Reading List
As a leader in technology, I’m frequently asked by interns and team members for book recommendations to help them grow both professionally and personally. I find myself recommending these books time and again because they provide the foundational knowledge and practical insights that I think aspiring professionals in technology should have. Covering essential topics like leadership, futurism, and practical money management, these books are straightforward and accessible.
ChatGPT/Ghiblify
Foundational Leadership
-
Getting to Yes - Roger Fisher
A seminal book on negotiation tactics that emphasizes finding mutually acceptable solutions. -
The New One Minute Manager - Ken Blanchard
A quick guide to effective management, focusing on setting goals, praising, and reprimanding employees. -
Who Moved My Cheese? - Spencer Johnson
An allegorical story that teaches how to adapt to change in your personal and professional life. -
The Effective Executive - Peter Drucker
Essential reading for decision-makers, offering timeless advice on time management, prioritization, and leadership. -
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen R. Covey
A classic book on personal development and leadership, focusing on building character and achieving personal and professional goals through seven foundational habits.
Practical Money Management
-
Rich Dad, Poor Dad - Robert T. Kiyosaki
A personal finance book that emphasizes the importance of financial education and investment. -
The Dave Ramsey Homeschool Course - Dave Ramsey
Originally designed for homeschool students, this personal finance course provides foundational money management skills that are valuable for anyone, regardless of age. Even if you’re well out of high school, it’s worth the time to read and apply these principles to your financial life.
What is the Technological Singularity?
The technological singularity represents a hypothetical future point when artificial intelligence and technological growth become so advanced that they fundamentally transform the human condition in unpredictable ways. These resources explore various perspectives on this concept through both fiction and non-fiction.
-
Manna: Two Visions of Humanity's Future - Marshall Brain
A thought-provoking novella that presents two contrasting visions of how advanced AI and automation might reshape society—one dystopian, one utopian. -
J3: A Science Fiction Story - Darryl T. Agostinelli
A speculative fiction piece exploring themes of consciousness, AI, and human-machine interaction. -
Diamond Age - Neal Stephenson
A science fiction novel that explores the impact of nanotechnology on society and education in a post-singularity world. -
Darryl Agostinelli on Deep Takes Not Fakes Podcast
A podcast discussion exploring AI, technology trends, and implications for the future of human-machine collaboration. -
The Coming Technological Singularity - Vernor Vinge
The seminal 1993 essay that popularized the concept of the technological singularity, exploring how accelerating technological advancement may lead to superhuman intelligence. -
The Singularity is Nearer - Ray Kurzweil
A forward-looking examination of technological advances that are driving humanity toward the Singularity, where artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence. -
The Matrix - The Wachowskis
A groundbreaking film that explores the nature of reality, consciousness, and the potential consequences of AI dominance over humanity.
Expanding Horizons
-
The E-Myth Revisited - Michael E. Gerber
Essential reading for entrepreneurs that explains why most small businesses fail and how to build a business that works by creating systems and processes. -
The Personal MBA - Josh Kaufman
A guide to mastering business principles without the need for a formal MBA. -
Lessons for the Young Economist - Robert P. Murphy
An introductory book that explains economic principles in a clear and engaging way. -
Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology - Ayn Rand
A foundational work on Ayn Rand's theory of knowledge, presenting her philosophy on concepts, objectivity, and the nature of human understanding. -
The Daily Drucker - Peter Drucker
A collection of daily insights from the father of modern management, Peter Drucker. -
On the Shortness of Life - Seneca
A profound philosophical essay by Seneca that explores the fleeting nature of time and how to make the most of our lives. -
Letters from a Stoic - Seneca
A collection of letters offering practical wisdom on how to live a virtuous life. -
Ego is the Enemy - Ryan Holiday
A book that explores the destructive power of ego and how to overcome it for personal growth. -
Philosophy of Programming
A curated list of essential philosophical readings for programmers and technologists, extending and complementing the insights provided in this list.
