I have compiled a list of my favorite resources for topics that I’m passionate about.
Computer Science
I’m a software engineer by profession, and I’m deeply passionate about all things computer science.
- Pytudes is a GitHub repo created and maintained by Peter Norvig. This single resource—more than any other—has contributed to improving my Python coding. It consists of fun problems and short Python programs as their solutions. Working through the problems and reading Norvig's code has truly taken my Python to the next level.
- Algorithms to Live By by Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths. Not strictly a computer science book. However, it offers a unique perspective on computer science algorithms as a source of wisdom for everyday life.
Decision-making
A combination of resources encompassing psychology, probability, risk, and uncertainty forms this umbrella of decision-making. A strong foundation in these areas can be applied to guard against our worst errors and amplify our better tendencies.
- Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman. One of my all-time favorite books. Not only does it dive deep into cognitive biases—systematic ways in which we deviate from rational behavior—but also makes the reader experience these biases firsthand.
- Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely. This book is uncovers why and how we, irrational humans, make decisions—as opposed to why we think we make them. But, as the title suggests, our irrationality is systematic and predictable. Thus, by understanding the underlying psychology for decision making, we can become better decision makers.
- Antifragile by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. Sometimes you come across an idea or a concept that fundamentally changes how you look at everything. Antifragility is one of those ideas/concepts.
- Farnam Street by Shane Parrish. A collection of articles and podcast on decision-making and problem solving, drawing insights from various disciplines.
- The Signal and the Noise by Nate Silver.
Artificial Intelligence
I first took an introductory course in artificial intelligence (AI) in 2015. Since then, I’ve been honing my understanding of it. I’m amazed by what it has achieved so far and its potential excites me looking into the future.
- Human Compatible: AI and the Problem of Control by Stuart Russell. I believe that the AI Problem of Control is one of the most important problems for humankind. No other book (that I know of) introduces this problem as clearly as Human Compatible.
Philosophy
I believe that living an examined life is the surest way to make it worthwhile. Learning more about philosophy is a way of sharpening that examination.
- Philosophize This! by Stephen West. One of my all-time favorite podcasts. It generally follows a chronological order—starting with the Presocratics, all the way up to the present day—including the Buddha, Lao-Tze, the Renaissance, and the Enlightenment.
- The Stranger by Albert Camus. In this book, Camus illustrates the absurdity of existence and of everyday life—of the decisions we take and why we take them—through Meursault’s (the protagonist) seemingly reasonable, yet absurd thought process.