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Ev Williams

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Evan Williams is an American computer programmer and Internet entrepreneur who has founded several Internet companies. Williams was previously chairman and CEO of Twitter, one of the top ten websites on the Internet.
20 books on the list
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Why Greatness Cannot Be Planned book cover
Why Greatness Cannot Be Planned
The Myth of the Objective
Kenneth O. Stanley - 2015-05-05
Goodreads Rating
This thought-provoking book challenges the idea that success comes from rigid goal-setting. The authors argue that innovation and greatness cannot be measured by mechanical metrics and should be embraced through playful creativity and serendipitous discovery. A refreshing take on modern society's obsession with objectives, Why Greatness Cannot Be Planned urges readers to consider a more flexible approach to achievement.
Ev Williams
2020-09-03T19:20:15.000Z
@gasca @gordonbrander i love this book      source
Wool book cover
Wool
Hugh Howey - 2012-01-25
Goodreads Rating
This post-apocalyptic sci-fi is not just an ebook sensation, it's a new classic. In a toxic future, people live in a giant underground silo with strict rules. When the Sheriff breaks the greatest taboo by asking to go outside, events unravel and an unlikely replacement is appointed: Juliette, a mechanic tasked with fixing the silo. As she faces the broken world around her, the silo prepares for an uprising. With accolades from The New York Times and USA TODAY, and named Kindle Book Review's 2012 Indie Book of the Year, Wool is a blockbuster must-read.
Recommended by
James Altucher
The Martian book cover
The Martian
Andy Weir - 2014-02-11 (first published in 2011)
Goodreads Rating
Survival on Mars becomes a matter of wit and resourcefulness for astronaut Mark Watney, as he battles against a hostile environment and dwindling supplies. Abandoned by his crew and with no way to contact Earth, Watney must rely on his engineering skills and sense of humor to outwit the odds stacked against him. Will he make it back home alive?
Ev Williams
2016-09-09T00:00:00.000Z
If I was really stranded on a desert island, this novel would be good to have. The movie is also good, but the book would help to pass more time. Both make surviving on a desert island seem like a walk in the park. What’s great about this adventure — which I find rare in pop culture — is the celebration of the mind, invention and science.      source
Antifragile book cover
Antifragile
Things That Gain from Disorder (Incerto)
Nassim Nicholas Taleb - 2012-11-27
Goodreads Rating
Discover how to thrive in a world of uncertainty with this revolutionary investigation of transparency, risk, and decision-making. Antifragile proposes that chaos and disorder are necessary for certain things to survive and prosper, and that being "antifragile" is far more valuable than simply being resilient. Covering topics ranging from urban planning to personal finance, and drawing from voices of ancient wisdom, this erudite and witty book by Nassim Nicholas Taleb will change the way you view the world.
Ev Williams
2016-09-09T00:00:00.000Z
Few books have made me think more than this one over the last decade. A meandering philosophical treatise that explores how all types of systems — your body, nature, the economy, your company — get stronger or weaker with stress. Some don’t like Taleb’s writing style, but his ideas are compelling.      source
Thinking, Fast and Slow book cover
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Daniel Kahneman - 2011-10-25
Goodreads Rating
Explore the inner workings of the mind in this groundbreaking book that explains the two systems that drive the way we think. System 1 is fast, emotional, and intuitive while System 2 is slower, more analytical, and logical. Discover the benefits and drawbacks of both systems and learn how to tap into the benefits of slow thinking. With practical insights into decision-making in both our personal and professional lives, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to guard against mental pitfalls and gain a deeper understanding of the way we think.
Ev Williams
2016-09-09T00:00:00.000Z
I love surprising scientific findings, as well as information about how our brains work. This is a treasure trove of both. Turns out, our brains are constantly misleading us. It’s not clear that learning how that’s the case reduces the chances of it happening, but it’s fascinating nonetheless.      source
Reinventing Fire book cover
Reinventing Fire
Bold Business Solutions for the New Energy Era
Amory Lovins - 2011-10-15
Goodreads Rating
This forward-thinking book imagines a world with affordable and abundant energy for all, without devastating consequences like oil spills or climate change. The author shows how businesses can work towards this goal by integrating renewable energy solutions in four major industries. With practical solutions rooted in hope, this book offers trillions in savings and new business opportunities for a better, safer future. Whether you care about national security, the environment, or competitive advantage, "Reinventing Fire" offers innovative ideas that inspire and transform.
Ev Williams
2016-09-09T00:00:00.000Z
I’ve read a lot about climate change. Mostly it’s depressing — which isn’t a good reason to not understand it. But this book from Amory Lovins and his Rocky Mountain Institute is an antidote for doom and gloom. It offers a thoroughly researched set of options for engineering our way out of the crisis.      source
Mindfulness for Beginners book cover
Mindfulness for Beginners
Reclaiming the Present Moment and Your Life
Jon Kabat-Zinn - 2006-07-01
Goodreads Rating
Learn mindfulness meditation and transform your relationship with yourself and the world with this guide by revered teacher and clinician Jon Kabat-Zinn. Through simple steps, this book provides insights and instruction to help you embody your true self and experience greater clarity, love, and presence. With a CD of guided meditations included, Mindfulness for Beginners is the perfect starting point to return to wholeness and mindfulness.
Ev Williams
2016-09-09T00:00:00.000Z
Meditation has become more mainstream in the last few years, thanks to scientific findings and general awareness of the benefits it brings. For me, mindfulness meditation is the most important habit I’ve taken up in my adult life. For those curious about it, Kabat-Zinn, one of the original mindfulness gurus of the West, breaks it down in simple and beneficial terms.      source
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance book cover
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
An Inquiry into Values
Robert M Pirsig - 2006-04-25 (first published in 1974)
Goodreads Rating
Explore the art of living through Robert M. Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Follow the story of a father and his young son on a transformative journey across America's Northwest. This meditative examination of our daily lives offers insightful guidance on improving the way we live.
Ev Williams
2016-09-09T00:00:00.000Z
One of the few novels I’ve ever read twice (though it’s been about 20 years, so it might be time for a reread). A philosophy book in the form of a novel that has very little to do with motorcycle maintenance. Instead, it has a lot to do with the elusive aspects of “quality,” and the importance of attitude in your approach to life.      source
Mindset book cover
Mindset
The New Psychology of Success
Carol S. Dweck - 2006-02-28
Goodreads Rating
Discover the groundbreaking idea of the power of mindset and how it can dramatically influence success in all areas of life. Renowned psychologist Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D., shares her decades of research on fixed versus growth mindsets and how it impacts abilities and accomplishments in school, work, sports, and more. With new insights and expanded concepts, Dweck's Mindset offers a guide to adopting a truer growth mindset, motivating those around you, and transforming lives.
Ev Williams
2016-09-09T00:00:00.000Z
It’s one of those ideas that is obvious only once you know it — that praising kids for their abilities (as opposed to their efforts) can actually be detrimental. Dweck’s research is among the most important for parents to know. Her book goes far beyond the implications for children and has lessons for all in work and personal life.      source
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
Cumulus by Eliot Peper
The Dip by Seth Godin
The Halo Effect by Phil Rosenzweig
The Effective Executive by Peter F. Drucker
Joel on Software by Joel Spolsky
Hackers & Painters by Paul Graham
Moneyball by Michael Lewis
The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton M. Christensen
Getting Things Done by David Allen
Good To Great by Jim Collins