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More Book Recommendations
Will's post prompted me to follow his lead (since all the cool kids are doing it):
[1.] I echo Will's recommendation of The Scout Mindset, by Julia Galef:
A book about how and why to be rational—that is, to try to see the world as it is even if it isn't what we wish. (A "soldier mindset" is committed to fighting back against beliefs we don't currently hold; a "scout mindset" is committed to learning the truth about what's out there, even if it's bad news.) The book also demonstrates great sympathy for the emotional urges that make it hard for us to think clearly, using stories and examples ranging from the Dreyfuss Affair to the author's own love life. Important and maybe life-changing.
[2.] I also quite liked Neal Stephenson's new novel, Termination Shock, which is a technothriller more than science fiction (though it can technically be described as very near-future SF). And I further echo Will's recommendations of Andy Weir's Project Hail Mary and Martha Wells' Murderbot series, of which the latest book (Fugitive Telemetry) came out this year.
[3.] Moving from SF/SFish to fantasy (I suppose what would be called "urban fantasy," with police procedural thrown in), I continue to much enjoy Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London series, of which the latest (What Abigail Did That Summer) came out this year as well. And, though I haven't been able to get in to Ann Leckie's more famous books (such as Ancillary Justice), I much enjoyed her weird, wonderful fantasy The Raven Tower (2019, I know, but I just read it this year, so I thought I'd throw it in).
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I’d recommend Procedures in Experimental Physics, by John Strong.
Originally published in 1938, you might think it dated, but that’s what is really great about it, actually: Virtually all of the lab techniques it describes are capable of being accomplished at home; It’s a treasure trove of science faire projects!
Grinding telescope mirrors. Blowing glass. Using the glass blowing techniques to build high vacuum systems. Drawing fused silica fibers using a bow and arrow. It’s all in here.
Well, I have built two telescopes from glass blanks, a 6” by myself and an 8” Jr.H.S. (1961) science club project. Also in Jr.H.S. I was allowed to learn glass blowing, to the point of building to order condensers.
Science fair; Explorer Post sponsored by FMC San Jose built a hybrid rocket engine of IIRC polycarbonate and gaseous oxygen.
But, to the point of Neal Stephenson’s new novel, UGGH! I would that good and great authors consider carefully quitting while they are ahead. I have read and listened to *Anathem* many times.
People really need to be reminded that the weather system is a heat engine, and you don’t make an engine run faster by throwing a blanket over the radiator.
“the Dreyfuss Affair”
Professor, I believe his name is spelled “Dreyfus” with one “s.”
Like Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Conservation of Shadows by Yoon Ha Lee.
Thank you for the recommendations that I will use for my studies. I study at the Literature Faculty, and in order to get my degree, I need to write several papers on the science fiction genre. Thanks to the resource https://edubirdie.com/coursework-writing also so I can look up some templates for my coursework writing projects and I am more confident in my work now. I know the subject excellently, but help is needed, so before writing, I always look for additional resources of info in order to sure myself that I will have a positive result.