Education – Page 5 – Ryan's Book Blog

Brief Answers to Big Questions

December 9, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Published in October of 2018, just a few months after the author’s death, Brief Answers to Big Questions is a book from one of the most recognizable scientists of our time. Hawking shares his thoughts on; Space, AI, Power, Gene Editing, Earth, God, and others along with what made him famous, Black Holes.

My Thoughts

I didn’t know what to think about this one. However, I’m glad I read it. I enjoyed his view on a number of subjects and I thought he treated them with respect I hadn’t seen in some of his past writing. Most of the subject matter has been covered again and again but this work took them slowly and methodically as opposed to some quick sound bites.

Recommendation

It was worth the read.

Flatland

November 25, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

First published in 1884, Flatland has been expanding the thoughts of readers for nearly a hundred and fifty years. It is the story of what happens when a two dimensional world discovers a world of three dimensions. It also tries to give us a framework of how we might start to conceive of yet another dimension beyond what we know.

My Thoughts

I remember my friend Chris trying to explain this to me back in the 90s. He was so excited by the concepts and I was interested. Just obviously not interested enough to bother to read the book. It was exciting to read. There was a lot of time and attention given to how the land of one dimension must work. Also how the land of two dimensions would try to cope with what we see as such a huge disadvantage. Part of the charm of the book is it does a good job of showing us how we may be horribly limited and yet not know it.

Recommendation

A great read for everyone

12 Essential Scientific Concepts

November 20, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Scientist and Opra star Dr. Indre Viskontas, shares her knowledge in a series of 24 lectures about science. Her upbeat and detailed lecture style helps the subject matter become more accessible and entertaining to learners. Published in 2014, these lectures go a step further than most classrooms.

My Thoughts

This was a very well done lecture series. I consider myself to be fairly well versed in the basics of science. Yet, I found myself lost from time to time as she went a little deeper than I had heard before.

Some concepts need time to sink in and work through. I believe I went too fast through this lecture to really get everything out of it. It did spark some interest to go back some of the chemistry and theoretical physics which I haven’t refreshed in some time. I found myself very rusty in these concepts.

Recommendation

A good lecture. Not for the beginner.

Gulp

November 12, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Published in 2013, Gulp is just under 400 pages detailing the trip food makes through a human and the stops in between.

My Thoughts

Mary Roach is an engaging writer who makes snarky comments as she goes about her descriptions. In short, I enjoyed it. The subject matter wasn’t as new to me as perhaps I was expecting. There were some side information like Elvis’s colon which I hadn’t hear but that wasn’t really what I came for. Still, I felt the book was well done and I enjoyed it.

Recommendation

It is worth the read.

Seven Brief Lessons on Physics

October 29, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Published in 2014, this 94 page book talks about; relativity, quantum mechanics, the architecture of the cosmos, elementary particles, quantum gravity, black holes and how we fit in.

My Thoughts

This book went by in a flash. The science part was good but I could have done without the narrative toward the end.

Recommendation

Interesting but I won’t be reading it again

How to Stay Human in a Fd up World

September 30, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

A relatively new book, this was published in July of 2019 by Tim Desmond who was one of the organizers of the “Walk on Wallstreet”. He currently leads a team at Google helping others with emotional support.

My Thoughts

This book wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. As an “esteemed Buddhist”, I felt Mr. Desmond had a lot of anger still left in him. Perhaps it was simply rhetoric to connect with the younger audience but it wasn’t what I was expecting.

Recommendation

I would pass on this one.

The Power of Habit

September 20, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

The power of habit was published in 2012 and outlines habits as consisting of three elements: a cue, a routine, and a reward. It gives some history as to when these principalities started being used by companies and gave some ideas as to how they are being used today.

The book also spends some time discussing how someone can change their own habits.

My thoughts

In general, I liked the book. I think some concepts were forced into the theory put forward but on the whole, It seemed like it was well written and gave some good ideas about how to go about change in life.

Recommendation

Not a bad book.

You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?!

July 27, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

This is a book about coping with Attention Deficit Disorder both as a child and as an adult.

You Mean I'm Not Lazy Stupid or Crazy — You Mean I’m Not Lazy Stupid or Crazy

My Thoughts

This book was a little hard to get through in that it assumes the reader to have A.D.D. I have not be diagnosed with it nor do I expect to be. However, it is interesting to see where the author took the book and what was important.

Recommendation

A good read if you have A.D.D.

Wait, What?

July 26, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Wait, what? is a book about asking questions. It seeks to teach us there is always a little more to know and little deeper to probe. Above all, there is no “right” answer.

My Thoughts

This book was hilarious. It was a very fun read and a reminder that it is ok to question. In fact, it is a good idea to question so you know what is going on. This is something I will try to remember and implement going forward.

Recommendation

Thumbs up! A great read.

Everything is F*cked

July 10, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Mark Manson remixes; Jung, Nietzsche, and others to bring some idea as to why the world seems as messed up as it is. Released in May of 2019, the book has met with great success.

My Thoughts

This book had me thinking again about what is important and why do I do the things I like to do. I feel like I am a centered person. I feel like I’m fair and do things for the “right” reason. Particularly inspiring was the comment in the book about how children, adolescents and adults see morality. Children do it because they are told to and fear being caught. Adolescents see things as more of a transaction. Adults do things because it is the right thing to do. These aren’t new thoughts but they are worth repeating. It is scary how often I find myself falling into the adolescent or even childlike patterns of behavior.

Recommendation

A worth while read. If you haven’t read much philosophy, some of the ideas expounded upon could be new and even challenging for a religious person.