Episode · EconTalk · 2019-08-05
Books mentioned on Andy Matuschak on Books and Learning
Software Engineer Andy Matuschak talks about his essay "Why Books Don't Work" with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. Matuschak argues that most books rely on transmissionism, the idea that an author can share an idea in print and the reader will absorb it.
Russ Roberts discussed Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari, Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Thanks A Thousand by A. J. Jacobs, African Genesis by Robert Ardrey, and The Social Contract by Robert Ardrey.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Sapiens
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari is a sweeping exploration of how Homo sapiens evolved, dominated the planet, and constructed complex imaginary orders like religion, money, and nations.
Discussed“so I interviewed ybal Harari a while back about his first book which is sapiens”
Where to get it
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Fooled by Randomness
Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Nicholas Taleb is a popular exploration of the massive role that chance, luck, and probability play in human success, finance, and everyday life.
Discussed“uh Fooled by Randomness by Nasim talb”
Where to get it
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Thanks A Thousand
Thanks A Thousand by A.
Discussed“another former Eon dog guest AJ Jacobs he writes a book called thanks the Thousand”
Where to get it
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African Genesis
African Genesis by Robert Ardrey is an influential science and anthropology book that explores human origins and the innate aggressive tendencies of humankind.
Discussed“most famous book was African Genesis which his theme was that we were we were as human beings”
Where to get it
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The Social Contract
The Social Contract by Robert Ardrey is a provocative exploration of human behavior, evolutionary biology, and the innate drives that shape social organization and political institutions.
Discussed“one another book called the social contract and I can't remember the other one but the in the social contract”
Where to get it
