The MANIAC by Benjamin Labatut

Intelligence is not a curse, and anything which comes out of it can be judged in the retrospective.

John von Neumann was a curious mind which tried to answer anything that was asked. A lot of current technological advances from quantum mechanics, nuclear weapons to game theory were influenced by his work. 

However, one problem with the book is that it is work of fiction based on facts. It is a problem because a reader who is not attentive enough may end up taking some fiction for the facts.

A lot of discoveries in science are actively industrialised. The key argument for this is that the business pays the bill for a lot of these researches, and not all of them turn profitable. This is not very valid argument but works well to lobby in favour of commercialisation without taking into the account of consequences, and responsibility.

We're proud of what we've built but we never know what was the real cost of it until all the currencies seem invalid in the face of consequences.

Peace

The Cost of Living by Deborah Levy

I didn't know that this is the second book in the series of a working autobiography which led to some loose ends.

It is a quick read, and focuses on one phase of author's life. I didn't read the part 1 (planning not to) but with the sequencing, it seems that part 3 will be about later part of her life.

Why do we need to think about life in terms of business? Is life a business where we make the choices in terms of what we earn out of it, and if it is then what is the currency of this business? Is it a trade off? Every life is worth talking about but not be judged in terms of how much the life was invested in, and paid for. Not even in a metaphorical terms.

Love

Talking Zen by Alan Watts

This is a compilation of talks by Alan Watts about the elements of Zen.

It is difficult to understand from a book because it needs to be taught in practice. So, if you read this and not interested enough to read more or practice maybe read again, and decide.

Peace