Sunday, February 26, 2017

12 books that Elon Musk recommends

Elon Musk is the new Steve Jobs. Arguably. I'm a big fan of Elon Musk and keenly follow what he says and what his companies are doing. I ran into a post that listed the 12 book that he recommends to read. The books are as fascinating as the man himself. Take a look.


1. Our Final Invention: Artificial Intelligence and the End of the Human Era by James Barrat
Been meaning to get educated on A.I.? This Huffington Post Definitive Tech Book of 2013 will help you grasp the far-reaching implications of artificial intelligence on human life and our world as a whole.

2. Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson
Based on newly released personal letters, this is an utterly engrossing, comprehensive biography of Albert Einstein. Why was he such a genius? Interestingly, Isaacson demonstrates that his incredible scientific imagination may have stemmed from his rebellious nature.

3. Structures: Or Why Things Don't Fall Down by J.E. Gordon
How do dams hold back thousands of gallons of water? Why don't suspension bridges collapse? What principles guide a kangaroo? Gordon gives jargon-free answers to these and other fascinating questions in funny, accessible ways.

4. Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie
Catherine rose from minor German princess to one of the most powerful women in history. In her time, she handled rebellion, wars, and the upheaval of political change instigated by the French Revolution. The Wall Street Journal called this book "a tale of power, perseverance and passion...a great story in the hands of a master storyteller."

5. If the Universe Is Teeming With Aliens...WHERE IS EVERYBODY? by Stephen Webb
There are around 400 billion stars in our galaxy alone, and an estimated 400 billion galaxies in the universe (that we know of so far). In a 14-billion-year-old cosmos, shouldn't there be a civilization at least as advanced as our own? This book seeks the truth about extraterrestrial life.

6. Tesla: Inventor of the Electrical Age by W. Bernard Carlson
This had to be on the list. Nikola Tesla revolutionized electricity, helped develop radio and television, and competed with Thomas Edison, yet his life ended in poverty. Learn how, why, and what we can learn from a remarkable inventor and man.

7. Foundation by Isaac Asimov
A science fiction classic based on a prophecy of a dark age of fear and war that will last 30,000 years. To preserve knowledge and save humanity, the protagonist brings together the greatest minds in the Empire (scholars as well as scientists) to a sanctuary planet at the edge of the galaxy, called the Foundation.

8. Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming by Naomi Oreskes
The history of science itself is equally as fascinating as the findings that come out of it. Merchants of Doubt takes on an extra urgency now, as Elizabeth Kolbert notes that it "finally put[s] to rest the question of whether the science of climate change is settled. It is, and we ignore this message at our peril."

9. The Wizard of Menlo Park: How Thomas Alva Edison Invented the Modern World by Randall E. Stross
Thomas Edison is arguably first great celebrity of the modern age. Known as "the Napoleon of invention," he brought the world the phonograph, incandescent light, and the first motion picture cameras. Or did he? His assistants and rivals may have had more to do with it than originally thought....

10. The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein
Heinlein won the Hugo Award for best novel a record-breaking four times. This acclaimed science fiction novel is widely considered his finest work--a haunting, inspiring, and ultimately galvanizing tale of rebellion, freedom, humanity, and love.

11. Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies by Nick Bostrom
The human brain is what sets us apart from other animals. But how exactly did it develop, and what vulnerabilities does it have? We may be clever, but that trait may also expose us to unique dangers to which we should pay close attention.

12. The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill: Defender of the Realm, 1940-1965 by William Manchester
When Churchill became prime minister, Great Britain faced Nazi Germany alone. This fascinating biography outlines how Churchill enlisted FDR to support his country, coordinated England's extraordinary military defense and response, and embodied the "never surrender" attitude that helped him turn the tide and ultimately triumph.

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Don't be angry

Found this on LinkedIn

"Don't be angry with the people who are smarter than you--it isn't their fault. Don’t be angry with people who are slow in catching up, they need your help. Don’t be angry with the bashing in social media, they are just mere opinions. Don’t be angry with those who are angry at you. You cannot control them. Just preserve your energy and concentrate on doing better and being better."

And this one is by me (and mostly for myself):
"Don't be angry with yourself; you too are a human; on a long journey dips are to be managed".

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Success Pyramid

John Wooden was a legendary coach at UCLA. He defines success as "Success is peace of mind attained only through self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do the best of which you are capable of". Take a look at his success pyramid that is so simple, yet profound. In this TED talk, he talks about the difference between succeeding and winning.

His three rules for the players that I found very interesting are:

1. Never be late
2. Not one word of profanity
3. Never criticise a teammate

His other 3s that is so profound are:

1. Don't whine
2. Don't complain
3. Don't give excuses
and just go out and give your best.

And here are his 17 famous Woodenisms.