Tag: books
Lawyers, Humility, and LLMs
Reviewing a book about a multi-billion-dollar contract bug—and what it means for the profession's arrogant response to LLMs.
"Bowie: Una Biografía" by María Hesse
For most of us, David Bowie is a collection of icons: the lightning bolt, the space suit, the mismatched eyes. We know the "skin" of the legend, but María Hesse’s illustrated biography manages to peel that back. While it isn’t an exhaustive, it is something much more evocative. It’s a sensory journey through the life of a man who was constantly reinventing what it meant to be human. The book flows chronologically but feels like a series of "reincarnations." Here is how the journey breaks down: A...
Introducing my big blue suitcase
Five years ago when I moved across the country, I stuffed all of my zines into this big suitcase and there they have lived ever since. It’s powder blue, with a disgusting soiled fabric lined interior, except on the bottom where I once hot glued a bunch of electronics- back when I used it to house an instrument I built to make noise. I got it from the Salvation Army in Hadley MA. Since moving to LA the suitcase lived mostly in my van, and then when my van died it lived in the warehouse at the lab...
Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon (2012)
At its core, Steal Like an Artist is a manifesto for the modern creator. Kleon’s main premise is liberating: nothing is completely original. Instead of the crushing pressure to create something from a "blank slate," Kleon argues that all creative work is a remix of what came before. The book is structured around ten simple lessons that demystify the "tortured genius" trope. It teaches you how to collect influences, build a "creative lineage," and—most importantly—how to "fake it until you make i...
"De cero a uno: Cómo inventar el futuro" (2014)
Zero to One is a powerful reminder that evolution isn't enough; true innovation requires a leap into the unknown. Thiel’s core message is that "vertical progress" comes from creating something entirely new—moving from 0 to 1—rather than simply competing in an existing market.It feels a bit like a time capsule now. While the mindset is still essential, some examples haven't aged perfectly, and the total lack of AI mentions feels like a glaring omission in today's landscape. However, the book's ch...
"Acontece que no es poco" (2023)
The book offers a quick overview of many historical events and includes a substantial bibliography.I would have preferred a slightly more formal style, although I enjoyed reading it.If you've ever heard the author speak on the radio, the book is written in a similar style.
The Lessons of History (1997)
If you feel overwhelmed by the complexity of the modern world, this 100-page masterpiece is the ultimate "macro" perspective. After spending 40 years writing the history of the world, the Durants distilled everything they learned into this concise brief. It is not a book about dates and wars; it is a book about how the world actually works. The Durants argue that history is a branch of biology. Our technology changes, but our instincts—to compete, to protect our kin, and to accumulate—remain ide...
Happy new year and my fave readings of the year
My favourite books, podcasts and recommendations from 2025, covering moral ambition, maps, wolves, AI dystopias, geopolitics, Chennai history, and the best tech podcasts.