What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

[OpenMinded1]

Quantum Supremacy by Michio Kaku (2023). The book describes how the advent of reliable quantum computers and quantum supremacy could "overturn every aspect of our daily life." According to the author, they are already in existence, and a couple entities claim they have achieved quantum supremacy - the point at which quantum computers decisively outperform ordinary digital supercomputers on specific tasks. However, they are very difficult to construct and probably haven't advanced to the point where they are reliable yet.

I'm a couple chapters in, and it's interesting, but scary. One of the most disturbing aspects is that, according to the author, current cyber security efforts will be completely useless against quantum computers. Someone could use one to access virtually any digital file.

Also, from the book:

- In 2019, Google developed a quantum computer that could solve a mathematical problem in 200 seconds that would take the world's fastest digital supercomputer 10,000 years to solve.

- In 2020, the Quantum Innovation Institute at the Chinese Academy of Sciences claimed their quantum computer was 100 trillion times faster than an ordinary supercomputer.

It's interesting, but not sure I'm going to read the remainder of it. Pretty disturbing.

New cryptography approaches to quantum are being evaluated. Some are deployed already. Mullvad VPN allows you to turn on its use of a Quantum cryptographic approach. But there is no guarantee way to know how well it actually works. It’s not like everyone has a quantum computer to test this stuff out or the math background to assess it.

I’m not worried about it. It will be at the nation state level initially.
[/quote

Yes, I probably shouldn't worry about it either since I don't think there is very much I can do about it. Not sure it's comforting that only nation states will only have it initially.

[rockstar]

Quantum Supremacy by Michio Kaku (2023). The book describes how the advent of reliable quantum computers and quantum supremacy could "overturn every aspect of our daily life." According to the author, they are already in existence, and a couple entities claim they have achieved quantum supremacy - the point at which quantum computers decisively outperform ordinary digital supercomputers on specific tasks. However, they are very difficult to construct and probably haven't advanced to the point where they are reliable yet.

I'm a couple chapters in, and it's interesting, but scary. One of the most disturbing aspects is that, according to the author, current cyber security efforts will be completely useless against quantum computers. Someone could use one to access virtually any digital file.

Also, from the book:

- In 2019, Google developed a quantum computer that could solve a mathematical problem in 200 seconds that would take the world's fastest digital supercomputer 10,000 years to solve.

- In 2020, the Quantum Innovation Institute at the Chinese Academy of Sciences claimed their quantum computer was 100 trillion times faster than an ordinary supercomputer.

It's interesting, but not sure I'm going to read the remainder of it. Pretty disturbing.

New cryptography approaches to quantum are being evaluated. Some are deployed already. Mullvad VPN allows you to turn on its use of a Quantum cryptographic approach. But there is no guarantee way to know how well it actually works. It’s not like everyone has a quantum computer to test this stuff out or the math background to assess it.

I’m not worried about it. It will be at the nation state level initially.
[/quote

Yes, I probably shouldn't worry about it either since I don't think there is very much I can do about it. Not sure it's comforting that only nation states will only have it initially.

Big tech will have it. It comes down to cost. Most won’t have it. It’s like when super computers came out that took up an entire room. No one had one other than companies and nation states with the budget to own it.

[stoptothink]

"Irreversible Damage" by Abigail Shrier. Was floored when I saw it on the "librarian's choice" shelf at the local library yesterday morning; let's just say, it doesn't fit in with the other social science books that are usually on that shelf. I finished it before end of day. Almost perfectly describes my personal experience with the topic, which includes multiple members of my family.

[shm317]

The Stand by Stephen King…have read so many of his others, not sure why I waited so long to read this one. Loving it

If you liked that one...another good, long SK read is 11/22/63 (if you haven't read that one before). Totally different, but just as good IMO. Those are my 2 favorite SK novels.

I did read that one and loved it!

[rockstar]

"Irreversible Damage" by Abigail Shrier. Was floored when I saw it on the "librarian's choice" shelf at the local library yesterday morning; let's just say, it doesn't fit in with the other social science books that are usually on that shelf. I finished it before end of day. Almost perfectly describes my personal experience with the topic, which includes multiple members of my family.

I’ll stick with mainly fiction. This isn’t even on my radar other than one episode of the new Quantum Leap from last season. Everything is so polarized now.

For nonfiction check out Erik Larsen.

I’ve added some Robert Parker books to my library pull. He created the Spenser For Hire characters and Jesse Stone.

[stoptothink]

"Irreversible Damage" by Abigail Shrier. Was floored when I saw it on the "librarian's choice" shelf at the local library yesterday morning; let's just say, it doesn't fit in with the other social science books that are usually on that shelf. I finished it before end of day. Almost perfectly describes my personal experience with the topic, which includes multiple members of my family.

I’ll stick with mainly fiction. This isn’t even on my radar other than one episode of the new Quantum Leap from last season. Everything is so polarized now.

Could not agree more, but 99% of what I read is non-fiction. It's just how this scientist is wired. Despite my direct personal experience with the topic, I wasn't looking for the book and had no previous intentions of reading it (or anything related). It stuck out on the shelf surrounded by dozens of books with the polar opposite viewpoint (on that, and unrelated social topics), so I picked it up out of curiosity. Ended up going through the entire thing by late afternoon.

[vnatale]

"Irreversible Damage" by Abigail Shrier. Was floored when I saw it on the "librarian's choice" shelf at the local library yesterday morning; let's just say, it doesn't fit in with the other social science books that are usually on that shelf. I finished it before end of day. Almost perfectly describes my personal experience with the topic, which includes multiple members of my family.

I’ll stick with mainly fiction. This isn’t even on my radar other than one episode of the new Quantum Leap from last season. Everything is so polarized now.

Could not agree more, but 99% of what I read is non-fiction. It's just how this scientist is wired. Despite my direct personal experience with the topic, I wasn't looking for the book and had no previous intentions of reading it (or anything related). It stuck out on the shelf surrounded by dozens of books with the polar opposite viewpoint (on that, and unrelated social topics), so I picked it up out of curiosity. Ended up going through the entire thing by late afternoon.

After I want to amazon to see what the book was about I told myself I was not interested in reading it. But now after reading what you just wrote my mind has now changed.

[Carol88888]

"Whatever" by Michel Houellebecq.

[vnatale]

The price of peace

Money democracy and the life of John Maynard Keynes

By Zachary Carter

Only on page 41 but after a 22 page introduction.

Definitely a good one and my kind of book.

[ekid]

It's John Maynard Keynes.

(bend the knee at His name!)

[vnatale]

It's John Maynard Keynes.

(bend the knee at His name!)

Sorry!

I am doing speech to text on my amazon fire.

Originally it had spelled all 3 parts of his name correctly.

But then immediately misspelled his last name which I saw this and corrected. Had not noticed it also changed his middle name.

[ekid]

It's John Maynard Keynes.

(bend the knee at His name!)

Sorry!

I am doing speech to text on my amazon fire.

Originally it had spelled all 3 parts of his name correctly.

But then immediately misspelled his last name which I saw this and corrected. Had not noticed it also changed his middle name.

I had a college perfesser who would inflect his name worshipfully at every mention. AND genuflect.

I don't think he was being sarcastic. I never tried to argue JMK's teachings with him.

[vnatale]

It's John Maynard Keynes.

(bend the knee at His name!)

Sorry!

I am doing speech to text on my amazon fire.

Originally it had spelled all 3 parts of his name correctly.

But then immediately misspelled his last name which I saw this and corrected. Had not noticed it also changed his middle name.

I had a college perfesser who would inflect his name worshipfully at every mention. AND genuflect.

I don't think he was being sarcastic. I never tried to argue JMK's teachings with him.

Just from what I have read so far in the beginning of the book most people trembled at the thought of arguing with him.

[ekid]

"And in the long run, we're all dead".

Absolutely inarguable!

[vnatale]

"And in the long run, we're all dead".

Absolutely inarguable!

That is 1 of the 2 quotes on the page before the contents page.

[nisiprius]

Cold Warriors: Writers Who Waged the Literary Cold War, by Duncan White. Really good.

It's not just about the writers, it's also a history of the Cold War itself. Which means that for me, it connected and tied together things I had experienced at the time as isolated news events. I am going only mention isolated details.

He says it was George Orwell who first put the words "cold war" together in print, in an article.

He says that when Eisenhower considered resigning after being exposed as lying during the U2 incident.

For me, the revelation was that when I was growing up, so much of the general consensus of who the "important" writers were, and which were their "best" books, was based on Cold War aspects.

[JakeyLee]

I just received my copy of “The Four Pillars of Investing” (second edition), by William Bernstein. It arrived on my doorstep last night, and I haven’t put it down. Fantastic read.

[bertilak]

I just received my copy of “The Four Pillars of Investing” (second edition), by William Bernstein. It arrived on my doorstep last night, and I haven’t put it down. Fantastic read.

I have the 1st edition and was wondering if I should "upgrade." Can you compare and contrast?

I suspect that the basic principles are (mostly?) unchanged but there may be differences in specific investment products now available.

[LadyGeek]

Feel free to compare and contrast investing differences in the ongoing discussion: Bill Bernstein's new book available [Four Pillars of Investing]

[stoptothink]

"Natural Causes" by Barbara Ehrenreich https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Causes-E ... 1455535915. In attempt to paint a picture of medicine/healthcare as pompous and not based on logic and empirical data, Ehrenreich throws out constant logical fallacies and comes across as extremely pompous herself. I hated that it basically tells people that they have no control over their own health. A few interesting points, but overall it was a confusing attempt at demonizing physicians. I picked it up because one of her previous books ("Nickel and Dimed") was really good.

[sschullo]

Finished Tyranny, Inc.: How Private Power Crushed American Liberty--and What to Do About It – 2023
by Sohrab Ahmari. In this book, the author referenced a murder mystery novel about a community that functioned as a private power when our technological progress won over our human potential. I am now super excited about reading: Super-Cannes: A Novel by J. G. Ballard

[Barkingsparrow]

River of the Gods - Candice Millard

I had mixed opinions on this book. I went in expecting it to be more of a detailed account of the Burton/Speke expedition to find the source of the White Nile. Instead it seems to focus primarily on the personalities of Burton and Speke. Much of the material is about their personality conflicts and that got a little tiring, particularly as neither Burton nor Speke were all that admirable. That said, there's some fascinating reading here, for example, learning more about Sidi Mubarak Bombay, without whom Burton and Speke likely would have died and who really was the greatest African explorer of those times.

[vnatale]

I just received my copy of “The Four Pillars of Investing” (second edition), by William Bernstein. It arrived on my doorstep last night, and I haven’t put it down. Fantastic read.

I read it twice in the 1st 4 days I owned it.

[vnatale]

I just received my copy of “The Four Pillars of Investing” (second edition), by William Bernstein. It arrived on my doorstep last night, and I haven’t put it down. Fantastic read.

I have the 1st edition and was wondering if I should "upgrade." Can you compare and contrast?

I suspect that the basic principles are (mostly?) unchanged but there may be differences in specific investment products now available.

Somewhere I read him describing if you had read all his prior books there's only about 20% new so I was not anticipating all that much.

But its impact on me was certainly far greater than just reading 20% more than what I had prior read.

Maybe it was because it was all now in 1 place and could be read in a compressed amount of time Rather than over all those prior years.

[vnatale]

"Natural Causes" by Barbara Ehrenreich https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Causes-E ... 1455535915. In attempt to paint a picture of medicine/healthcare as pompous and not based on logic and empirical data, Ehrenreich throws out constant logical fallacies and comes across as extremely pompous herself. I hated that it basically tells people that they have no control over their own health. A few interesting points, but overall it was a confusing attempt at demonizing physicians. I picked it up because one of her previous books ("Nickel and Dimed") was really good.

I have a few of her prior books And have not read them yet because I suspected they may have the tone you described above.

[stoptothink]

"Natural Causes" by Barbara Ehrenreich https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Causes-E ... 1455535915. In attempt to paint a picture of medicine/healthcare as pompous and not based on logic and empirical data, Ehrenreich throws out constant logical fallacies and comes across as extremely pompous herself. I hated that it basically tells people that they have no control over their own health. A few interesting points, but overall it was a confusing attempt at demonizing physicians. I picked it up because one of her previous books ("Nickel and Dimed") was really good.

I have a few of her prior books And have not read them yet because I suspected they may have the tone you described above.

I've never read a book and gotten such a strong sense that the author is someone who I could not stand to be around. The tone of the entire book is incredibly condescending and speaks in generalities with little evidence to validate the author's points. As someone who has dedicated their life to exercise and nutrition, I could barely stomach the chapter which can basically be summed up as "exercise is a huge waste of time and there is little evidence it improves health or quality of life".

I was shocked considering "Nickel and Dimed" was good. Unfortunately I did a Google search and skimmed through a few of her older articles; there is zero chance Ehrenreich and I would get along.

[stoptothink]

River of the Gods - Candice Millard

I had mixed opinions on this book. I went in expecting it to be more of a detailed account of the Burton/Speke expedition to find the source of the White Nile. Instead it seems to focus primarily on the personalities of Burton and Speke. Much of the material is about their personality conflicts and that got a little tiring, particularly as neither Burton nor Speke were all that admirable. That said, there's some fascinating reading here, for example, learning more about Sidi Mubarak Bombay, without whom Burton and Speke likely would have died and who really was the greatest African explorer of those times.

I read this about a year ago. Burton was an absolutely fascinating individual and I know there is an incredible story there, but the author focused mostly on things I didn't really care about.

Would love to read something else on Burton.

[ruralavalon]

River of the Gods - Candice Millard

I had mixed opinions on this book. I went in expecting it to be more of a detailed account of the Burton/Speke expedition to find the source of the White Nile. Instead it seems to focus primarily on the personalities of Burton and Speke. Much of the material is about their personality conflicts and that got a little tiring, particularly as neither Burton nor Speke were all that admirable. That said, there's some fascinating reading here, for example, learning more about Sidi Mubarak Bombay, without whom Burton and Speke likely would have died and who really was the greatest African explorer of those times.

I read this about a year ago. Burton was an absolutely fascinating individual and I know there is an incredible story there, but the author focused mostly on things I didn't really care about.

Would love to read something else on Burton.

I read River of the Gods several years ago, and thought it was very good.

[vnatale]

"Natural Causes" by Barbara Ehrenreich https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Causes-E ... 1455535915. In attempt to paint a picture of medicine/healthcare as pompous and not based on logic and empirical data, Ehrenreich throws out constant logical fallacies and comes across as extremely pompous herself. I hated that it basically tells people that they have no control over their own health. A few interesting points, but overall it was a confusing attempt at demonizing physicians. I picked it up because one of her previous books ("Nickel and Dimed") was really good.

I have a few of her prior books And have not read them yet because I suspected they may have the tone you described above.

I've never read a book and gotten such a strong sense that the author is someone who I could not stand to be around. The tone of the entire book is incredibly condescending and speaks in generalities with little evidence to validate the author's points. As someone who has dedicated their life to exercise and nutrition, I could barely stomach the chapter which can basically be summed up as "exercise is a huge waste of time and there is little evidence it improves health or quality of life".

I was shocked considering "Nickel and Dimed" was good. Unfortunately I did a Google search and skimmed through a few of her older articles; there is zero chance Ehrenreich and I would get along.

Nickel and DImed Is 1 of her books that I own That I have not yet read. I had been including that book as what I was assuming about her. With you twice describing it as an excellent book I may someday finally read it.

[stoptothink]

"Natural Causes" by Barbara Ehrenreich https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Causes-E ... 1455535915. In attempt to paint a picture of medicine/healthcare as pompous and not based on logic and empirical data, Ehrenreich throws out constant logical fallacies and comes across as extremely pompous herself. I hated that it basically tells people that they have no control over their own health. A few interesting points, but overall it was a confusing attempt at demonizing physicians. I picked it up because one of her previous books ("Nickel and Dimed") was really good.

I have a few of her prior books And have not read them yet because I suspected they may have the tone you described above.

I've never read a book and gotten such a strong sense that the author is someone who I could not stand to be around. The tone of the entire book is incredibly condescending and speaks in generalities with little evidence to validate the author's points. As someone who has dedicated their life to exercise and nutrition, I could barely stomach the chapter which can basically be summed up as "exercise is a huge waste of time and there is little evidence it improves health or quality of life".

I was shocked considering "Nickel and Dimed" was good. Unfortunately I did a Google search and skimmed through a few of her older articles; there is zero chance Ehrenreich and I would get along.

Nickel and DImed Is 1 of her books that I own That I have not yet read. I had been including that book as what I was assuming about her. With you twice describing it as an excellent book I may someday finally read it.

To be clear, I read the book over a decade ago and was a different person then; much more connected emotionally to my impoverished childhood. I remember liking it (and it rang a bell when I saw the cover of "Natural Causes" which notes it was by the same author), but it's likely that I'd have a different reaction today.

[vnatale]

"Natural Causes" by Barbara Ehrenreich https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Causes-E ... 1455535915. In attempt to paint a picture of medicine/healthcare as pompous and not based on logic and empirical data, Ehrenreich throws out constant logical fallacies and comes across as extremely pompous herself. I hated that it basically tells people that they have no control over their own health. A few interesting points, but overall it was a confusing attempt at demonizing physicians. I picked it up because one of her previous books ("Nickel and Dimed") was really good.

I have a few of her prior books And have not read them yet because I suspected they may have the tone you described above.

I've never read a book and gotten such a strong sense that the author is someone who I could not stand to be around. The tone of the entire book is incredibly condescending and speaks in generalities with little evidence to validate the author's points. As someone who has dedicated their life to exercise and nutrition, I could barely stomach the chapter which can basically be summed up as "exercise is a huge waste of time and there is little evidence it improves health or quality of life".

I was shocked considering "Nickel and Dimed" was good. Unfortunately I did a Google search and skimmed through a few of her older articles; there is zero chance Ehrenreich and I would get along.

Nickel and DImed Is 1 of her books that I own That I have not yet read. I had been including that book as what I was assuming about her. With you twice describing it as an excellent book I may someday finally read it.

To be clear, I read the book over a decade ago and was a different person then; much more connected emotionally to my impoverished childhood. I remember liking it (and it rang a bell when I saw the cover of "Natural Causes" which notes it was by the same author), but it's likely that I'd have a different reaction today.

Thank you for the clarification which now brings me back to I may well have the initial reaction to it that I had originally assumed. However in fairness to her I may start reading it And keep reading it or put it down if it does have the tone you describe above.

[ekid]

Ehrenreich was a good writer. Almost the same age as I; she had experience as a "flower child" as young adult.

I don't remember reading "Natural Causes".

[ekid]

Cold Warriors: Writers Who Waged the Literary Cold War, by Duncan White. Really good.

It's not just about the writers, it's also a history of the Cold War itself. Which means that for me, it connected and tied together things I had experienced at the time as isolated news events. I am going only mention isolated details.

He says it was George Orwell who first put the words "cold war" together in print, in an article.

He says that when Eisenhower considered resigning after being exposed as lying during the U2 incident.

For me, the revelation was that when I was growing up, so much of the general consensus of who the "important" writers were, and which were their "best" books, was based on Cold War aspects.

" so much of the general consensus of who the "important" writers were, and which were their "best" books, was based on Cold War aspects."

It affected perhaps every aspect of our lives. I met some Russian students at Virginia Beach some time after 911. I tried some of my best Russian on them- it was political terminology. They didn't want to talk about it- old history.

That was then, this is now.

[heartwood]

Listening to an audio book of Yellowface by R. F. Kuang on Libby. Good writing(?), good reader, but there's too much publishing business details for me. I'm not familiar with Kuang before this, but she's apparently award winning in more than one genre.
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0788VXRHP/about

Maybe the 3rd or 4th audio book I've tried. Like that I can listen at a higher rate of speed. Tried Hoopla and Libby, both decent apps. I read a week or so ago that Spotify plans to expand to audiobooks in its app,perhaps in 4Q. The teaser was that you'd get something like 20 hours of audio books a month free with a premium subscription.