Book Club
Welcome! Here you’ll find the books I read, videos I’ve watched, and articles I’ve read. These are the materials, which I firmly believe, would add great value to your life.
I became a serial reader only with C-19, before that I was an extremely mediocre reader. I started reading a range of genres — specifically, biographies, spirituality, self-help, productivity, history, startups, entrepreneurship ++ and gradually found my forte in a very few areas (listed below). Along with the book list, I prefer to share a series of thoughts I accumulated through these books. I intend to add more thoughts and revise these thoughts timely and contextually. In particular, I maintain these thoughts as a compass for myself. I reckon you will find my views thought-provoking.
What are the genres that I tend to read?
I’m mostly interested in books/ podcasts around computer science research, innovation, entrepreneurship, tech investments.
What is research?
My definition of research is inspired by my experiences in computer science research.
Research is about finding a solution for a hard problem where the answers are non-obvious (e.g. climate change, cancer research etc.). Research is about going from zero to one (innovate) and from there you can go from 1 to n (derivate). This means, there is no prior scientific work — hence in general terms, we have to start from zero. For example, let’s consider ‘climate change’ -the hard problem. Now let me derive a hard scientific question in terms of computer science with respect to climate change. One such question can be, “how to develop data system technologies that can integrate different earth observations data, at scale, so that myriad of stakeholders can use such a platform for decision making, planning, monitoring of countries, cities, urban areas etc.”
So for this sort of a deep profound hard question, there’s no obvious answer and there’s no one system that solves everything. Hence, a sort of system or sub-system has to develop from zero. At first, by its inherent nature (zero == no systems), the pace of the research work is slow. That’s where it requires a great deal of time spent on digesting the state-of-the-art-cause the novel research work ought to break the current state-of-the-art or extend the current state-of-the-art. Once this phase is done, we start working methodically and meticulously. The pace could be still slow. Nevertheless, as the journey progress, we compound the pace and the progress. Once hit 1 — where we develop a prototype system we further prove that the system deployed in many versions at various places etc. (1 to n). This entire process is about tiny bets (hypotheses) and winning the bets over a long period of time.
err…, slow? :O, long period? methodical? meticulous? :O, that doesn’t sound sexy as Silicon Valley’s golden principle (as most think)- “fail fast“. Basically, fail fast like premature ejaculation works in consumer-internet businesses — where human psychology is at the core of exploitation so that companies can sell their products to large swaths of the population. For example, companies such as Facebook, Instagram, WeChat, TikTok, embody this philosophy so that they can sell their products fast (btw, if the product is free, you are the product). But, that’s not how you solve cancer or climate change. Basically, for anything that really matters in your life, whether is family, friends, or research, fail fast does not apply. It’s purely for consumer-internet business or business relationships (my thoughts :P).
What is the difference between feedback and constructive feedback.
Feedback is about giving unbiased honest reviews. Based on the person this could be harsh. Constructive feedback is an art. Not everyone knows the art. Similar to feedback, constructive feedback is about providing unbiased honest reviews. Nevertheless, by (my) definition, it doesn’t involve a harsh tone or simply reviews. By (my) definition, it incorporates core human values. Constructive feedback is an incentive to the receiver. The person who gives the feedback explains why the receiver’s work is important and why it matters (incentive) and encourages the receiver to re-do the parts that are necessary. Additionally, the people might provide possible solutions, guidance, and mentorship. Without the element of incentive, it’s mere feedback.
Most of the self-help category books are best seller books. Each book address a particular aspect of human flaws/ mental models/ or psychology etc. These books delineate a series of examples from the real world and make a point around the human psychological aspects. Human psychology is quite a complex domain, hence, reading one book doesn’t guarantee much help in the long run. In the short run, maybe.
Psychology is something that trickles down to each individual differently. Because psychology is built on and continues to build on the environment- i.e. the family, culture, religion, friends, etc. Whether we admit it or not, our characters have been shaped tremendously over many years through these factors. While some characteristics could be of ‘gold standards’, some will need serious rectification to lead an honest self-gratifying meaningful life. This can require some serious rewiring of the brain. This might require reading of myriad of self-help books (there a quite a few books that I recommend, and they are listed under the TOP PICKS below), speaking with a few good friends/ mentors, counselors, etc. Interestingly, there will be no one size fit all model.
After reading a number of self-help books, particularly during the C-19 period, I realized that the best way to stay with clarity is to be aware of the present moment and to foster mindfulness. It will give us an opportunity to see things objectively rather than falling into a vicious automatic reaction cycle. For example, in today’s world, it can be hard to strike the work-life balance in certain periods. In such periods what we need is work-life awareness, cause work-life balance is arduous. Also, when we are mindful, according to my perspective, we can see things clearly with clarity. In order to be mindful, we have to be observant about the present environment and to take productive actions, we have to detach our emotions from the circumstances. At first, this is challenging, but with practice, weopenning can build this mental muscle. With the right practice, we can become rightfully emotionally expressive to our families, friends, and close circle. At the same time, to meticulously understand the present moment without being bias so that the growth can be planned and compound. It is a journey that needs to enjoy.
Books
Currently reading: “A short history of nearly everything” by Bill Bryson.
Top pics
- The Idea Factory: Bell Labs and the Great Age of American Innovation by Jon Gertner.
– this is a must-read book for every computer science student/ researcher. This shares the early research efforts in developing the transistor, radar technology, cellular technology and many more that lead to the information age. A fascinating read!
#computer science #research #innovation - Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight.
– Phil Knight- the co-founder and the chairman of Nike, Inc. is a remarkable storyteller. He takes readers through the roller coaster ride in entrepreneurship.
#entrepreneurship - Mindfulness in Plain English by Venerable Henepola Gunaratana
– Venerable Henepola Gunaratana ordained as a Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka. Having moved to the United States in 1968 to serve as general secretary of the Buddhist Vihara Society of Washington DC, Ven. Gunaratana pioneered massive work in cultivating Buddhism in the United States. This book shares very practical and methodical guidance on attaining mindfulness through mindful meditation. In addition, this book also shares comprehensive guidance on ‘compassion meditation’.
#Buddhism #mindfulness - Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration by Edwin Catmul — an American computer scientist who was co-founder of Pixar and president of Walt Disney Animation Studios. Catmul distils the wisdom of creating high value tech companies (particularly consumer-internet based).
- The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company by Robert Iger.
– This is a fascinating book of Bob’s journey in Waltz Disney, starting from the bottom to climbing up to the most prestigious position in the company.
#management #leadership - The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business by Erin Meyer.
– Once you read this book you’ll learn that Italians are very emotionally expressive, Japanese embody a culture of indirectness, and the difficulty in getting into the hearts of Danes, Germans, and Dutch. This book goes into the dimensions of leadership, collaboration, agreeing, negotiation, and other vital aspects of the business. Very eye-opening. You’ll able to maneuver through people of different backgrounds once you know the most rooted practices in their cultures. - Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Peter Thiel.
– Great insight on building valuable tech companies from one of the co-founders of Paypal. A big shoutout to Paypal Mafia. - The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness by Eric Jogerson.
– Naval Ravikant is an angel investor in the tech world. He combines two totally unrelated, yet fascinating fields together — technology and philosophy. A very down-to-earth capitalist with a golden heart. - “Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!”: Adventures of a Curious Character by Richard P. Feynman.
– Richard P. Feynmann will be one of the most humble and authentic academic figures that I’ll always admire. He pioneered a lot of scientific research in the Manhatton Project. For his profound contribution to the world of Physics, he was awarded the Nobel Prize. This book shares a lot of interesting aspects of this curious funny authentic character. Fabulous enjoyable read. - Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari.
– A very seminal book. I’ll guarantee to you that after you read this book, you’ll never look at the imagined realities such as religions, cultures in the same manner. - Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose by Tony Hsieh.
– Tony Hsieh is the founder of the e-commerce company Zappos which was bought by Amazon for 1 Billion Dollars. This book delineates the hardships Tony went through while making his online shoe empire. A lot of great insights were included. - Educated by Tara Westover.
– Very inspiring. Tara has born into a very religious orthodox extremely traditional dysfunctional family and she was homeschooled in her childhood. She always had a piece missing in her heart and to fill the part that is missing she had to leave her family. Despite the atrocities that she received from her own family, she determined to pursue studies and ultimately she earned a PhD. During these times, she attempted her best to maintain a good relationship with her family to the best of her capacity. - Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck.
– This book personally helped me a great deal to get through some really tough times (during C-19). I personally have trouble with imposter syndrome. Professor Carol S Dweck, literary helped me to come out of it. I constantly look into this book whenever I feel that I’m off-track in mental terms. - Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang.
– There’s a big misconception in tech companies (that I worked with) that being busy considered as the hall mark of commitment. For example, pushing a git commit at 2 AM. People boast about it. Taking no break and working 24 x 7 around clock, the brutal business in the job, some consider as an honor and wear it as a badge to boast about their work. Of course, these people are talented, but that’s not life. In this book, Professor Pang delineates how a long-term game can be played while treating your work and rest as a combined package. Basically, the idea is simple. Deliberate work (deep work) always has to go hand-in-hand with deliberate REST. That’s where true creation comes. - Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise by K. Andres Ericsson.
– Very interesting read on what makes people experts. In this book, Professor Andres — an expert in the field of studying experts, debunks the 10K hour rule of Malcolm Gladwell (a famous journalist). - Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear.
– Shares a good overview on why certain habits are so ingrained in our genes and provide a very easy to follow the framework in framing new habits (if we want to ;))
General reads (good ones)
- Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor.
- Deep Work by Cal Newport.
- So Good They Can’t Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love by Cal Newport.
- Homo Deus: A History of Tomorrow by Yuval Noah Harari.
- Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth.
- The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg.
- The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran.
Podcasts/ Videos/ Articles
- Chamath Palihapitiya’s interview at Stanford Business School.
* Chamath is a Sri Lankan-born individual. He migrated to Canada with his family at the age of 6 and at the age of 32 became a BILLIONAIRE after working at Facebook as a senior executive. He is the driving force behind bringing 1 billion active users to Facebook. He speaks with honesty and his statements deeply resonate with many. Today, Chamath pioneers a lot of work around tech investments and he plays the role of the CEO of Social Capita — a venture capital firm in Silicon Valley. - Naval Ravikant’s interview with Joe Rogan.
* Naval is Chamath’s brown brother from another mother. Just like Chamath, Naval, is also an immigrant. He immigrated to the US with his single-mother. - Naval Ravikant’s interview with The Knowledge Project.
- Toby Lutke’s interview with This Week’s in Startups.
* Toby is a German-born entrepreneur who moved to Canada. He created Shopify– the online e-commerce company that hosts millions of e-commerce websites (companies) online.
5. A Survival Guide to PhD — A great narrative that highlight the entire spectrum of PhD career by Andrej Karpathy — the extraordinary genius behind Tesla’s AI team
