Patrick Peterson > Recent Status Updates

2026-09-30b I just finished the chapter on the Twin Sparrows which includes significant discussion of AI and education, much of it very important, since it is so close, so realistic, and so powerful. I certainly do not agree with it all, but this chapter, the story and the analysis, both need to be considered very carefully, because this tech is coming, and some is already here, right now!!!

2026-09-30 This book suffers from a huge woke/statist/pc bias.
Far too many of the characters, symbols, mores, etc. suffer from that bias.
However, it does discuss many important aspects of the technology and it's implications of AI (as of the book's writing ~2021) It is getting out of date in what the technology has already developed into, and that will continue to make some of the book obsolete.

Wow, I am sooooo loving my reread of this book.
I first read it in the late 1970s, but not again fully till now. I definitely read various chapters several times since, but reading the whole thing again is exhilarating!

The arguments and facts are so timely, clear and persuasive. The reference to Mises and other authors so refreshing and on point.

Highly recommended.

This book has aged VERY well.

Innocents Abroad is fascinating.
Great satire. Really skewers:
- some super- naive types - just one e.g. those who think their interests/actions are universal interests/actions
- those who put up with the mundane too long
- those who develop bad/harmful habits but who get called out about them (including the author!!!)

I've stopped reading this due to:
- the poor quality of the text conversion - too many typos
- no ability to "share" sections on Goodreads
- Notes not able to be exported - THIS was the killer

I now buy only versions that don't have these problems.

Fascinating book, but I am of two minds:
1. I love most of the references and explanations of Austrian Economics, economists, history, etc.
2. I am not so convinced about his explanations of Dao/Taoism and the strategies and methods he thinks are really cool. Too much esoteric (VERY new to me) jargon in this section.

The descriptions of his (and others') trading in the Chicago commodity pits was pretty realistic.

2026-08-10 Just finished "Roughing it". Very funny. Twain is a master of telling wacky stories. Some based on real stuff, some probably totally made up. What a creative imagination. I loved so many parts of the book:
- Stagecoach/Pony Express realities: benefits & drawbacks
- 1860s journalism
- Mormon history/interactions
- Silver mining mania in NV
- SF life
- Hawaii history, volcanoes & culture
and more

2026-08-01 Getting into "Roughing It" and enjoying it very much. Twain has such colorful and lively ways of describing things: scenery, characters, morals, customs, modes of travel, etc. It is about two brothers travelling by "land coach" from Missouri to Sacramento, CA in the 1850s (before the civil war and the trans-continental RR. The movie version with James Garner narrating was quite good too. More later.

2026-08-01 I finished "The American Claimant" a week or so ago. It started out fairly strange, got much better - was really good at cutting down unearned aristocratic titles - but then finished up pretty strange and unclear. I'm looking forward to reading what others have said about this.

Does anyone else also get a very funky/selective list of the books they are "currently reading" on their Goodreads home page too, like I am????

This book three is as gripping as the first two in the series. VERY tough to put down.

Continuing to be amazing writing.... but not so thrilled with the philosophy, which seems too warped, pessimistic, misanthropic, etc. for me, amidst the brilliance of some insights and observations.

Interesting.
Different.
About a man named Ursus (bear) and a wolf named Homo (man).
I like the very detailed description of the super-structured and prejudiced world of English privileges for the aristocracy vs. the put-upon commoners - seems quite sarcastic and justifiable so to me. Not sure where Hugo will take this, but I'm very curious to find out.

What a wonderful book!

GREAT stuff.
Love all the tips on and examples of reframing problems into opportunities.

And the neuroscience about the brain's plasticity for accommodating changes is very helpful too.

Also the style of the writing is so fun and compelling. Love it.

Wonderful book.
So many neat examples of how to deal with difficult situations in life and come out on top.

Very detailed info on the types, workings, scope, etc. of non-profit corps and other voluntary associations that provided valuable services and resources for all sorts of worthy, and sometimes dubious causes:
- orphans
- widows
- deaf
- disaster survivors
- illiterates
- etc. etc.
And the comparisons to how these organizations were much more effective and efficient at fulfilling their missions than governments!

Fascinating look at the voluntary sector and for vs. non-profits in US history. Voluntary associations are grossly undercounted for their good work and alternative to the coercive funding of government getting involved in providing various services. This book clarifies the issues and provides many details of the differences between the non and for-profit associations of Americans vs. gov't sector.

Fantastic.

LOVING this book.

If you have any interest in how poor countries can become rich, this is the book.

If you have any interest in what entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship are about, this is the book.

If you have any interest in the future of Africa, this is the book.

And I am only half-way into it.

Very cool book.
Magatte's story is one in a million, but she also reveals basic truths that every entrepreneur goes through in order to serve consumers and better the world, that too many people have NOT appreciated.

Gripping.

Started reading this for a great little book group I am in.
Ever since I found out about the book since I know the author.

Wonderfully helpful vignettes and lessons in how to help you change or add career options. So positive and thoughtful. Great to read these tips and stories.

I'm struck by the incredibly wide range of data and references to other scientists and observers that Darwin cited. Also his humility and willingness to deal with a very large number of potential and real problems with his theory, right from the beginning.

This is NOT an arrogant work, but a very patient and careful one.

Just reread chap. 1 and it's as wonderful or better than I remember. Excellent real world example of a major career/thinking/skill change given and lots of backup as to how/why it is possible and beneficial. Great stuff.

Started with so many details and misc. observations, comparisons and claims that I was not impressed.

But after 10-15% in, it started getting more interesting for me, with the descriptions of natural selection, competition for survival, spread of variations, etc.

Still not what I expected, but hopefully will get even better.

I've written some prelim. review notes of the part I have read so far. Interesting, creepy, difficult, enjoyable, challenging, and rarely dull.

Continuing very good.
BUT, it got VERY complicated with legal issues that are incredibly convoluted and hard to follow.
Fortunately, as they unravel, Eliot is very good at making it clear as to what was going on and why it was important.

Her views on morality seem quite realistic - many layered, depending on sometimes very complicated circumstances. Perceptions matter, but so do the facts, in spades, eventually.

Very cool!