Stewart Brand
Environmentalist and founder of the Whole Earth Catalog, promoting sustainability and futurism.
78 books recommended
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Daniel Kahneman
Explores the two systems of human thought—fast, intuitive thinking and slow, deliberate reasoning—analyzing how biases shape decisions and behavior.
Meditations
Marcus Aurelius
A series of personal writings by the Roman Emperor, reflecting on the practice of Stoic philosophy.
The Better Angels of Our Nature
Steven Pinker
Argues that violence has declined over time and discusses the reasons behind the trend towards a more peaceful society.
Finite and Infinite Games
James Carse
Discusses the distinction between finite games (with clear winners and losers) and infinite games (focused on ongoing play and evolution).
Tao Te Ching
Lao Tzu
A foundational text of Taoist philosophy, offering profound insights on life, balance, and harmony.
Guns, Germs, and Steel
Jared Diamond
Examines the factors that have shaped human history, including geography, biology, and culture.
Brave New World
Aldous Huxley
A dystopian novel that explores the consequences of technology, consumerism, and state control on society.
The Singularity Is Near
Ray Kurzweil
Predicts the future of technology and humanity, focusing on the concept of technological singularity.
A Pattern Language
Christopher Alexander
A practical guide to designing spaces that foster human connection and well-being.
The Odyssey
Homer
An ancient Greek epic poem detailing Odysseus’s journey home, exploring themes of perseverance, adventure, and heroism.
Scale
Geoffrey West
Examines the underlying mathematical principles governing growth and sustainability in organisms, cities, and companies.
The Prince
Niccolò Machiavelli
A classic treatise on political power, exploring strategies for gaining and maintaining control.
The Oxford Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
A complete collection of Shakespeare’s plays, with analysis and commentary on language, themes, and cultural impact.
What Technology Wants
Kevin Kelly
Explores technology as a self-evolving force, discussing its development, impact, and future trajectories.
The Iliad
Homer
An ancient Greek epic poem about the Trojan War, exploring themes of honor, heroism, and fate.
A Short History of Nearly Everything
Bill Bryson
A humorous and accessible exploration of science, covering topics from cosmology to geology to genetics.
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
Edward Gibbon
A comprehensive history of the Roman Empire's decline, examining the causes behind its fall and lasting influence.
The Epic of Gilgamesh
Anonymous
An ancient Mesopotamian epic poem following the adventures of Gilgamesh, exploring themes of friendship, mortality, and heroism.
Triumph of the City
Edward Glaeser
Explores how cities drive economic growth, innovation, and cultural development, and argues for urban density.
The Gift
Lewis Hyde
Examines the nature of creativity and art as a gift economy, exploring how creativity enriches culture.
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