Expand Your Mind - a list by gordon

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About this list:

I read many books, listen to lots of music, surf the Net, and watch lots of TV/documentaries/movies concurrently. Mostly I am into science, econ/finance, psychology/sociology, current events/history, and strategy/business. Occasionally, I come across a great epic novel or really quality sci-fi or some book or film that really blows my mind. I love to share when I find mind-expanding media.

Qualifications:

Media junkie. I don't watch much TV except for HBO and SHO.

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Viewing 41-50 of 59 Items

Sid Meier's Civilization IV

First to recommend

2 people recommended this item

Description

Sid Meier's Civilization IV is one great game. A classic of the "god game" genre, Civ4 lets you found and build an empire. You can win Civilization IV thru military dominance, economic/cultural dominance, or just have the high score at the end of the game. Civ4 can be played against the machine or against other people and it is HIGHLY addictive.

Meier's simulation of human history is, for a desktop consumer product, remarkably well thought out and complete. It captures a lot of the macro dynamics of history in a believable way and can teach the willing-to-learn player a lot about resource management, as well as human nature. Civ4 reminds me of some management training sims I played a few years ago that were published by, I think, Harvard Business School, only Civ4 is much more complex.

If you have (vainglorious) fantasies of omnipotence and like high-level strategy and resource allocation puzzles, definitely get a copy of Meier's classic. Civ4 is the most current version for the Mac.

Updated Dec 4, 2006

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KCRW 89.9FM

First to recommend

3 people recommended this item

Description

KCRW is hands-down my favorite radio station anywhere. They play a great mix of NPR and PRI (Public Radio, Inc) programming on the talk side, as well as produce a slew of their own terrific talk shows, most notably, Left Right & Center (which is a great podcast in case you can't hear it on the air).

But the real jewel in KCRW's crown is their music programming. KCRW produces a wide range of truly excellent music programming. My favorites include Nic Harcourt's "Moring becomes Eclectic", Nocturna (downtempo/after hours stuff), The Drop (uptempo and funk), Conections (electronica), and Metropolis (more electronica). Unfortunately, they don't currently offer these shows as podcasts which is a huge bummer (and, I suspect, probably because record labels won't let them)

If you like being exposed to a lot of interesting new music, as well as high IQ talk radio, definitely check out KCRW on air or get their podcasts. Since it is subscriber supported, I encourage you to donate to KCRW if you listen to them a lot. I am a KCRW Angel which means I give them a dollar/day for a year. TOTALLY worth it

Updated Nov 28, 2006

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Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell

14 people recommended this item

Description

Blink is another paradigm-changing book from Malcom Gladwell. Blink focuses on how and why people make quick decisions. Blink discusses the heuristics people have evolved biologically and culturally to help us navigate thru the myriad choices necessary in daily life.

Witty, breezy, and well researched/organized, Blink is a pleasure to read. If you are at all interested in how people think, Blink is essential reading (and is a great way to avoid having to read all the primary psychology and sociology research Gladwell nicely summarizes for his readers) (via cath)

Updated Nov 25, 2006

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WWF Adopt an Endangered Animal program

11 people recommended this item

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Instead of having one of those tacky stuffed panda's holding a box of overpriced and cheap tasting chocolate- be a real sweet heart and adopt an endangered animal. Thats a much better way to show some love on good old hearts day.

Updated Jan 30, 2007

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Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope

6 people recommended this item

Description

The first film that I ever adored completely. When the movie ended and I was sitting in the theater at seven years old, I refused to leave. That's the sort of sentiment I have towards Star Wars. A bit much, maybe, but a little nostalgia goes a long way.

Updated Oct 1, 2008

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The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle: A Novel (Vintage International)

5 people recommended this item

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Wind Up Bird Chronicles is one strange but terrific book. It is a weird tale of existential angst and isolation in modern Japan but peppered w/various flashbacks and other side vignettes. (The Mongoliasection is particularly potent)

Highly recommended for those who like inventive, twisted, but very smart and enduring novels (via kxgen)

Updated Nov 18, 2006

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Shantaram: A Novel

First to recommend

3 people recommended this item

Description

A big, sprawling, beautifully written semi-autobiographical novel about the author's real-life experiences as he escapes prison in Australia, seeks refuge in Bombay, opens a free medical clinic, and joins the Indian mob. A great adventure story w/some sparkling insights about life.

Not for those who are not willing to commit to a longer read. Personally, I think the only novels worth the time tend to be epics, but that is just me. (via marikohirakawa)

Updated Aug 23, 2006

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Accelerando by Charles Stross

First to recommend

3 people recommended this item

Description

an absurdist, hard sci-fi look at what the singularity might be like, sentient lobsters and all. Highly recommended though the quick-cut writing style can be a little difficult to get used to

Updated Aug 19, 2006

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The Magus by John Fowles

First to recommend

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This is truly a mind-blowing novel. An existential thriller, it is the story of a young Englishman ensared in a the weird world of a reclusive millionaire on a Greek island in the 1950's. This book, has it all: sex, violence, love, intrigue, and probing questions/insights about the human condition and morality in general. Philosophy pumped up on adrenaline.

If you have a brain and like to have your assumptions challenged, this book will not disappoint.

Updated Jan 10, 2006

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The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less by Barry Schwarz

First to recommend

2 people recommended this item

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The Paradox of Choice is a must-read introduction to decision theory and consumer behavior/psychology. We live in a world of approximately 60 millions consumer skus. This amount of overchoice can be paralyzing and negatively impact both consumers and businesses trying to serve them. Schwarz does a great job of breaking down the problem and showing some potential paths forward. Highly recommended if you want to grok how we think about making decisions.

Updated Sep 8, 2006

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Viewing 41-50 of 59 Items

gordon

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I am the CEO and co-founder of ThisNext. I am a serial net entrepreneur and have all the baggage that goes along...

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