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The reaction of one man could be forecast by no known mathematics; the reaction of a billion is something else again.
This principle of Seldon’s psychohistory is part of what makes the concept compelling (compelling as a tool in his book). He doesn’t just adopt determinism, he respects free will. He is developing a system where, somehow, free will is acknowledged but all the geeky sci-fi mathematics of determinism can still be utilized. It also allows for suspense/conflict which is naturally there between the two contradictory ideas (what one will win?).
“Me? Oh, but I am quite resigned to taking second place in the shadow of my husband. I am humbly aware that the wife of a great man has to be contented with reflected glory—don’t you think so, Miss Taggart?” “No,” said Dagny, “I don’t.”
― Atlas Shrugged
― Atlas Shrugged
“Yes; but one gets out of prison," said Caderousse, who, with what sense was left him, listened eagerly to the conversation, "and when one gets out and one's name is Edmond Dantes, one seeks revenge”
― The Count of Monte Cristo
― The Count of Monte Cristo
“Walt Whitman, who ardently followed the Overland Campaign: “When did [Grant] ever turn back? He was not that sort; he could no more turn back than time! . . . Grant was one of the inevitables; he always arrived; he was invincible as a law: he never bragged—often seemed about to be defeated when he was in fact on the eve of a tremendous victory”
― Grant
― Grant
“Free scientific inquiry? The first adjective is redundant.”
― Atlas Shrugged
― Atlas Shrugged
“And now, madame, try to make your peace with God, for you are judged by men!”
― The Three Musketeers
― The Three Musketeers
Book Buying Addicts Anonymous
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All are welcome, but this group is meant for those who not only love to read, but those who also love to buy their books to read as well as those who ...more
Luke’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at Luke’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
2,803 books
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1,268 books
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61 friends
10 books
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290 friends
620 books
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229 friends
114 books
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127 books
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37 friends
99 books
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90 friends
548 books
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122 friends
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