AJ Kerrigan > Recent Status Updates

A bunch of passages in this book jump out because of how much heavy lifting they're doing. The one here about the mala beads is so packed with context, those big vacuum-sealed mattresses that ship in bafflingly small cardboard boxes are jealous.

I'm about a third of the way into this and not feeling it. My gut is saying dump it, but I'm stubbornly sticking with it in case late game climax/reveals make the early slog worthwhile. I sure hope so...

This may be my favorite chapter title of 2024: "The Median Price of a Thrift-Store Bin of Evolutionary Hacks Russian-Dolled into a Watery, Salty Piñata We Call a Head"

I'm liking this book so far. It's definitely meant as an accessible intro to a broad range of ideas, so it doesn't get too deep into any single theory. Footnotes abound though, so there is plenty of opportunity to get extra context or take side paths.

Chapters 7 and 8 were so good. What beautifully done tense and awkward stuff. Perfect.

About halfway through... so far this book is really not for me. Came on a recommendation though, still want to see it through.

Maybe by the end I'll feel something beyond boredom and distaste...

I'm listening to the audiobook version, and I thought "I know this voice!" It's the same narrator who read Jack Vance's Dying Earth series. So I'm cracking up hearing explanations of probability case studies and logical fallacies as if they're coming from shady characters like Cugel.

I don't know what narrow overlap of folks listened to both this book and the Dying Earth series, but clearly it's the way to go :).

Maybe it's just me, but I was itching for a trip back to Elantris after watching Encanto. I mean avoiding spoilers, the setup for both is "Here, some special folks use magic for the public good-- ... shit, what happened to the magic?"

I'm enjoying the graphic audio version. The effects and voice acting are a bit over the top really, but it works. It's a fun fantasy story.

I'm liking this overall, though the main focus of the first half of the book was the part I enjoyed least.

It triggered happy tangents though:

- Neko Case's "Last Lion of Albion" has been looping in my head.
https://youtu.be/tT_ObjcZYbs

- I felt compelled to re-read Ken Liu's short story "Mono no Aware".
https://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fi...

Worthwhile detours!

I'm liking this overall, though the main focus of the first half of the book was the part I enjoyed least.

It triggered happy tangents though:

- Neko Case's "Last Lion of Albion" has been looping in my head.
https://youtu.be/tT_ObjcZYbs

- I felt compelled to re-read Ken Liu's short story "Mono No Aware".
https://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fi...

Worthwhile detours!

After chapter 31 I think I need a drink. Intense!

This book is affirming some ideas that have been bouncing around in my head for a while, and making me rethink others.

The bit breaking down active vs casual users/contributors was really thought provoking.

I was already enjoying this book, the steady introduction of plot/characters/cultures. I had to pause at the end of chapter 3 to savor it though. Really well done, I've gone from curious to excited :).

I still cannot figure out if I like this book or not. I've been almost convinced in both directions so far. I guess that's something.

It's always tricky to fall in love with a series before it's finished. I'm psyched to see how this one ends!

In sucked in right off the bat, as expected. Also remembering a discussion with my wife about the spelling of Berenstain bears. I didn't realize this was a whole internet fascination, just figured we both remembered the same (wrong) spelling from our childhood. Thanks internet. https://mandelaeffect.com/berenstein-...

I really liked The Three-Body Problem. Because of that, I stuck with this book longer than I otherwise might have. I want to know what happens in this series, but I'm almost halfway through it and not into it at all. I can't decide if I'm giving up the series for good or just need a break. Either way, I don't want to read this book right now :(.