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ReviewThese are things I've read, seen, listened to and/or played with, which I think are worth checking out if you can. I try to keep my reviews very brief - better that you spend your time with the actual thing rather than listen to me blabber on about it... |
Reading Non-Fiction Fiction Periodical Entertainment Film Video Music Web Weirdness Toy Search |
by Robert Anton Wilson, with Miriam Joan Hill.
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Basically a non-comprehensive, some-inclusive, encyclopedia of conspiracies. So far, I'm finding it humerous, if lacking in detail. Also check out the Illuminatus Trilogy that Wilson cowrote with Robert Shea - that's truly a classic.
by bell hooks
South End Press. 1984. ISBN: 0896082210
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"Feminist Theory" is a wonderful book for those who still don't 'get' feminism in that it covers a lot of ground in feminist thinking. It makes a solid introduction to the reasons why feminism is necessary, and a lot of the relevant 'issues'.
It is equally important to those already well established in their feminist thinking. Much of the book draws the connections between feminism and various other social justice struggles, including anti-racism, class-struggle, and so forth.
Chapter 5 had probably the biggest, most personal, impact on me. In it, hooks looks at how men can (must) be involved in supporting feminist struggle.
by John Ralston Saul
Vintage Books, 1993. ISBN: 0679748199
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Extraordinarliy detailed analysis of the development of "Reason" and "Rationalism" as the dominant philosophies in Western societies. Saul details why our current social, political, religious and economic systems are so dysfunctional (to use a greatly overused term), providing extensive and revelatory historical detail. I was unable to find something to disagree with in this book.
All humans should read this book.
by Steve McConnell
Microsoft Press, 1993. ISBN: 1556154844
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I learned more about how to be a good programmer from this book than I did from all the courses I took in university put together. As a geek, I found this book to be a real "page-turner" (I'm serious) - I couldn't wait to finish each page so I could find out what was on the next!
This book covers the entire software development process, with a focus on the process of actually writing code. It's language-agnostic, so will be of benefit to all programmers.
I am not offering you a choice: Everyone who is involved in the development of software must read this book.
by Jerzy Chwialkowski
by Philip K. Dick
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Weird. Sort of a non-judgemental post-mortem of the destruction of lives by brain-messing drugs. Set slightly in the future, but fitting mostly into the present. Weird.
by Peter David
Del Rey. 1998. ISBN: 0345424522
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Babylon 5 is, unquestionably, the greatest television show that has ever been made.
I've bought all the novels that have come out around the series, but most have not come close to equalling the show. "In the Beginning" is one of the few exceptions.
It is a novelization of the prequal movie of the same name. While it contains the whole story that was in the movie, the novel expands on that story and provides more detail. Probably the best part is that the entire novel is written in Londo Mollari's voice - you can hear the accent as he narrates the events.
This book is probably best appreciated those already familiar with the television series, but then, everyone should be watching it at every chance!
One of my all-time favorite magazines! Detailed, thoughtful, useful. There are so many wonderful things in every issue - I wish I had more time to learn more about all of them. Everybody should have a subscription.
Published about twice a year by Flatland Mail Order Books. One of the most interesting periodicals in the now popular field of conspiracy studies.
Mandatory Reading.
What is with the movies this year? There have been some absolutely excellent films this year - and some of them are even coming out of Hollywood with big name stars. This movie is just (I want to use an expletive, but that would belittle the extent of my feeling about this) wicked beyond words. Yes there's graphic violence. Yes there's viciousness and such. I don't think I'd take my parents to see it, but I think I should take them. It's so weird that this film was even made. As I left the theatre I was seriously tempted to turn around and get in line to watch it again - there have only been a handful of movies like that for me. Go see it. Go see it. Go see it.
I'm slowly getting the feeling that there are a growing number of people in Hollywood who realize that a lot of people actually like to think when they see a movie. This was a surprisingly thoughtful film. Very well constructed. There are scary/creepy/disturbing moments (this is not a movie for kids - nightmare city), but they fit and are not at all overdone or overused.
The character development was superb. Haley Joel Osment, who plays the eight-year-old Cole Sear (the one with the 'sixth-sense') was excellent - proving that child actors don't have to be unbearably annoying (I hope he doesn't turn out to be the exception that proves the rule...).
Before the end credits even began to roll - I already wanted to see this movie again.
I was still smiling from it hours later. A totally wicked movie. I'll be buying the video
as soon as it's available so I can watch it over, and over, again.
Franka Potente (Lola) is beyond amazing in this film. Go, now, to see it!
[trailer]
Excellent film about two young men from an indian reservation in Idaho who go on a trip to Phoenix to retrieve the ashes of one of their fathers. Very strong character development with great acting. Based on stories from The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie.
A suspense/mystery/thriller. Some very interesting theological/mystical stuff (although not nearly enough for my taste...). The story is okay, but the acting was a bit weak. The ideas are worth seeing the movie for.
Funny, weird, sentimental (for me, anyway). Great acting. It's so strange that this movie came out of hollywood.
More evidence of Don McKellar's genius. A beautifully crafted film. A set of stories that are a complete story. The reaction of someone I saw it with: "So, Samuel L. Jackson can actually act." (all the acting was excellent in this.)
A shockingly honest - and very funny - look at U.S. politics and culture. 100% recommendable.
Parody of ultra-fundamentalist christian evangelism.
A great intro to Lego robotics. The Scout programmable brick is simpler than the RCX found in the Robotics Invention System - which makes it ideal for quick prototyping. The set comes with a good selection of useful parts (beams, plates, gears, axles, etc.), as well as a few weird (decorative/useless) bits such as the clear 'bug-eye' domes.
Lots of interesting parts in this set, including a u-joint and 2 differentials. The really neat part, though, is of course the pneumatics. There's a hand pump for compressing air into a tank which can then be controled with switches which direct the air through tubes to the hydrolic-like thingees (I wish I knew the correct name for these parts) for lifting, pushing, pulling, etc. Now I need to figure out (or find directions for) how to hook up a moter to the air compressor pump - and integrate it with the Lego robotics components.
I've finally got a Lego train set!
While the Lego people stuff is kind of "yeah, whatever", the train cars, tracks and controller are all very neat. I'm looking forward to mixing in the Lego robotics stuff ('Mindstorms') for a self-controlling train system.
A motorbike model with chain-drive and pistons. Lots of good parts.