The Mind is Flat
A well-structured narrative including visual and thought exercises that does a great job of putting forth the perspective that the mind is flat (shallow) and does not have the depths we ascribe to it.
Category: Books
The Rise & Fall of Communism
If you’re old enough, you would remember the radiant power of the USSR in 80s India. Archie Brown provides a comprehensive account of what was happening behind the Iron Curtain in that era. A fantastic read if you’re interested in history and geopolitics.
Raj: The Making of British India
This is a telling of history that is quite a bit different from what exists in Indian textbooks. While the author does have some bias as an English historian, it doesn’t take away from some fascinating perspectives of the heroes we have lionised. A little meandering, but if you like history, a must-read.
The Moment of Lift
Melinda French Gates gets a lot of things right with the book. Starting with the acknowledgement that she shares from a position of privilege, she approaches the subjects with intellectual honesty. The book covers a lot of ground – maternal and newborn health, the importance of contraceptives and family planning, education for girls, the unpaid work that women do, and gender inequity in the workplace. It’s an excellent read that is full of anecdotes and insights without being prescriptive.
The Origins of Political Order
These days, we assume that a liberal democracy is the best form of government. But the world wasn’t always like this. How did we get here, and why did different countries get here at different times? From biological foundations of human behaviour to language and development of political systems, this is an enlightening read that helps us better understand the world we live in.