebrates newfound confidence, autonomy, and perspective.

Brooke Sheilds is Not Allowed to Get Old

My Thoughts

This book was OK. I’m not really much of a Brooke Shields fan but I was interested in what she had to say. I didn’t know this was her 3rd book, but given the subject matter of the first two, I was glad I started with this one.

Like many child celebrities, she seemed to have a hard childhood full of uncommon and uncomfortable experiences. Her narrative of how she used to be a people pleaser and now just doesn’t care seemed to be a little over the top and I felt like she was trying to persuade herself more than anything. Several of her stories made me want to dig into it more as they felt one sided or possibly misunderstood.

While I have nothing against her and wish her all the success in her ventures, I came away from the book a little less impressed than I was before.

Recommendation

I’d skip this one.

Resolute: How We Humans Keep finding Ways to Beat the Toughest Odds

July 8, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2023, Resolute: How We Humans Keep finding Ways to Beat the Toughest Odds by Benjamin Hall is a memoir that follows the author’s recovery after being severely injured in a 2022 missile strike while covering the war in Ukraine as a Fox News correspondent. Building on his earlier account in Saved, this book expands on the physical and emotional challenges he faced after the attack, including the loss of limbs and the deaths of colleagues. Hall shares how acts of bravery, sacrifice, and support from family, military personnel, and medical teams helped him fight to return home and rebuild his life. The narrative underscores the enduring human capacity to persist through extreme adversity.

My Thoughts

I enjoyed the book. I honestly haven’t heard the story so I was able to hear it from the author’s perspective without preconceived notions. Much of what he went through was horrendous, but the take away message was clear. If you have the right attitude, you can get through just about anything.

Hall used terms that really resonate with me, like post traumatic growth and just plain having a positive mindset. I have witnessed so many people become derailed at the first speed bump in their lives and others that seem to sail over just about anything to get to their goal. I’d much rather be one of the latter.

Recommendation

Great book and worth the read.