My 10 favourite reads of 2021, and an equal long list. From blockchains and technology in China to Manhattan society in the 1940s, the list has multiple themes that somehow, on hindsight, seem related- AI, meritocracy, dignity, money, human behaviour, morality, and the future.
Tony Joseph uses archaeology, genetics and linguistics to provide a clear understanding of two questions – “Who are we Indians? Where did we come from?” I’d highly recommend reading this, even if it’s just to counter “history” lessons on WhatsApp university!
This is a book I’d highly recommend to everyone. It’s less about the technicality of money or “get rich” ideas, and instead focuses on emotional aspects which affect our relationship with money, and our behaviour.
Francis Fukuyama picks up from where he left off in The Origins of Political Order. He adds three more dimensions of socioeconomic development – social mobilisation, idea legitimacy, and economic development to show state, law and democracy evolved to their current state, with different countries following different paths. The book ends with a commentary on political decay and the effect on democracy.
An excellent graphic novel that is based on the life and work of Bertrand Russell, and includes the luminaries of the era. It operates at a meta level because we are also privy to the discussions and arguments of the creators of the comic. Deeply layered, with fantastic life lessons.