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Ben Goldacre

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Ben Goldacre MBE is a British physician, academic and science writer. As of March 2015, he is a senior clinical research fellow at the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, part of the University of Oxford's Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences.
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The Art of Deception book cover
The Art of Deception
Controlling the Human Element of Security
Kevin Mitnick - 2003-10-17 (first published in 2001)
Goodreads Rating
Discover the low-tech threats to high-tech security with the world's most infamous hacker in The Art of Deception. Kevin Mitnick shares his insider's view on the human factors involved in information security, revealing why firewalls and encryption protocols aren't enough to stop a determined grifter. Mitnick narrates true stories of successful attacks to illustrate how vulnerable even the most locked-down information systems are. Learn how to prevent social engineering hacks through Mitnick's advice on security protocols, training programs, and manuals.
Ben Goldacre
2020-07-16T07:13:04.000Z
Oh wow Twitter say this huge hack was done through a coordinated social engineering attack. Hugely recommend Kevin Mitnick's book on this: The Art of Deception. Also a great example of (openly disclosed) ghost writing making a technical topic very readable      source
Nuclear War In The UK book cover
Nuclear War In The UK
Taras Young - 2019-10-09
Goodreads Rating
For almost five decades, the United Kingdom made plans for a nuclear attack that never came. To help their citizens, civil servants and armed forces prepare, those in power designed and published a variety of booklets, posters and how-to guides. Most infamous among these was the Protect and Survive campaign, but just as fascinating are lesser-known...
Ben Goldacre
2019-11-02T20:18:49.000Z
I am LOVING this book of bleak civil defence and cold war porn from @tarasyoung      source
Seeing Like a State book cover
Seeing Like a State
How Certain Schemes to Improve the Human Condition Have Failed (Veritas Paperbacks)
James C. Scott - 1998-01-01
Goodreads Rating
This insightful and thought-provoking analysis examines the reasons behind the failure of state-planning efforts around the world, from Russia to Tanzania. Drawing on a range of case studies, the author uncovers the common conditions that lead to disasters in social and environmental engineering projects. Praised as a "tour de force" by Columbia University's Charles Tilly, this is a beautifully written book that provides a sharp understanding of the world we inhabit today.
Ben Goldacre
2019-09-06T17:39:03.000Z
I return to this book "Seeing Like A State" so often. It's about the barriers you hit when you try to fit a complex messy world into neat categorical boxes for data analysis, and the dizzying political history of that project. Highly, hugely recommended for all data nerds.      source
Security Engineering book cover
Security Engineering
Ross J Anderson - 2008-04-14
Goodreads Rating
Learn how to build secure systems in today's constantly evolving online criminal economy with "Security Engineering" by Ross Anderson. This updated guide covers technical engineering basics, specialized protection mechanisms, security psychology, policy, and more to help you build dependable systems that can withstand errors and malicious attacks. Discover critical insights from an industry expert and stay ahead of cybercriminals.
Ben Goldacre
2019-04-27T14:03:23.000Z
Yup. I loved Security Engineering by @rossjanderson, the first third could be a pop science classic, but the whole book weighs about fifteen kilos. (I strongly disagree with him on re-use of medical data btw, is a matter of proportionality)      source
Brexit book cover
Brexit
What the Hell Happens Now?
Ian Dunt - 2016-11-17
Goodreads Rating
This book explores the myths and risks of Brexit, discussing how Britain's departure from the EU could harm the country's power, legal system, and citizens' standard of living. The author, Ian Dunt, provides insights from trade and legal experts to explain why leaving the largest trading bloc in the world will weaken Britain and negatively impact key industries, such as finance and pharma. This revised and best-selling book offers a searching exploration of Brexit, free from the wishful thinking of supporters in the media and Parliament. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a digestible and factual guide, regardless of their position during the referendum.
Ben Goldacre
2018-08-23T16:32:42.000Z
Best book this year. A magnificent explainer in the tradition of the best pop science. Short, clear, explains the technical reality of how the world of trade etc actually works, and how Brexit fantasists have misrepresented / misunderstood it. Awesome.      source
Ways of Seeing book cover
Ways of Seeing
Based on the BBC Television Series (Penguin Books for Art)
John Berger - 1990-01-01 (first published in 1972)
Goodreads Rating
Explore the world of art through John Berger’s groundbreaking book, Ways of Seeing. Originally based on a BBC television series, Berger examines how we look at paintings and changes the way readers evaluate art. As the winner of the 1972 Booker Prize, Berger’s influential book is a must-read for anyone interested in cultural studies and art criticism. Discover the liberating power of images and gain a new perspective on the world of art with Ways of Seeing.
Ben Goldacre
2018-08-08T10:11:14.000Z
@Bookmarks_books @OwenJones84 ...NEXT.. John Berger's "Ways Of Seeing" is a life changer, a brain changer. And the book was vastly better than the TV series, because you could take your time. Similarly, an anthology of his shorter pieces, to dip in and out of, is a joy. NEXT...      source
On Tyranny book cover
On Tyranny
Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century
Timothy Snyder - 2017-03-28
Goodreads Rating
Discover how to survive and resist America's potential slide into authoritarianism. From a historian of fascism, Twenty Lessons draws from the darkest hours of the twentieth century to provide hope for the twenty-first. With invaluable ideas for preserving our freedoms, this guide to resistance is a call to arms for uncertain years to come.
Ben Goldacre
2018-07-19T12:21:21.000Z
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the rise of fascism and idiocy I found this really helpful And importantly also: short. About to try Snyder's new long book, if anyone's read it?      source
Islam & The Future Of Tolerance book cover
Islam & The Future Of Tolerance
Sam Harris - 2015-10-06
Goodreads Rating
This book features an honest and insightful dialogue between Sam Harris and Maajid Nawaz on the topic of Islam's role in our modern world. Harris and Nawaz provide an antidote to polarizing rhetoric by discussing whether Islam is dangerous and irredeemable, or amenable to reform and able to find its place in a secular world. Through their sharp insights and courteous attention, Harris and Nawaz present an inspiring example of how opposing viewpoints can find common ground. This book challenges readers to defend incompatible positions and to engage in meaningful dialogue in pursuit of understanding.
Ben Goldacre
2017-03-23T00:08:07.000Z
@drmc08 @RufusHound dunno, recently enjoyed the maajid nawaz vs sam harris book, and keith johnson on religion and magic.      source