Output
Lillian-Yvonne Bertram
Dive into the fascinating history of computer-generated text, from its nascent beginnings in 1953 to the cutting-edge developments of 2023. This anthology showcases a diverse array of outputs, including early love letter generators, pioneering conversational systems like ELIZA, and the complex creations of modern large language models. Edited by Lillian-Yvonne Bertram and Nick Montfort, this collection explores the artistic, literary, and scientific evolution of text generation, challenging our perceptions of authorship, creativity, and the very nature of language in the digital age.
The Grapes of Wrath
John Steinbeck
Recently paroled, Tom Joad returns home to find his family's Oklahoma farm devastated by the Dust Bowl and economic exploitation. His home is a ruin, his family displaced, and the land he knew is now controlled by impersonal corporate forces. Reunited with the former preacher Jim Casy and a defiant neighbor, Muley Graves, Tom grapples with the harsh realities faced by tenant farmers. This powerful narrative sets the stage for the Joad family's arduous journey west to California, a desperate search for work and dignity amidst widespread poverty and social injustice, exploring themes of resilience, community, and the enduring human spirit.
Data feminism
Catherine D’Ignazio
This groundbreaking book challenges conventional data analysis, proposing a new data science rooted in intersectional feminist thought. Authors Catherine D’Ignazio and Lauren F. Klein reveal how biases ingrained in 'objective' data obscure power imbalances and advocate for an ethical, caring approach to data that unveils mechanisms of oppression. Through seven core principles, the book explores how data can be rerouted to work against injustice, making a compelling case for a more equitable and informed understanding of information.
Patriot
Alexei Navalny
In this gripping memoir, Alexei Navalny, Russia's most prominent opposition leader, recounts the harrowing 2020 assassination attempt that nearly claimed his life, detailing his agonizing recovery from Novichok poisoning. More than a survival story, it's a powerful testament to his unwavering fight against corruption and authoritarianism in Russia. Navalny interweaves his personal journey—from a childhood shaped by the Soviet Union and the Chernobyl disaster to his rise as a fearless activist—with a sharp analysis of the political landscape, offering an intimate look at the sacrifices made in the pursuit of justice and democracy.
His Name Is George Floyd
Robert Samuels
In a profound and meticulously researched biography, "His Name Is George Floyd" transcends headlines to reveal the full, complex life of George Perry Floyd Jr. From his childhood in Houston's Third Ward to his final moments in Minneapolis, the book intricately weaves Floyd's personal struggles with addiction, poverty, and the criminal justice system with a broader historical narrative of systemic racism and police brutality in America. Through extensive interviews with family, friends, and experts, authors Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa paint a vivid portrait of a man who, despite his flaws and challenges, sought to "touch the world." This powerful exploration offers a crucial understanding of the forces that shaped Floyd's life and the seismic social justice movement his death ignited, leaving readers with a deeper insight into America's ongoing reckoning with race and inequality.
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down
Anne Fadiman
A poignant and deeply insightful true story, this book chronicles the tragic clash between a Hmong refugee family's traditional beliefs and Western medicine as they navigate their daughter Lia Lee's severe epilepsy. Through the lens of Lia's illness, author Anne Fadiman masterfully exposes the profound cultural misunderstandings and ethical dilemmas that arise when two vastly different worldviews collide in the high-stakes environment of healthcare. It's a humbling lesson in empathy, communication, and the critical importance of cultural competence, leaving readers to ponder the true cost of failing to bridge cultural divides.
In a Bad State
David Schleicher
Explore the complex challenges faced by the federal government when states and cities confront fiscal crises. This book delves into the historical responses to such crises, from Alexander Hamilton's era to the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the 'trilemma' of balancing moral hazard, macroeconomic stability, and infrastructure investment. Author David Schleicher offers a practical guide for policymakers and citizens to understand the difficult choices involved and proposes principles for building more resilient federal and local fiscal systems.
Minor Feelings
Cathy Park Hong
In this groundbreaking collection of essays, poet and essayist Cathy Park Hong fearlessly blends memoir, cultural criticism, and history to expose the fresh truths of racialized consciousness in America. Through her theory of 'minor feelings'—the shame, suspicion, and melancholy experienced by Asian Americans when American optimism contradicts their reality—Hong delves into vital questions of identity, individuality, family, friendship, art, and politics. This vulnerable, humorous, and provocative work offers a radically honest portrait of one Asian American psyche and a writer's search to uncover and speak the truth.