And recommended now:
Our Mathematical Universe by Max Tegmark
This book will probably undercut a lot of what you think about the world–and a fair amount of it is unaccepted, bordering on speculative. BUT it covers the basics of cosmology all the way out to the mathematical universe hypothesis for which Tegmark is famous. Worth reading even if you doubt you’ll come away believing that the universe literally is math.
The LessWrong Quantum Physics Sequence
This series of articles explains quantum physics better than any book or textbook I’ve ever looked at on the topic. Just skip any math you don’t understand (that’s what I always do).
If you only read one in the sequence, read this one. It explains why most people are confused by QM and will probably convince you to read on. Even if it doesn’t, this will make you sound reasonably smart when discussing QM with anyone with advanced physics training (for 30ish seconds, then change the subject).
The Greatest Show on Earth by Richard Dawkins
Dawkins reminds readers of just how cool life and evolution really are. I think it’s worth taking an annual refresher in evolutionary biology, whether that’s reading Darwin or something along these lines.
Overcomplicated by Sam Arbesman
I think this take on the limits of human’s ability to understand (and even further afield, control) complex, nonlinear systems like AI, large organizations, or god forbid, societies is…pretty sobering. Sam actually explained this work to me when we shared an Uber to Reagan Airport, and I’ve since referred AI startups to him in his role as scientist in residence at Lux Capital.
Economics Rules by Dani Rodrik
Shows you how to use models like an economist would. And also the limits of this approach.
The Complacent Class by Tyler Cowen
Third in Cowen’s trilogy on what’s happening in/plaguing the American economy. I can’t tell if the trends he identifies are actually connected. Throughout I felt like dynamism was used non-rigorously and also that he waved away Baumol’s cost disease as an explanation for rising healthcare costs (he waved it away over email as well).
Stubborn Attachments by Tyler Cowen
The polymath economist turns his lens on…ethics, or something like it. Tries to make the case for economic growth as a moral good above almost all else. And argues for a social discount rate of 0. I tend to agree with his first major point, but am uncertain about how non-linearity affects the discount rate.
Fairly standard productivity advice from someone quite productive at writing popular self-help books. I got off social media after following his advice to ask myself what each tool was helping me accomplish.
Possibly the smartest person writing on business today. The article linked is his core idea.