Monthly Book Bites: April 2023

PSYCHOeffects. 50 psychological phenomena that affect your life.

Author: Kamil Zieliński
My rating: 7.5/10

A solid book in the form of a cross-section of the most important psychological phenomena. As a fan of psychology, I had doubts whether I should read it – I know most of the described studies, but I quickly realized that it was worth it. The author presents in a very accessible way how the phenomena have a direct impact on our lives in very practical examples.

Many examples allowed me to look at something I knew from a completely new perspective.

The Problem of Increasing Human Energy

Author: Nikola Tesla
My rating: 7.5/10

Nikola Tesla’s essay, “The Problem of Increasing Human Energy,” presents a forward-thinking vision on enhancing human energy capacity for societal advancement. Tesla suggests three strategies: boosting energy intake, improving energy efficiency, and reducing forces opposing human energy output.

He discusses harnessing solar, wind, and geothermal energy, and predicts the advent of an ‘ideal future fuel,’ likely hinting at nuclear power. Tesla stresses the potential of wireless energy transmission to reduce waste and increase global interconnectivity.

Lastly, Tesla emphasizes the role of automation to relieve humans of manual labor, leading to efficiency gains. This essay encapsulates Tesla’s visionary ideas, suggesting a future where humans effectively harness and manage energy, leading to significant societal progress.

The God Delusion

Author: Richard Dawkins
My rating: 8.3/10

Dawkins, a well-known evolutionary biologist, uses a rational and scientific approach to argue that belief in God is a delusion. He proposes that the existence of God is improbable and that religious faith qualifies as a delusion, which he defines as a persistent false belief held in the face of strong contradictory evidence.

In the book, Dawkins critiques the argument of Intelligent Design and the idea that morality requires a divine presence, suggesting instead that morality can be explained through evolutionary biology and sociology.

The book also presents alternatives to traditional religious morality, promotes atheism and secular humanism as healthier frameworks for ethical conduct, and asserts that children should not be labelled by their parents’ religion.

Rework

Author: Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
My rating: 8 /10

“Rework” is a book by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, the founders of the software company Basecamp. Published in 2010, it presents a new perspective on business and work, challenging traditional norms and encouraging a lean, efficient approach.

Fried and Hansson argue against the need for long hours, large teams, and excessive planning, suggesting that they often hinder more than they help. They propose an alternative approach that prioritizes working smarter, not harder.

Very strong position, even after many years. They were showing that you can work remotely even before covid. Definitely one of must have for every entrepreneur

Truth: A Brief History of Total Bullsh*t.

Author: Tom Phillips
My rating: 7/10

After reading “Humans: A Brief History of How We F*cked It All Up,” I immediately checked the author’s other positions and thus I am already halfway through.

The author interestingly shows the essence of the problem of lying. If a lie were the opposite of the truth, it would be easy to identify; however, while the truth is often singular, its opposite can be a million different lies.

Phillips, a fact-checker and journalist, delves into numerous examples from history, politics, science, and popular culture, highlighting how falsehoods have shaped human society. He discusses how, despite the availability of more information than ever before, humans are still susceptible to believing and spreading falsehoods.

Easy and very pleasant read.