Teresa > Recent Status Updates

"The true con artist doesn’t force us do anything. He makes us complicit in our own undoing. He doesn't steal; we give." I'm only on page 33 but it is already excellent (and depressing). One out of every 100 males, as estimated by Robert Hare, is a clinical psychopath. :(

updated to add: it's taking me a while to read this as I keep thinking about the current U.S. government and getting even more depressed,

"The true con artist doesn’t force us do anything. He makes us complicit in our own undoing. He doesn't steal; we give." I'm only on page 33 but it is already excellent (and depressing). One out of every 100 males, as estimated by Robert Hare, is a clinical psychopath. :(

So far, first chapter in, it is excellent. Not only do I find the topic fascinating (I've been trying to tell people that what they perceive as patterns really aren't) but one of my all-time favorite professors, Daniel Kahneman, is talked about extensively. I'm really excited about this book!

So far, it's one of the best books I've read in a while. Excellent writing, socially significant topic.

I'm so, so sad that this is the last Sammy Keyes book.

I wish I'd read this before THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN. I like this so far, but I loved TRAIN more and my mind keeps sidetracking with inevitable comparisons. This book, while cleverly written, draws attention to its own cleverness, much like a precocious four year old. I feel like an aunt who is forced to put up with a little show-offy niece during a family gathering. Ugh...it's been a chore to get myself to continue.

I actually started the book last week. I wish I'd read this before THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN. I like this so far, but I loved TRAIN more and my mind keeps sidetracking with inevitable comparisons. This book, while cleverly written, draws attention to its own cleverness, much like a precocious four year old. I feel like an aunt who is forced to put up with a little show-offy niece during a family gathering.

I am looking forward to reading this as Dr. Kahneman was one of my favorite profs at the University of British Columbia back in the early 1980s when I did my undergrad degree there.

I liked this book (hence the 3 stars) but I get the feeling that little kids (including my boys if they were 3 or 4 years old) would love it or think it was exceptional.

So far, a little more than half way through, I have really enjoyed this story. When I have to stop reading, I can't wait to get back to it, which doesn't happen with a lot of books I read.

My only quibble? "Brontosaurus." No. It's Apatosaurus. Contrary to what Wiki says, brontosaurus is not a synonym. It was named for a beast that never actually existed (wrong bones on the wrong body).

6 stars (for extra amazing) for the art and 2 stars for the story.

Terrific high school level text that goes somewhat well with the university level Biology: The Science of Life video course from The Great Courses that we're watching.

I actually regressed on this because I went back to the beginning and started taking notes like it was a textbook. I'll retain the info better this way.

On a good day, it moves me;
on a bad day, it makes me weep.

"Sunk cost bias" - We tend to believe something because of the costs sunk into that belief. We hang on to losing stocks, unprofitable investments,...and unsuccessful relationships..."

A goofy hypothetical skit with Hubel and Wiesel...hilarious! Loving chapter 9; reminds me of my brain and behavior class (http://homesteadnotes.blogspot.com/20...).
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"I'm a skeptic not because I don't want to believe but because I want to know." :)

"I'm a skeptic not because I don't want to believe but because I want to know." :)

428/510 pages. Dueling is barbaric. That is all.
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I'm actually reading the Scholastic edition which only has 510 pages, so I'm farther ahead than what it seems (108/510 rather than 108/1276). "...human knowledge is very limited..." - Faria

160/510 pages.
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I'm actually reading the Scholastic edition which only has 510 pages, so I'm farther ahead than what it seems (108/510 rather than 108/1276). "...human knowledge is very limited..." - Faria

I'm actually reading the Scholastic edition which only has 510 pages, so I'm farther ahead than what it seems (108/510 rather than 108/1276). "...human knowledge is very limited..." - Faria

This is going to be slow to slog through. Just waiting for the exciting part where Dantes escapes, exacts revenge, and, I assume, be reunited with the black-haired, dark-eyed beauty, Mercedes (melodramatic much?).

Wheeler! :)
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Weinberg, always stirring up trouble. No wonder I like him. ;)
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Planck Length...oh, yeah!
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I never, ever tire of the story of George Gamow...and the discovery (from hypothesis to evidence) of the cosmic microwave background radiation. Goose-pimply!