Daniel R.

How to Be an Adult in Relationships: The Five Keys to Mindful Loving by David Richo

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The overall message of striving for mindfulness in our relationships by letting go of ego and focusing on attention, acceptance, appreciation, affection, and allowing provides a simple and powerful narrative throughout the book. I think the book would be as convincing without the occasional reference to a higher power. The practices at the end of each chapter are a great framework for thinking about and reflecting on your past and present relationships.



View all my reviews

Tags: books life love

Posted by Daniel Rinehart at 6:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Present at the Creation: The Story of CERN and the Large Hadron Collider by Amir D. Aczel

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A wonderful overview of the science behind and the science being tested at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The book describes the collaboration and building of the greatest machine in history and in the process introduces many of the people responsible for its creation and the many theories that scientists hope to test as it reaches ever larger energy levels. At times the shear breadth of material can be a little overwhelming if you are not well versed in topics such as particle physics, quantum theories, and the standard model. I'm sure I would gain a better understanding reading it again. The science is interleaved with vignettes of the author interviews or stories about many of the scientists mentioned throughout the book. I now I have a much greater appreciation for the LHC itself and what it is helping to accomplish.



View all my reviews

Tags: books science

Posted by Daniel Rinehart at 9:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other by Sherry Turkle

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A fascinating look at the dilemmas raised by sociable robots and the cultural change brought on by our constant connectedness. I found the second half of the book which focused on connectedness reflecting a growing trend of discovering how to live with these seductive technologies that have been created [294]. It is as if we have grown scared of being vulnerable and instead focus only on making ourselves feel better instead of making things right [233]. We have become lonely and the network is seductive [3]. Simulation offers relationships simpler then real life can provide [285]. The general message is that we expect more from technology and less from each other [295].



View all my reviews

• People are lonely. The network is seductive. [3]
• A love relationship involves coming to savor the surprises and the rough patches of looking at the world from another's point of view, shaped by history, biology, trauma, and joy. [6]
• She goes online to feel better, not to make things right. [233]
• We don't want to intrude on each other, so instead we constantly intrude on each other, but not in "real time." [280]
• Simulation offers relationships simpler than real life can provide. [285]
• Loneliness is failed solitude. [288]
• We have to find a way to live with seductive technology and make it work to our purposes. [294]
• The narrative of Alone Together describes an area: we expect more from technology and less from each other. [295]

Tags: books technology

Posted by Daniel Rinehart at 3:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)