Neuropath
It all begins and ends with The Argument: Free will is an illusion. The soul? Merely neurons firing. Someone is determined to prove the truth of The Argument, no matter who has to die. Psychology professor Tom Bible is surprised to find the FBI on his doorstep, asking for help analyzing the prime suspect in a series of gruesome murders. That’s not what Tom does—he’s just a teacher, not a profiler. But in this case, the FBI feels Tom has special knowledge. The suspect is his best friend Neil Cassidy. Using the neuroscience he developed at the NSA, Neil can control the human brain. With just the flip of a switch, he can manipulate pain, pleasure, faith, morality....even love. He taunts the FBI with videos, forcing them to watch as his victims destroy themselves at the direction of their captor. He leaves no clues and the FBI cannot predict his next victim. Only Tom Bible has insight into his mind.
Stats for nerds
6recommend
8mentions
7people
2010–2021years
75% recommend25% neutral
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
- I recommend the book "Neuropath" by R. Scott Bakker: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3170310-neuropath
- On a similar-ish note, Neuropath by Scott Bakker.
Scott's MO through all of his books is to write about free will, specifically the idea that we don't possess it and that our brain makes decisions by itself and that consciousness is an illusion.
- Neuropath by R Scott Bakker (if you liked Peter Watts)
- In no particular order ...
I Am a Strange Loop by Douglas Hofstadter - strongly influenced my beliefs about how consciousness works
Godel, Escher, Bach by Douglas Hofstadter - made me think more deeply about so many topics
Animal Liberation by Peter Singer - made me both an animal advocacy activist and strongly influenced me towards a consequentialist moral
Neuropath by R. Scott Bakker - more on how consciousness works, this time through a work of fiction
The Dispossessed by Ursula K. LeGuin - strongly influenced my beliefs about political systems
The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins - changed how I thought about animal behavior and what living things do
Republic, Lost by Lawrence Lessig - strongly influenced my beliefs about US government
Manufacturing Consent by Herman & Chomsky - made me rethink my view of the media and news
- Neuropath - R Scott Bakker.
- Reality Tansurfing 1: The Space of Variations "Choosing" your own reality, positive mind frames, philosophy and actionable steps for goal attainment (no "Secret" wish fulfillment).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1846941229/ref=as_li_ss_tl?... " Some of Zeeland's techniques are very simple and practical; e.g. his methods of combining rational thinking with intuition for making practical decisions. Other "tools" require a high degree of control over one's thoughts and/or emotions. Zeeland also advocates reducing the amount of mental self-talk in favour of listening to one's intuition, which has some similarity with the teachings of Eckhart Tolle [[2]]." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vadim_Zeeland
The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062508342/ref=as_li_ss_tl?... This novel has been of great help to me and family with recent deaths. Overall life outlook, happiness, and the like.
Enders Game http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0812550706/ref=as_li_ss_tl?... I have read this novel over 15 years roughly 8 times. I get more, and a different perspective (which is interesting just examining my own reaction to re-reads based on my life and age at reading / re-reading).
Prometheus Rising http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1561840564/ref=as_li_ss_tl?... "Hacking" reality, your mind, alternate viewpoints of reality and "living" accordingly (or not :D)
Pandora's Star http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345479211/ref=as_li_ss_tl?... Fascinating "space opera" wherein humanity masters worm-hole technology (and space colonization), ever lasting life (downloading / uploading) and a lovely read with a dose of astrophysics (though, the number of plot lines and characters gets far too muddled much of the time, symptomatic of Hamilton's books). Great "look" at a potential future of these potential advancements.
Neuropath http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0765361574/ref=as_li_ss_tl?... Science fiction novel set in near-future based on new advanced in neuroscience; psychopath / serial killer thriller (one night read)on the brain as a chemical machine (and free-will arguments) with brutal thriller violence. This sticks with you for a number of weeks. Sending this to my sister was reacted with "it was really good, fascinating..why the f* did you send this to me?"
The Darkness That Comes Before (The Prince of Nothing, Book 1) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1841494089/ref=as_li_ss_tl?... Fantasy, philosophy, linguistics in Magic..dark, dark and a very old world. Brilliant, the best fantasy series this decade.
Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400077303/ref=as_li_ss_tl?... From dirt (literally), to one of the richest men in history, a genius accountant, inventor, process engineer, capitalist, competitive monster (crusher), also spawning much of modern medicine research centers (while he himself was a more holistic man who distrusted "modern medicine). An incredible biography (oft cited by other novels on various Baron's / dynastic biographies) on the idiocyncrocies and the incredible desire for wealth and power, while abhoring lavish displays of wealth. From his rise, to consolidation, to "war" with the Rothschilds to the ultimate breakup of Standard Oil.
1,000 Dollars and an Idea: Entrepreneur to Billionaire: Expanded Edition http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1557048487/ref=as_li_ss_tl?... Sam Wyly, on building businesses to last, 15-20 years to "flip" or keep. Nuggets of wisdom for all industries and verticals.
