Linda Xie

Gain a new perspective and make better decisions with Julia Galef's The Scout Mindset. Humans tend to defend their beliefs, even if they're wrong. But by adopting a scout mindset, we can learn to survey the terrain and seek the truth. Galef shows us that scouts aren't necessarily smarter or more knowledgeable, but have developed emotional skills and habits that anyone can learn. Using examples from survival stories to CIA operatives, The Scout Mindset explains how to overcome biases and see the world as it truly is.

Discover the fascinating history of Bell Labs, the research and development wing of AT&T that produced some of the most groundbreaking inventions of the 20th century. From the transistor to the laser, digital communications to cellular telephony, Bell Labs was the birthplace of modern technology. Author Jon Gertner delves into the lives of the brilliant and eccentric men behind these innovations and explores the management of innovation that Bell Labs pioneered. A must-read for anyone interested in the history of technology and innovation.

"American Prometheus" is a captivating biography that unveils the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer in unprecedented detail. Oppenheimer, the iconic "father of the atomic bomb," was the brain behind the scientific progress surrounding America during WWII. The book follows his journey from education at New York City's Ethical Culture School, to his social justice involvement and establishment of America's leading school of theoretical physics in California. The biography concludes at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, where he directed from 1947 to 1966. This book is an essential read for those interested in WWII and Cold War history and how it has influenced our present and future.

Discover the amazing true story of two friends who transformed the world of video games and ruled big business. Follow the rise and fall of John Carmack and John Romero, the Lennon and McCartney of the gaming industry, as they escape broken homes to create the most successful game franchises in history. But their groundbreaking creations ultimately tear their friendship apart, revealing the powerful and compassionate account of what it's like to be young, driven, and wildly creative.

Discover the untold story of the inventors at Xerox’s Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) who paved the way for today's indispensable technology. In Dealers of Lightning, renowned Los Angeles Times reporter, Michael Hiltzik, delves into the forces and faces behind the revolution that saw the creation of the first personal computer, Internet and user-friendly word-processing programs. Hiltzik reveals how the group was given complete freedom from deadlines and directives at Xerox headquarters, which led to a steady output of amazing technology. Despite failing to utilize the technology produced by the group, Xerox managed to produce one successful invention, the laser printer, which earned the company billions. Featuring interviews with engineers, executives, and scientists involved in the Xerox PARC this book chronicles an amazing era of egos, ideas, and inventions at the dawn of the computer age.

Discover the explosive world of competitive video games with The Book of Esports, the ultimate guide to the largest entertainment and sporting phenomenon in human history. Written by gaming luminary and Harvard MBA William Collis, dive into the rise of esports and its implications for human competition and the future of humanity itself. Learn about the success of blockbuster games like League of Legends, Fortnite, and Starcraft, as well as the strategic choices that drive success in the modern gaming industry. Featuring select interviews from industry experts, including tales of trust, betrayal, and superhuman reflexes, this book offers a comprehensive overview of esports and its billion-dollar industry, accessible to both lifelong gamers and curious parents alike. Join the ride into the worlds unreal and discover why true human competition is always just a click away.

Step into the Metaverse, a cyberspace where anything goes. Snow Crash has hit the market - a cyberdrug and computer virus that infects the user behind the avatar. Follow Hiro, a freelance hacker and the Metaverse's top swordfighter, and Y.T., a mouthy teenage girl, as they navigate a reality altered by Snow Crash. With themes spanning linguistics, religion, computer science, politics, philosophy, cryptography, and even pizza delivery, this fast-paced adventure is a glimpse into the not-too-distant future.

Explore the epic resurrection of the American space program led by billionaire entrepreneurs in The Space Barons. Discover the stories of Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson, and Paul Allen as they use Silicon Valley-style innovation to lower the cost of space travel and pursue new frontiers. Based on years of reporting and exclusive interviews, this authoritative account is a dramatic tale of risk and high adventure, the birth of a new Space Age, and the personal clashes of leaders competing to end governments' monopoly on the cosmos.

A lone survivor is awakened on a desperate mission to save humanity and the earth from extinction. But there's a catch: he can't remember his name, his assignment, or even how to complete it. Armed with only his wits and an unexpected ally, he embarks on an interstellar journey to conquer an impossible task. Part scientific mystery, part dazzling adventure, Project Hail Mary is a survival tale that rivals The Martian while exploring uncharted territories of space.

Explore the fascinating vision behind the personal computing revolution, and the man who ignited it all. Meet J.C.R. Licklider, a visionary who saw the incredible potential of human-computer interaction at a time when computers were nothing more than data processors. In this captivating book, learn how Licklider's passion and ideas inspired the creation of the internet and shifted the world's understanding of what computers could be. Plus, read Licklider's original writings that laid the groundwork for the personal computer revolution. Get ready to dive into the exciting history of the Dream Machine.