Blog

Book: The Space Child's Mother Goose

Nursery rhymes updated for relativity and quantum mechanics, with illustrations by Marian Parry.

Book: Dreaming in Code

A well-written account of the ups and downs of one software project (Mitch Kapor’s Chandler).

Rosenberg mixes developer interviews and first-hand accounts of the project in action with asides on the history of software development and the state of the industry today.

Book: Mel Bay's Complete Country Blues Guitar Book

A nice collection of country blues tunes spanning a wide range of styles, keys, and tunings.

Book: Nothing's Sacred

Love that Lewis Black.

Book: No Two Alike

Harris elaborates her theory on how and why each person develops a unique personality (even identical twins). But first she pauses to consider, then demolish, rival theories. The pause takes up the first two-thirds of the book and makes for great reading. The theory itself seemed somewhat light on the details.

Book: Beyond Contact

This is an unusual book, I’m not sure how it got on my reading list. Mr. Heck believes that he has been in contact with alien beings for some 30 years and is writing to help other ‘contactees’ cope with the experience.

The book is subtitled ‘A Scientific and Unbiased Guide for Communicating With Alien Intelligence’. The author doesn’t seem to grasp the distinction between scientific evidence and other forms, such as hearsay. He often cites uncorroborated testimony as if it is undeniable proof of fact. It’s not clear why Heck would want his book to be scientific either, as he dismisses science and scientists throughout the text.

Book: Year's Best Fantasy 6

A collection of recent fantasy short stories. I bought this on a whim. My mistake. There are a few decent stories in here, surrounded by a lot of drek. I was glad to be done with it.

Book: The Mind Made Flesh

Some very fine essays on the evolution of the mind. I will definitely be reading more of Humphrey’s work.

Book: Spin

Whoah. Pretty darn good sci-fi.

Book: No Logo

Klein analyzes the rise of brand-centered corporations, including their impact on public space, culture, and the job market. She concludes with an account of some reactions against the global brands.