Technology & Science
Careless People
Sarah Wynn-Williams
Sarah Wynn-Williams, an idealistic diplomat, joined Facebook believing it could change the world for good. Her seven-year journey inside the tech giant, advising Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg on international policy, quickly revealed a complex reality. From navigating shark attacks and diplomatic blunders to confronting ethical dilemmas and the company's relentless pursuit of growth, Wynn-Williams offers an unvarnished, insider account of Facebook's rise, its profound global impact, and the personal cost of working at the heart of a powerful, often careless, empire. This memoir is a cautionary tale of power, greed, and lost ideals at the intersection of technology and geopolitics.
Co-Intelligence
Ethan Mollick
Explore the transformative potential of AI and how it's reshaping our world. From AI as a co-worker to a tutor, discover how to navigate this new era of co-intelligence and its implications for the future of work, education, and humanity.
Chip War
Chris Miller
A gripping exploration of the high-stakes battle for semiconductor supremacy between the United States and China, revealing how chips have shaped geopolitics, the global economy, and the balance of military power. From the Cold War origins of Silicon Valley to the cutting-edge foundries of Taiwan, discover the intricate supply chains and strategic decisions that have made semiconductors the world's most critical technology.
This Is Your Brain on Music
Daniel J. Levitin
Delve into the fascinating intersection of music and the human mind with this insightful exploration. From the fundamental elements of pitch and rhythm to the complex ways music evokes emotion and shapes our perception, Daniel J. Levitin, a former record producer turned neuroscientist, unravels why music moves us, how we categorize it, and what it reveals about human nature and evolution. Discover the science behind our deepest musical obsessions and how our brains are wired for sound.
Handbook of Collective Intelligence
Thomas W. Malone
Explore the burgeoning interdisciplinary field of collective intelligence with this comprehensive handbook. Edited by leading experts, this volume synthesizes insights from diverse disciplines—including economics, biology, human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence, cognitive psychology, and social sciences—to illuminate how groups of individuals, both human and computer, can act collectively in intelligent ways. From the 'wisdom of crowds' in financial markets to the collaborative power of Wikipedia, the book delves into the theoretical foundations, historical context, and practical applications, offering a roadmap for understanding and designing more intelligent systems in an increasingly interconnected world.
The Innovators
Walter Isaacson
Explore the captivating history of the digital revolution through the stories of the brilliant minds—hackers, geniuses, and geeks—who shaped our modern technological world. From the earliest pioneers to the titans of Silicon Valley, this book chronicles the collaborative and individual efforts that led to the creation of computers, the internet, and the digital age.
AI 2041
Kai-Fu Lee
In 'AI 2041: Ten Visions for Our Future,' AI expert Kai-Fu Lee and award-winning science fiction writer Chen Qiufan collaborate to present ten captivating short stories, each set in the year 2041, exploring how artificial intelligence will profoundly reshape human society. Blending imaginative narratives with insightful analysis, the book delves into the potential impacts of AI on everything from deep learning and autonomous vehicles to quantum computing, universal basic income, and personal privacy. It offers a balanced, hopeful, yet realistic roadmap for navigating the opportunities and challenges of an AI-powered future, prompting readers to consider their role in shaping it.
On the Origin of Species
Charles Darwin
Explore Charles Darwin's groundbreaking theories on evolution and natural selection in 'On the Origin of Species.' This seminal work challenges conventional wisdom and presents a compelling argument for the interconnectedness of life, forever changing our understanding of the natural world.