Dylank0010 Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 One that provoked some interesting thoughts for me was actually the Qur'an. I'm not religious AT ALL but not many people seem to understand Islam, including myself even after having read the majority of it. Just thought I'd throw that in here as smoking shisha is a middle eastern cultural thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuie Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Changed My Life Forever! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texico Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 QUOTE (kikkoman1231 @ Jan 9 2009, 04:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Economics in One Lesson by Henry HazlittThis book tells you everything you need to know on how economies operate, and during this time, it's more useful than ever. Much of its explanations are difficult to understand at first glance, but it partly explains why socialism deters production and prosperity. Most of it focuses on macroeconomics and history for ideas regarding the death of the working man and the processes of public and private sectors, and the distribution of wealth and the exchange of work and money to achieve mass production.Famous advocates of this book are:Ron Paul, Texas Congressman and former 2008 Presidential candidatePeter Schiff, president of EuroPacific CapitalMurray N. Rothbard, former economics professor and student of the Austrian SchoolFriedrich Hayek, former Nobel Prize winner in EconomicsI haven't read that book (but now I will!), but from your description of it I may have another you would like: The Creature from Jekyll Island by G. Edward Griffin. My father gave it to me (as I'm becoming more interested in economics). It's essentially a comprehensive history of the Federal Reserve System and how it is bringing about the destruction of the U.S. economy, but it's written in a manner that makes it extremely readable. Ron Paul is also listed as an advocate of the book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erufiku Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Anything relating to feminism, colonialism, and cultural studies. Real thought provoking. Makes me contemplate suicide... And provokes the thoughts about how some people should not be allowed to live. Or at least publish their verbal diarrhea Venting aside, I'd recommend Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas if I haven't done so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reyomit Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhnif you have any interest in science, how we know what we know, or anything like that you'll be interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarhenson Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 The Form of Things by A.C. Grayling.It's a resonably lightweight book of short - 3-5 page long - philisophical essays/columns by the great A.C. Grayling touching on issues such as life, religion, identity, free will, science etc. It's perfect, I read it in a week and it really challenges what you know - especially if you're religious (which I am not.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judgeposer Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 QUOTE (Reyomit @ Apr 17 2009, 10:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhnif you have any interest in science, how we know what we know, or anything like that you'll be interested.Great book! I'm glad to see someone recommended it. QUOTE (oscarhenson @ Apr 17 2009, 11:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>The Form of Things by A.C. Grayling.It's a resonably lightweight book of short - 3-5 page long - philisophical essays/columns by the great A.C. Grayling touching on issues such as life, religion, identity, free will, science etc. It's perfect, I read it in a week and it really challenges what you know - especially if you're religious (which I am not.)I've never checked out Grayling's work, but his name did come up in some college courses I took. It's good that someone -else- recommended a work of philosophy. If you're interested in ethics, particularly a history of ethics, check out Alasdair MacIntyre's After Virtue. MacIntyre diagnoses modernity's current moral malaise quite nicely, which he sees as an inevitable product of the Enlightenment "project," which he also argues in the book was bound to fail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherwood Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 QUOTE (kikkoman1231 @ Jan 9 2009, 03:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Economics in One Lesson by Henry HazlittHaven't read that yet, but it's on my list. Anything endorsed by but not written by the Austrian school is worth reading In the same vein, another excellent econ primer written for the layman (i.e. someone who is not interested in the r^2 of a regression) is:Basic Economics by Thomas Sowell. Neat guy, neat book, recommended read.As always, Atlas Shrugged. Even if you you don't suspect you'll agree with it, you need to read it as a point of cultural reference. It's going through something of a revival as of late. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Extra Mint Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 (edited) Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John PerkinsHow America took over and controls the world throught economic hitmen.Terrorism and the Illuminati: A Three Thousand Year History by David Livingstone A very good detailed book on history talking throught the empires and civilizationsThe Future is For Islam by Saeed Kauserdetailed book about end time prophecies and return of jesusThe road to Mecca by Muhammad AsadThe journey of a Christian man throught islam who later converts to be a muslimEat the Rich: A Treatise on Economics by P. J. O'RourkeForce your children to read this book and learn how the world really works. It's the best explanation of economics available... and hilariousTomorrow's Gold by Dr. Marc FaberThe investment outlook for the next fifty years by the brilliant Dr. Marc Faber Edited April 18, 2009 by Allah Hu Akbar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbs Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 QUOTE (Allah Hu Akbar @ Apr 18 2009, 06:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John PerkinsHow America took over and controls the world throught economic hitmen.I just got done reading a small portion of that, I'm highly intrigued and plan on getting the book. From what I've read so far it's got my attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joytron Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 the omnivore's dilemma, a book about what you eat and how its true fiscal and environmental food. Also it begs the question if you are what you eat, are you waht you eat eats (and in a similar vein how its raised/grown) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judgeposer Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 QUOTE (joytron @ Apr 18 2009, 10:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>the omnivore's dilemma, a book about what you eat and how its true fiscal and environmental food. Also it begs the question if you are what you eat, are you waht you eat eats (and in a similar vein how its raised/grown)I thought it was a worthy read too - if you can manage to get through the first chapter on corn, which is apparently in everything! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MechAnt Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 If I Die in a Combat Zone, Box Me Up and Ship me Home - Time O'BrienThe Things They Carried - Tim O'BrienGreat books about war and the effects it has on the psyche of the soldier. Beautifully written and heart wrenching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitchard Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross by John AllegroChariots of the Gods by Erich von Daniken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBKakes Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 QUOTE (gaia.plateau @ Oct 5 2008, 12:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>[i]Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand+1 I am halfway through it now. Its taking me awhile to digest the philosphy and realize how prophetic it has come to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balthazar Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 I don't think gaia is a huge Rand fan. If so, I must have misread all his previous posts. Personally I think Objectivism is rubbish, therefor I find Atlas Shrugged thought provoking.The Trial by Franz Kafka. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judgeposer Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 QUOTE (BBKakes @ Apr 20 2009, 03:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>QUOTE (gaia.plateau @ Oct 5 2008, 12:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>[i]Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand+1 I am halfway through it now. Its taking me awhile to digest the philosphy and realize how prophetic it has come to be.QUOTE (Balthazar @ Apr 20 2009, 04:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I don't think gaia is a huge Rand fan. If so, I must have misread all his previous posts. Personally I think Objectivism is rubbish, therefor I find Atlas Shrugged thought provoking.The Trial by Franz Kafka.My undergrad philosophy professors paid only scant attention, but always with a bit of condescension, to Ayn Rand and Objectivism. As a result, I think I might've picked up a bias against her work. Even so, her work or subsequent philosophy is hardly, if ever, covered in any of the major philosophy journals nor can its influence stake claim to but a few professional philosophers. Instead, I would suggest Aristotle -as cliche as that might sound- particularly his Physics, Nicomachean Ethics, and Politics, all of which provide the foundation for Rand's work, before it derails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moatilliatta Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Ishmael by Daniel Quinn is the one book I've read I insist everybody I know read... It changed the way I see the world, it's just an amazing philosophical journey.Seriously, GO READ THIS NOW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
infiniteslip Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 Life:Tuesdays With Morrie - Mitch AlbomThe Long Hard Road Out of Hell - Marilyn MansonLife After Death and Near Death Experiences:Lessons from the Light - Kenneth RingReligion:The Coming of the Millennium - Darrell FaschingReligion and Physics:God & The New Physics - Paul DaviesPhysics and the Universe:The Elegant Universe - Brian GreeneA Brief History of Time - Stephen HawkingThe Universe in a Nutshell - Stephen HawkingRelativity - Albert EinsteinIntroduction to Electrodynamics - David GriffithsQuantum Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers - David MillerThermal Physics - Charles Kittel and Herbert KroemerAny math booksMisc.The Dark Tower Series and any related books - Stephen KingIt, The Stand, The Talisman - Stephen KingWhere the Red Fern Grows - Wilson RawlsThe Poky Little Puppy - Janette Lowrey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charley Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 anything by Howard Stanton Levey. (also known as Anton Szandor LaVey) his books will give you a lot of understanding about ppl just dont take them literally.anything by alister crowly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeytheclown Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 QUOTE (Zinite @ Dec 19 2008, 01:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>The God Delusion or anything by Richard DawkinsI just finished this. Wonderful!Anything by H. G. WellsIf you're into formal logic systems, Goeddel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Band by Douglas HoffstaderInteresting 1900's era sci-fi - Etidorhpa, Or The End Of The Earth, by John Uri Lloyd. This is available on the web.ANYTHING by Mark Twain ( The Mysterious Stranger is great ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilikemyusername Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 QUOTE (Charley @ May 2 2009, 03:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>anything by alister crowlyBah BAH! and poppycock! his system of wierd fuckedup incredibly dogmatic meditations left me odd for a while. dogma. dogma and poppycock! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilikemyusername Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 oh, and Jorge Luis Borges is a good author. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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