Reality in Ubik is tenuous and exists in multiple frustrating and dream-like forms. A goal is always out of reach and the characters keep sinking fartReality in Ubik is tenuous and exists in multiple frustrating and dream-like forms. A goal is always out of reach and the characters keep sinking farther back, seemingly trapped. PKD deserves a lot of credit for giving everybody a sneak peak at microtransactions.
Edit: Upgrade to 5 stars. I needed a few things to ferment. Extra star for the writing that evoked such distinct, powerful feelings. I loved the delicious confusion, anxiety, and frustration pulling me along to find out wtf is happening....more
This book is re-writing certain parts of my brain right now and not in the way you might think. It got me thinking about whether or not habits are gooThis book is re-writing certain parts of my brain right now and not in the way you might think. It got me thinking about whether or not habits are good to form. It caused a little cognitive dissonance and the pieces may never neatly settle.
On one side - Helpful Habits which improve productivity, health, and any other goal we want to achieve.
On the other side - Healthy Anti-Habits which help develop more mindfulness, neuroplasticity and fight against the rapidity of perceived time passage which increases with each year of life. Essentially, doing the same things the same way over time gets you into a rut and perceived time passes faster.
The anti-habit crowd essentially says we need to break out of the zombie-mode of daily life for the health of our brain. * Neuroplasticity development by breaking patterns (e.g., choosing a different route to work every day or using a non-dominant hand) to rewire new pathways. This helps the brain to stay healthy, adaptable, and may ward against Alzheimer's and other insults. * Perceived time passage - We all feel time passing faster and faster as we age (Where has the summer gone?) Mitigate this by mindfulness, breaking patterns, and constantly doing new things. * Mindfulness - The fight for focus and awareness of the now. Maybe the least dissonant, but certainly somewhat contrary to automated behavior.
These anti-habits are fundamentally at odds with habit formation which relies on repetitive zombie-brain behavior. I know there is probably a balance here, but most of us are slaves to our habits and struggle to incorporate healthy anti-habit behavior. I am beginning to see Atomic Habits as a way to make the best of the bad situation which is our modern lifestyle.
TLDR: Modern life forces most of us into unhealthy, repetitive patterns, so we might as well use this to our advantage. Atomic Habits can definitely help....more
DC v. Heller (2008) guaranteed the individual citizen's right to keep and bear arms independent of the prefatory militia clause. Gunfight chronicles tDC v. Heller (2008) guaranteed the individual citizen's right to keep and bear arms independent of the prefatory militia clause. Gunfight chronicles the events ushering Dick Heller's case to the Supreme Court, the arguments presented, and the aftermath. If you are interested in the current state of gun politics in the US, start here....more
With a firm and skilled touch, Liu Cixin deftly took me in hand and forcefully updated my Operating System. And I loved every moment. He shifted my paWith a firm and skilled touch, Liu Cixin deftly took me in hand and forcefully updated my Operating System. And I loved every moment. He shifted my paradigms, trampled my assumptions, and shoved my hubris right in my face, saying, "Oh, you think you understand the Fermi Paradox? You thought time-windows and distance was the Answer that separated your reality from danger? Well, did you think about THIS?"
I cannot place a high enough value on this series of books. I will be thinking about Remembrance of Earth's Past until the heat death of the universe.
I loved this hard. As I downed my second glass of bourbon (a charmingly-named Old Tub), I felt warm, liquid affection for all you amazing people who rI loved this hard. As I downed my second glass of bourbon (a charmingly-named Old Tub), I felt warm, liquid affection for all you amazing people who read this book. I mean, really, how many people are down for hours of reading about Fermi Paradox-level cosmic hijinks? Cheers to you.
As Solaris, the planet, presents a mirror to humanity, so too does the novel hold a mirror to the reader. How does one react to the unknowable? AccordAs Solaris, the planet, presents a mirror to humanity, so too does the novel hold a mirror to the reader. How does one react to the unknowable? According to Mr. Lem, we marvel for a moment and then withdraw back into the limited experience of being human.
On discovering the living ocean on Solaris, humanity devotes years of intense study and speculation creating competing schools of theory developing their own schisms within. Many years later, Solaris fades to the mundane and intense curiosity has dwindled to 3 humans inhabiting a single lonely outpost floating above the god ocean.
Each of the men on the station are gifted miracles, but they are deeply personal troubling life experiences made manifest. The men can't understand the divine so they helplessly accept what is given and move on. When the miracle is withdrawn, all thoughts of the future are abandoned in hope of a return.
I read the original translation for the original experience which elevated this novel to classic status. I found the concepts not especially challenging, but difficult to engage. Maybe one day in the future I will revisit the mirror of Solaris in the newer translation....more
I listened to this audiobook while I was walking, maybe a little too proud of myself. Heading down the sidewalk I rolled a few pithy summaries around,I listened to this audiobook while I was walking, maybe a little too proud of myself. Heading down the sidewalk I rolled a few pithy summaries around, but none really landed. "Walking good. Not walking, bad". I realized this book needs two summaries beyond my ability to pith:
1. Technical - Long sections about every single reason why walking is good for you starting with your first genetic ancestor ape that said, yep, now I'm a biped. A+ That is the core strength of this book and I liked this! The crucible of evolution constructed impressive walking software with deep connections to almost every part of the brain - coordination, timing, predator/prey threat analysis, prediction, planning and social functions. There is a lot to ooh and aah about here. You will be fun at parties. Speaking of...
2. Fun - The magic of books! getting you into a flow state excited to go forward - D- That is not the core strength of this book.
In conclusion, I totally recommend reading this sitting on the couch with a drink and some string cheese....more
"Oh yeah, Fool's War. I totally remember liking that book back in, what, 1998? Damn, no Wiki entry to summarize. What the hell? 4 stars and a meta-rev"Oh yeah, Fool's War. I totally remember liking that book back in, what, 1998? Damn, no Wiki entry to summarize. What the hell? 4 stars and a meta-review it will be."
Cruising around Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, I'm constantly reminded that I've read books in the past but have forgotten almost everything about the experience. I'm rebuilding a library based on memory, associations and reminders. I envy future generations that will find it impossible to forget anything in a well-archived life. I have a few things I would love to Life Google.
I found this a real chore to read and I partially blame myself. I try to avoid most information about a book before I read, so I will consider this a I found this a real chore to read and I partially blame myself. I try to avoid most information about a book before I read, so I will consider this a lesson learned. The basic description of the book spun up my imagination with something a little more exotic, a little more science fiction. But what I got was a YA/NA, mostly-fantasy Hunger Games'ish, haunted gothic manor locked room mystery with a puzzle/key-reward system. Not my favorite genres, but that's my problem. Caveat Emptor.
That being said, I enjoyed the author's crackling writing style and the relationship between Gideon and Harrow. There is a spark of interesting potential here, so I reserve the right to begrudgingly read the sequels in the future out of morbid curiosity....more
**spoiler alert** 3 stars for execution, but 5 for the foot on the gas pedal fever dream utopia that results from not being able to lie about eating t**spoiler alert** 3 stars for execution, but 5 for the foot on the gas pedal fever dream utopia that results from not being able to lie about eating that cookie...more
For me, this is the etched mark in the timeline of comics that divides all that came before, and those after forever informed by Frank Miller's alchemFor me, this is the etched mark in the timeline of comics that divides all that came before, and those after forever informed by Frank Miller's alchemy...more
Matt (Fully supports developing sentient AGI)
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