Titled "The Really Big One", Kathryn Schulz manages to not only smoke questionable mind sets out of the woodwork, but has also published a superbly researched & written account of what will occur when the Big One hits not just California, but Cascadia. An easily accessible, recommended read for all, particularly those residing in the Pacific Northwest, west of Interstate 5, &/or those interested in geology.
Nick Bostrom's Superintelligence: Paths, dangers & strategies. Technology aside, there's serious philosophical discussions to be had when contemplating artificial general intelligence. Even the likes of self-driving cars begs multiple Trolly Problems. Should we program cars to swerve away from a child running across the road? If so, should it swerve to the left, towards the elderly person? Or to the right, towards the middle aged person? Fascinating book.
Though a podcast rather than a book, those of you who enjoy history should check out Dan Carlin's Hardcore History. One of the best podcasts I've come across of late.
I'm desperately wanting to read 'Islam & the future of tolerance: A Dialogue', by Maajid Nawaz & Sam Harris, which I ordered 3 weeks ago. However it still seems to be temporarily out of stock. The Nathan is close to inducing lighting upon the people.
Several hours ago I finished 'Icarus Fallen' by French Philosopher Chantal Delsol. As the title alludes it concerns the condition of Icarus had he survived the fall, wherein Icarus portrays modern European man. A beautiful, contemplative piece. Also, late last week, I finished both James Nestor’s 'Deep', & Jon Krakauer’s 'Into Thin Air'. There's something incredibly euphoric & tranquillising, yet fevered & grating anent the mindset required, & the emotional landscape found while mountaineering above 2,400 metres, or while submerged 120 meters below. An intoxication, a bewitched hypnosis of sorts, embedded somewhere between madness & determination.