The plan for Manuscriptions in 2026, plus a bunch of neat articles about science, history, technology, and literature. Deep dives on pen cap functionality, raccoon evolution, & sexy perfumes.
(1) I was disappointed that most of the books are self-help/health. There's a natural filtering where people in pain want a solution and will heap loads of praise on something that [appears to help/actually helps] them. Application is minimal for people without the same issue.
(2) Palantir execs also like Keith Johnstone's Impro? Not sure how to feel about this. It is one of my favorites as well and I have been evangelizing it since 2014. I wonder if I accidentally helped raise it to their awareness? From what I can see, it was something they only recently started recommending.
(3) Fountainhead over Atlas Shrugged? I guess the snarky comment would be "people who would like AS can't read a 1100 page book." I read both, among other Ayn Rand books, as a teenager when I was the most ready to buy the argument.
Perhaps the overall observation is that several context factors need to come together to make a book (feel) life-changing:
- reader's need
- relative uniqueness of the book's message
- effectiveness in communicating the message in a way that [feels/is] actionable
Love these posts! One book I think you'd find interesting is Human Impact on Ancient Environments by Charles L Redman. Some of the Easter Island discussions seems to have been contested recently but I still find the book to be both scientifically rigorous and engaging. Very good for grounding any apocalyptic fiction set in early human societies
A praise you for ensuring that you learnt so much from consuming so much. I am forever struggling with the balance of consuming and not actually learning.
May I ask what your system is for actually learning when reading?
My "system" for actually learning when reading is to use what I read. I tend to highlight and annotate with how I can use information, and revisit those notes in software like Readwise or Obsidian. Also, whenever I read an article to the end, I share it with friends in Discord for discussion. I try to integrate what I read with fiction ideas so that I'm toying with the information and manipulating it around the edges, which lets me solidify it in my brain -- for example how I "locked in" my understanding of medieval urban planning and the geography of the Hungarian plain with this bit outlining a scene from a story called Maven and the Border Lord.
Blows my mind to learn that Albuquerque is actually an uncredited parody. It has long been my favorite Weird Al song and I had always considered it an act of individual genius. Guess I have to learn more about The Rugburns.
Regarding life changing books:
(1) I was disappointed that most of the books are self-help/health. There's a natural filtering where people in pain want a solution and will heap loads of praise on something that [appears to help/actually helps] them. Application is minimal for people without the same issue.
(2) Palantir execs also like Keith Johnstone's Impro? Not sure how to feel about this. It is one of my favorites as well and I have been evangelizing it since 2014. I wonder if I accidentally helped raise it to their awareness? From what I can see, it was something they only recently started recommending.
(3) Fountainhead over Atlas Shrugged? I guess the snarky comment would be "people who would like AS can't read a 1100 page book." I read both, among other Ayn Rand books, as a teenager when I was the most ready to buy the argument.
Perhaps the overall observation is that several context factors need to come together to make a book (feel) life-changing:
- reader's need
- relative uniqueness of the book's message
- effectiveness in communicating the message in a way that [feels/is] actionable
Love these posts! One book I think you'd find interesting is Human Impact on Ancient Environments by Charles L Redman. Some of the Easter Island discussions seems to have been contested recently but I still find the book to be both scientifically rigorous and engaging. Very good for grounding any apocalyptic fiction set in early human societies
This seems right up my alley, I am making a note. Thank you so much for thinking of me and sharing it with me :D
A praise you for ensuring that you learnt so much from consuming so much. I am forever struggling with the balance of consuming and not actually learning.
May I ask what your system is for actually learning when reading?
My "system" for actually learning when reading is to use what I read. I tend to highlight and annotate with how I can use information, and revisit those notes in software like Readwise or Obsidian. Also, whenever I read an article to the end, I share it with friends in Discord for discussion. I try to integrate what I read with fiction ideas so that I'm toying with the information and manipulating it around the edges, which lets me solidify it in my brain -- for example how I "locked in" my understanding of medieval urban planning and the geography of the Hungarian plain with this bit outlining a scene from a story called Maven and the Border Lord.
https://pixelfed.social/p/eleanorkonik/914512757580431251
Thank you so much for the detailed response. It looks like you have the basis with Readwise/highlighting and sharing with others.
However, I like the supplementary part about fiction ideas. That's such a unique and exciting way to view it. Thanks again!
Blows my mind to learn that Albuquerque is actually an uncredited parody. It has long been my favorite Weird Al song and I had always considered it an act of individual genius. Guess I have to learn more about The Rugburns.
If this post ends up with you having a new album to review I'll consider it a win!
Thank you so much for the shout-out!
Thanks for writing the great post!