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Fred Kiesche
https://www.goodreads.com/fredkiesche
The day-to-day occupation of the average secret agent mostly consists of hurry up and wait. In my case, that means filling in on annoying bits of administrative scutwork and handling upgrades to the departmental network—when I’m not being
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“In the final book, Achilles treats the suppliant Priam with mercy, and allows for a brief cessation of fighting to enable the dignified burial of his enemy Hector. The limitless wrath of Achilles can end only once he recognizes that no absolute, permanent victory is ever possible. Everyone must bear unbearable losses, for which no compensation could ever be enough. In the end, we all lose. Our best hope is to accept partial, temporary limits on conflict, accepting human companionship and community as our only, always inadequate compensation, for the pervasive experience of loss.”
― The Iliad
― The Iliad
“Freeman contained infinities.”45”
― "Well, Doc, You're In": Freeman Dyson’s Journey through the Universe
― "Well, Doc, You're In": Freeman Dyson’s Journey through the Universe
“The Iliad shows what happens when all these social norms are violated, and fighters push for victory at any cost.”
― The Iliad
― The Iliad
“Conflict” (eris) appears at the start of Hesiod’s Works and Days, a didactic poem about rural life from the same era as The Iliad. Hesiod’s narrator declares that there are two types of conflict, one bad and one good. Bad conflict causes war and destroys communities, while good conflict motivates people to outdo their neighbors. When one potter competes with another, everyone wins. Even the less successful artisan ends up with a better piece of work.”
― The Iliad
― The Iliad
“The generic form of this problem is widespread in SF, and very hard to avoid. With rare exceptions, if a story gimmick is something that could plausibly grow out of the present, then it and its consequences can’t reasonably be presented as a surprise in the story.”
― The Collected Stories of Vernor Vinge
― The Collected Stories of Vernor Vinge
Deep State Radio Book Group
— 250 members
— last activity Mar 23, 2022 06:13AM
This is a group for Deep State Radio Nerds and all who are interested in and inquisitive about the world and how it works. We will read fiction and no ...more
Ken and Robin Talk About Stuff Bookshelf
— 174 members
— last activity Nov 13, 2023 03:59AM
Books mentioned on beloved podcast KEN AND ROBIN TALK ABOUT STUFF since July 2021
Fred’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at Fred’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
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