50 Books like The Essential Engineer

Invention by Design; How Engineers Get from Thought to Thing

by Petroski • 1996

Paper clips, fax machines, bridges: what their shortcomings reveal about the logic of engineering.

3.75

351

🛠️ Engineering Design 🏛️ History Of Technology 💥 Failure Analysis 🧪 Material Science 🔗 Systems Thinking

Invention by Design; How Engineers Get from Thought to Thing Summary

Invention by Design; How Engineers Get from Thought to Thing 96%

Paper clips, fax machines, bridges: what their shortcomings reveal about the logic of engineering.

by Petroski 1996

3.75

351 ratings

🛠️ Engineering Design 🏛️ History Of Technology 💥 Failure Analysis 🧪 Material Science 🔗 Systems Thinking

The Things We Make

by Bill Hammack • 2023

Engineering isn't applied science: it's the art of solving problems before anyone understands them.

3.75

1k+

🛠️ History Of Technology 🏗️ Engineering Culture 💡 Design Thinking 🧭 Heuristics 🔧 Incremental Innovation

The Things We Make 95%

Engineering isn't applied science: it's the art of solving problems before anyone understands them.

by Bill Hammack 2023

3.75

1k+ ratings

🛠️ History Of Technology 🏗️ Engineering Culture 💡 Design Thinking 🧭 Heuristics 🔧 Incremental Innovation

To Engineer Is Human

by Henry Petroski • 1985

Every disaster is a lesson plan. Bridges stay up because engineers study the ones that fell.

3.69

3k+

🏗️ Structural Engineering 💡 Design Thinking 🔍 Failure Analysis ⏳ History Of Technology ⚠️ Human Error

To Engineer Is Human 95%

Every disaster is a lesson plan. Bridges stay up because engineers study the ones that fell.

by Henry Petroski 1985

3.69

3k+ ratings

🏗️ Structural Engineering 💡 Design Thinking 🔍 Failure Analysis ⏳ History Of Technology ⚠️ Human Error

How the World Really Works

by Vaclav Smil • 2022

Both doomers and utopians skip the same thing: modern civilization's staggering material scale.

3.94

14k+

⚡ Energy Systems 🏭 Industrial Ecology 🌾 Global Food Systems 📊 Quantitative Reasoning ⚖️ Risk Perception

How the World Really Works 94%

Both doomers and utopians skip the same thing: modern civilization's staggering material scale.

by Vaclav Smil 2022

3.94

14k+ ratings

⚡ Energy Systems 🏭 Industrial Ecology 🌾 Global Food Systems 📊 Quantitative Reasoning ⚖️ Risk Perception

Small Things Considered

by Henry Petroski • 2003

Why nothing works perfectly: the constraints hiding inside every object you use.

3.40

334

📐 Everyday Design 🔧 Engineering Philosophy ⚖️ Design Constraints 🏛️ Form And Function 🔄 Iterative Improvement

Small Things Considered 94%

Why nothing works perfectly: the constraints hiding inside every object you use.

by Henry Petroski 2003

3.40

334 ratings

📐 Everyday Design 🔧 Engineering Philosophy ⚖️ Design Constraints 🏛️ Form And Function 🔄 Iterative Improvement

You Are Not a Gadget

by Jaron Lanier • 2010

The internet reduces people to data points. The people who built it call that wisdom.

3.57

6k+

🖥️ Digital Criticism 🧑‍💻 Tech Humanism 🤔 Technoskepticism 💼 Creative Economy ⚙️ Technological Determinism

You Are Not a Gadget 94%

The internet reduces people to data points. The people who built it call that wisdom.

by Jaron Lanier 2010

3.57

6k+ ratings

🖥️ Digital Criticism 🧑‍💻 Tech Humanism 🤔 Technoskepticism 💼 Creative Economy ⚙️ Technological Determinism

The Nature of Technology

by W. Brian Arthur • 2009

Technology is nature harnessed, then endlessly recombined. Each invention fuels the next.

3.95

858

🏛️ Philosophy Of Technology 💡 Innovation Theory 🌀 Complexity Science 🔄 Technology Evolution 🔗 Systems Thinking

The Nature of Technology 94%

Technology is nature harnessed, then endlessly recombined. Each invention fuels the next.

by W. Brian Arthur 2009

3.95

858 ratings

🏛️ Philosophy Of Technology 💡 Innovation Theory 🌀 Complexity Science 🔄 Technology Evolution 🔗 Systems Thinking

The Art of Doing Science and Engineering

by Richard W. Hamming • 1996

What separates great scientists from good ones: they pick better problems.

4.18

2k+

🧠 Scientific Thinking ⚙️ Engineering Practice 💻 Computational Thinking 🔬 Research Methods 🔗 Interdisciplinary

The Art of Doing Science and Engineering Summary

The Art of Doing Science and Engineering 94%

What separates great scientists from good ones: they pick better problems.

by Richard W. Hamming 1996

4.18

2k+ ratings

🧠 Scientific Thinking ⚙️ Engineering Practice 💻 Computational Thinking 🔬 Research Methods 🔗 Interdisciplinary

Success through Failure

by Henry Petroski • 2006

Every triumph contains the seed of its collapse; the art of design is spotting it early.

3.60

201

🧱 Engineering Failures 💡 Learning From Failure 📐 Design Theory 🔄 Systems Thinking 📜 Technological History

Success through Failure 94%

Every triumph contains the seed of its collapse; the art of design is spotting it early.

by Henry Petroski 2006

3.60

201 ratings

🧱 Engineering Failures 💡 Learning From Failure 📐 Design Theory 🔄 Systems Thinking 📜 Technological History

Ruined by Design

by Mike Monteiro • 2019

Every harmful app was a designer's decision. The principles for refusing to build the next one.

4.11

2k+

🧭 Design Ethics 🌐 Tech Criticism 🌈 Diversity In Tech ✊ Collective Action ⚖️ Platform Accountability

Ruined by Design 94%

Every harmful app was a designer's decision. The principles for refusing to build the next one.

by Mike Monteiro 2019

4.11

2k+ ratings

🧭 Design Ethics 🌐 Tech Criticism 🌈 Diversity In Tech ✊ Collective Action ⚖️ Platform Accountability

How Infrastructure Works

by Deb Chachra • 2023

The hidden networks you rely on were built for a climate that no longer exists.

3.64

937

🏗️ Infrastructure Design 🧩 Systems Thinking 🕸️ Network Effects ⚡ Energy Transition ⚖️ Environmental Justice

How Infrastructure Works 94%

The hidden networks you rely on were built for a climate that no longer exists.

by Deb Chachra 2023

3.64

937 ratings

🏗️ Infrastructure Design 🧩 Systems Thinking 🕸️ Network Effects ⚡ Energy Transition ⚖️ Environmental Justice

The Perfectionists

by Simon Winchester • 2018

From cylinders to microchips: the hidden pursuit of perfect smoothness that built the modern world.

4.15

7k+

🔧 History Of Technology 🏭 Industrial Revolution 🔍 Microhistory 🏗️ Mass Production 💥 Scientific Failures

The Perfectionists 94%

From cylinders to microchips: the hidden pursuit of perfect smoothness that built the modern world.

by Simon Winchester 2018

4.15

7k+ ratings

🔧 History Of Technology 🏭 Industrial Revolution 🔍 Microhistory 🏗️ Mass Production 💥 Scientific Failures

Bad Ideas?

by Robert Winston • 2009

Writing, farming, and nuclear power share an uncomfortable secret: each was supposed to save us.

3.56

142

⚙️ History Of Technology 🔄 Unintended Consequences 📈 Progress Studies ⚠️ Risk Assessment 🌍 Environmental Impacts

Bad Ideas? 94%

Writing, farming, and nuclear power share an uncomfortable secret: each was supposed to save us.

by Robert Winston 2009

3.56

142 ratings

⚙️ History Of Technology 🔄 Unintended Consequences 📈 Progress Studies ⚠️ Risk Assessment 🌍 Environmental Impacts

Discursive Design

by Bruce M. Tharp • 2019

What if your toaster had an opinion? A field guide to design that argues.

4.36

🧠 Design Theory 🔮 Speculative Design 🔬 Design Research 🎓 Design Education ⚖️ Design Ethics

Discursive Design 94%

What if your toaster had an opinion? A field guide to design that argues.

by Bruce M. Tharp 2019

4.36

25 ratings

🧠 Design Theory 🔮 Speculative Design 🔬 Design Research 🎓 Design Education ⚖️ Design Ethics

The Clock Of The Long Now

by Stewart Brand • 1999

In an age of acceleration, the most subversive object is a clock that barely moves.

4.10

809

🕰️ Long-Term Thinking ⏳ Deep Time ⚡ Tech Acceleration 🔍 Tech Critique 🔗 Systems Thinking

The Clock Of The Long Now 94%

In an age of acceleration, the most subversive object is a clock that barely moves.

by Stewart Brand 1999

4.10

809 ratings

🕰️ Long-Term Thinking ⏳ Deep Time ⚡ Tech Acceleration 🔍 Tech Critique 🔗 Systems Thinking

Speculative Everything

by Anthony Dunne • 2013

Most design fixes problems. This design invents fictional worlds to test-drive better ones.

4.12

999

🧐 Design Criticism 🔮 Futures Thinking ⚙️ Technology Studies 💭 Social Imagination 🌍 World Building

Speculative Everything 94%

Most design fixes problems. This design invents fictional worlds to test-drive better ones.

by Anthony Dunne 2013

4.12

999 ratings

🧐 Design Criticism 🔮 Futures Thinking ⚙️ Technology Studies 💭 Social Imagination 🌍 World Building

Program or Be Programmed

by Douglas Rushkoff • 2010

Digital tools have biases. If you can't read their code, someone else writes your behavior.

3.72

2k+

🌐 Media Ecology ⚖️ Technological Bias 🎮 Digital Agency ⏰ Attention Economy 💻 Code Literacy

Program or Be Programmed 94%

Digital tools have biases. If you can't read their code, someone else writes your behavior.

by Douglas Rushkoff 2010

3.72

2k+ ratings

🌐 Media Ecology ⚖️ Technological Bias 🎮 Digital Agency ⏰ Attention Economy 💻 Code Literacy

The Glass Cage

by Nicholas Carr • 2014

The more machines take over, the less we can do ourselves: automation's hidden trade-off.

3.75

2k+

🔬 Technology And Cognition 🏭 Automation And Society 🔍 Technological Skepticism 📉 De-Skilling 🧑‍💻 Human-Centered Design

The Glass Cage 93%

The more machines take over, the less we can do ourselves: automation's hidden trade-off.

by Nicholas Carr 2014

3.75

2k+ ratings

🔬 Technology And Cognition 🏭 Automation And Society 🔍 Technological Skepticism 📉 De-Skilling 🧑‍💻 Human-Centered Design

Design for a Better World

by Donald A. Norman • 2023

Everything around you was designed: economy, waste, climate. Design can repair what it broke.

3.61

198

🔄 Circular Economy 🌿 Sustainable Design 🧠 Systems Thinking 🤖 Technology And Society 📊 Beyond GDP

Design for a Better World 93%

Everything around you was designed: economy, waste, climate. Design can repair what it broke.

by Donald A. Norman 2023

3.61

198 ratings

🔄 Circular Economy 🌿 Sustainable Design 🧠 Systems Thinking 🤖 Technology And Society 📊 Beyond GDP

Falter

by Bill McKibben • 2019

Engineers want to redesign humans as the climate exit. The two crises share a cause.

4.00

2k+

🤖 Tech Ethics ⚠️ Existential Risk 🛢️ Fossil Fuel Deception ☀️ Renewable Energy ✊ Nonviolent Resistance

Falter 93%

Engineers want to redesign humans as the climate exit. The two crises share a cause.

by Bill McKibben 2019

4.00

2k+ ratings

🤖 Tech Ethics ⚠️ Existential Risk 🛢️ Fossil Fuel Deception ☀️ Renewable Energy ✊ Nonviolent Resistance

Design for the Real World

by Victor Papanek • 1972

Design fills the world with disposables. A manifesto for building what people actually need.

4.24

2k+

🏭 Industrial Design ⚖️ Design Ethics 🌱 Sustainable Design ♻️ Planned Obsolescence 🔧 Appropriate Technology

Design for the Real World 93%

Design fills the world with disposables. A manifesto for building what people actually need.

by Victor Papanek 1972

4.24

2k+ ratings

🏭 Industrial Design ⚖️ Design Ethics 🌱 Sustainable Design ♻️ Planned Obsolescence 🔧 Appropriate Technology

You Belong to the Universe

by Jonathan Keats • 2016

Buckminster Fuller never built a world-saving machine. He invented a way of thinking that could.

3.65

393

🕸️ Systems Thinking 🦎 Biomimicry 🚀 Futurism 🏙️ Utopian Design 💡 Design Philosophy

You Belong to the Universe 93%

Buckminster Fuller never built a world-saving machine. He invented a way of thinking that could.

by Jonathan Keats 2016

3.65

393 ratings

🕸️ Systems Thinking 🦎 Biomimicry 🚀 Futurism 🏙️ Utopian Design 💡 Design Philosophy

Civil Engineering

by David Muir Wood • 2012

Why bridges stand and dams hold: a compact tour of civil engineering, from soil to steel.

3.61

137

🏗️ Civil Infrastructure 🧱 Construction Materials ⚙️ Engineering Basics 🏛️ Structural Design 💧 Water Infrastructure

Civil Engineering 93%

Why bridges stand and dams hold: a compact tour of civil engineering, from soil to steel.

by David Muir Wood 2012

3.61

137 ratings

🏗️ Civil Infrastructure 🧱 Construction Materials ⚙️ Engineering Basics 🏛️ Structural Design 💧 Water Infrastructure

Radical Technologies

by Adam Greenfield • 2017

Eight technologies that run your day: the invisible tradeoffs reshaping power, work, and identity.

4.02

1k+

⚡ Tech Criticism 👁️ Surveillance Capitalism ⚖️ Ethics Of Technology 🤖 Automation Anxiety 🖨️ Digital Fabrication

Radical Technologies 93%

Eight technologies that run your day: the invisible tradeoffs reshaping power, work, and identity.

by Adam Greenfield 2017

4.02

1k+ ratings

⚡ Tech Criticism 👁️ Surveillance Capitalism ⚖️ Ethics Of Technology 🤖 Automation Anxiety 🖨️ Digital Fabrication

The Golem (Canto Classics)

by Harry Collins • 1992

Science, like a golem, is powerful but clumsy. Its real process is social, not neat method.

3.77

341

🔬 Sociology Of Science 🤔 Philosophy Of Science 🧪 Scientific Method 🧫 Laboratory Studies 🌍 Science And Society

The Golem (Canto Classics) 93%

Science, like a golem, is powerful but clumsy. Its real process is social, not neat method.

by Harry Collins 1992

3.77

341 ratings

🔬 Sociology Of Science 🤔 Philosophy Of Science 🧪 Scientific Method 🧫 Laboratory Studies 🌍 Science And Society

Rage Inside the Machine

by Robert Elliott Smith • 2019

Algorithms reduce reality to neat categories. Prejudice is not a bug but the predictable exhaust.

3.97

145

🧩 Algorithmic Bias 🤖 AI Ethics 💻 Tech Criticism 🎲 History Of Probability 🕸️ Complex Systems

Rage Inside the Machine 93%

Algorithms reduce reality to neat categories. Prejudice is not a bug but the predictable exhaust.

by Robert Elliott Smith 2019

3.97

145 ratings

🧩 Algorithmic Bias 🤖 AI Ethics 💻 Tech Criticism 🎲 History Of Probability 🕸️ Complex Systems

To Save Everything, Click Here

by Evgeny Morozov • 2013

Silicon Valley promised a world without friction. Friction, mess, and dissent are what keep us free.

3.67

1k+

💻 Tech Criticism 🗳️ Internet Politics ⚖️ Algorithms And Bias ⚙️ Technological Determinism 🪓 Neo-Luddism

To Save Everything, Click Here 93%

Silicon Valley promised a world without friction. Friction, mess, and dissent are what keep us free.

by Evgeny Morozov 2013

3.67

1k+ ratings

💻 Tech Criticism 🗳️ Internet Politics ⚖️ Algorithms And Bias ⚙️ Technological Determinism 🪓 Neo-Luddism

21 Lessons for the 21st Century

by Yuval Noah Harari • 2018

How to think in a century where jobs vanish, truths splinter, and biology becomes programmable.

4.15

179k+

🧭 Big History 🤖 Future Of Work ⚖️ Ai Ethics 📰 Post-Truth Politics 🌊 Information Overload

21 Lessons for the 21st Century 93%

How to think in a century where jobs vanish, truths splinter, and biology becomes programmable.

by Yuval Noah Harari 2018

4.15

179k+ ratings

🧭 Big History 🤖 Future Of Work ⚖️ Ai Ethics 📰 Post-Truth Politics 🌊 Information Overload

How We Got to Now

by Steven Johnson • 2014

Six ordinary breakthroughs built the modern world; their biggest consequences were never planned.

4.12

16k+

🕰️ History Of Technology 💡 Everyday Inventions 🦋 Ripple Effects 🏙️ Hidden Systems 🤝 Collaborative Innovation

How We Got to Now 93%

Six ordinary breakthroughs built the modern world; their biggest consequences were never planned.

by Steven Johnson 2014

4.12

16k+ ratings

🕰️ History Of Technology 💡 Everyday Inventions 🦋 Ripple Effects 🏙️ Hidden Systems 🤝 Collaborative Innovation

Alone Together

by Sherry Turkle • 2011

Robots comfort the elderly, screens raise children. What we lose when machines mediate intimacy.

3.62

6k+

🤖 Social Robotics 📱 Digital Isolation 🎭 Online Identity 💌 Mediated Intimacy 🔔 Always On Culture

Alone Together 93%

Robots comfort the elderly, screens raise children. What we lose when machines mediate intimacy.

by Sherry Turkle 2011

3.62

6k+ ratings

🤖 Social Robotics 📱 Digital Isolation 🎭 Online Identity 💌 Mediated Intimacy 🔔 Always On Culture

The Ethical Algorithm

by Michael Kearns • 2019

Algorithms don't do ethics by default. Making them fair takes math, and the math demands trade-offs.

4.10

671

⚖️ Algorithmic Bias 🔒 Data Privacy 🤖 Ai Ethics 🎲 Game Theory 🔬 Reproducibility Crisis

The Ethical Algorithm 93%

Algorithms don't do ethics by default. Making them fair takes math, and the math demands trade-offs.

by Michael Kearns 2019

4.10

671 ratings

⚖️ Algorithmic Bias 🔒 Data Privacy 🤖 Ai Ethics 🎲 Game Theory 🔬 Reproducibility Crisis

The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels

by Alex Epstein • 2014

Climate deaths fell 98% this century. Fossil fuels caused that, and their moral defense is overdue.

4.07

2k+

⚡ Energy Policy 🌡️ Climate Debate 🔧 Techno-Optimism 🔍 Eco-Skepticism 🏛️ Objectivist Philosophy

The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels 93%

Climate deaths fell 98% this century. Fossil fuels caused that, and their moral defense is overdue.

by Alex Epstein 2014

4.07

2k+ ratings

⚡ Energy Policy 🌡️ Climate Debate 🔧 Techno-Optimism 🔍 Eco-Skepticism 🏛️ Objectivist Philosophy

Genesis

by Henry Kissinger • 2024

AI rewrites power, prosperity, and human dignity. A statesman on the philosophy to meet it.

3.53

2k+

🤖 Ai Governance 📡 Technology Policy ⚠️ Existential Risk ⚖️ Ethics Of Technology 🌐 Political Realism

Genesis 93%

AI rewrites power, prosperity, and human dignity. A statesman on the philosophy to meet it.

by Henry Kissinger 2024

3.53

2k+ ratings

🤖 Ai Governance 📡 Technology Policy ⚠️ Existential Risk ⚖️ Ethics Of Technology 🌐 Political Realism

Going Nuclear

by Tim Gregory • 2025

Nuclear is the cleanest, safest, densest energy on Earth. Only irrational fear stands in its way.

4.47

350

🏭 Nuclear Energy 🏛️ Energy Policy 🌍 Climate Solutions 📜 Nuclear History 🌱 Ecomodernism

Going Nuclear 93%

Nuclear is the cleanest, safest, densest energy on Earth. Only irrational fear stands in its way.

by Tim Gregory 2025

4.47

350 ratings

🏭 Nuclear Energy 🏛️ Energy Policy 🌍 Climate Solutions 📜 Nuclear History 🌱 Ecomodernism

How to Fix the Future

by Andrew Keen • 2017

The digital revolution feels unprecedented. It isn't. The fix is the same as last time.

3.36

273

🌐 Digital Society ⚖️ Tech Policy 🔮 Technological Determinism ✋ Digital Humanism 🏙️ Smart Cities

How to Fix the Future 93%

The digital revolution feels unprecedented. It isn't. The fix is the same as last time.

by Andrew Keen 2017

3.36

273 ratings

🌐 Digital Society ⚖️ Tech Policy 🔮 Technological Determinism ✋ Digital Humanism 🏙️ Smart Cities

Notes on the Synthesis of Form

by Christopher W. Alexander • 1964

Intuition fails modern design. The answer: map all failures, then solve one subsystem at a time.

4.06

758

🛠️ Design Methodology 🏛️ Architectural Theory 🔗 Systems Thinking 🔬 Design Science 🧩 Problem Decomposition

Notes on the Synthesis of Form 93%

Intuition fails modern design. The answer: map all failures, then solve one subsystem at a time.

by Christopher W. Alexander 1964

4.06

758 ratings

🛠️ Design Methodology 🏛️ Architectural Theory 🔗 Systems Thinking 🔬 Design Science 🧩 Problem Decomposition

Whole Earth

by John Markoff • 2022

One LSD trip, one catalog, and the man who connected the counterculture to the computer age.

3.90

242

🌻 Counterculture History 🕸️ Systems Thinking 🌍 Environmental Pragmatism ⏳ Long-Term Thinking 🌉 Californian Ideology

Whole Earth 93%

One LSD trip, one catalog, and the man who connected the counterculture to the computer age.

by John Markoff 2022

3.90

242 ratings

🌻 Counterculture History 🕸️ Systems Thinking 🌍 Environmental Pragmatism ⏳ Long-Term Thinking 🌉 Californian Ideology

System Error

by Rob Reich • 2021

Tech companies optimized for growth and broke democracy. The cure is political, not digital.

3.82

608

⚖️ Algorithmic Bias 🔒 Data Privacy 🤖 Automation And Labor 🧑‍💻 Tech Criticism 💰 Venture Capital

System Error 93%

Tech companies optimized for growth and broke democracy. The cure is political, not digital.

by Rob Reich 2021

3.82

608 ratings

⚖️ Algorithmic Bias 🔒 Data Privacy 🤖 Automation And Labor 🧑‍💻 Tech Criticism 💰 Venture Capital

Everyday Chaos

by David Weinberger • 2019

A medical AI diagnoses illness but can't explain how. The age of demanding explanations is over.

3.78

202

🔬 Complexity Science 🔄 Systems Thinking 🤖 Machine Learning 💻 Digital Strategy 🔓 Open Platforms

Everyday Chaos 93%

A medical AI diagnoses illness but can't explain how. The age of demanding explanations is over.

by David Weinberger 2019

3.78

202 ratings

🔬 Complexity Science 🔄 Systems Thinking 🤖 Machine Learning 💻 Digital Strategy 🔓 Open Platforms

User Friendly

by Cliff Kuang • 2019

Effortless design was forged by war, marketing, and psychology, and its ease hides a cost.

4.13

3k+

📜 Design History 🖥️ User Experience 🧠 Human Factors 💡 Design Thinking 🤲 Human-Centered Design

User Friendly 93%

Effortless design was forged by war, marketing, and psychology, and its ease hides a cost.

by Cliff Kuang 2019

4.13

3k+ ratings

📜 Design History 🖥️ User Experience 🧠 Human Factors 💡 Design Thinking 🤲 Human-Centered Design

Structures

by J.E. Gordon • 1978

The hidden physics that keeps the world standing, and the surprising ways everything still breaks.

4.14

4k+

🏗️ Structural Engineering 🧪 Materials Science 💥 Structural Failure 🎨 Design Principles 🦴 Biomechanics

Structures 93%

The hidden physics that keeps the world standing, and the surprising ways everything still breaks.

by J.E. Gordon 1978

4.14

4k+ ratings

🏗️ Structural Engineering 🧪 Materials Science 💥 Structural Failure 🎨 Design Principles 🦴 Biomechanics

The Precipice

by Toby Ord • 2020

The next hundred years will decide if humanity colonizes the galaxy or destroys itself trying.

3.94

5k+

🧨 Existential Risk ⏳ Longtermism 🤖 Ai Safety ☢️ Nuclear Risk 🦠 Pandemic Preparedness

The Precipice 93%

The next hundred years will decide if humanity colonizes the galaxy or destroys itself trying.

by Toby Ord 2020

3.94

5k+ ratings

🧨 Existential Risk ⏳ Longtermism 🤖 Ai Safety ☢️ Nuclear Risk 🦠 Pandemic Preparedness

The Genesis Machine

by Amy Webb • 2022

Life is becoming programmable. The technology is here; the rules for using it are not.

3.94

745

🧬 Synthetic Biology 📋 Science Policy ⚖️ Bioethics 🔮 Futurism 🧫 Reproductive Technology

The Genesis Machine 93%

Life is becoming programmable. The technology is here; the rules for using it are not.

by Amy Webb 2022

3.94

745 ratings

🧬 Synthetic Biology 📋 Science Policy ⚖️ Bioethics 🔮 Futurism 🧫 Reproductive Technology

Engineering in Plain Sight

by Grady Hillhouse • 2022

An illustrated field guide to the engineering secrets embedded in every street, pole, and bridge.

4.20

856

🏗️ Civil Engineering 🏙️ Built Environment ⚡ Infrastructure 🔧 Everyday Engineering 🔍 Field Guides

Engineering in Plain Sight 93%

An illustrated field guide to the engineering secrets embedded in every street, pole, and bridge.

by Grady Hillhouse 2022

4.20

856 ratings

🏗️ Civil Engineering 🏙️ Built Environment ⚡ Infrastructure 🔧 Everyday Engineering 🔍 Field Guides

A Human Algorithm

by Flynn Coleman • 2019

Machines are learning to think. The real question is whether we will remember how to feel.

3.58

299

🤖 Ai Ethics 💼 Future Of Work ⚖️ Algorithmic Bias 🧠 Machine Consciousness 🌍 Diversity In Tech

A Human Algorithm 93%

Machines are learning to think. The real question is whether we will remember how to feel.

by Flynn Coleman 2019

3.58

299 ratings

🤖 Ai Ethics 💼 Future Of Work ⚖️ Algorithmic Bias 🧠 Machine Consciousness 🌍 Diversity In Tech

Tech Agnostic

by Greg Epstein • 2024

Technology sold you a faith: saints, sacraments, apocalypse. The humanist case for walking away.

3.49

156

🕉️ Digital Religion ⚙️ Technology Criticism 🤔 Techno-Skepticism 🤖 Algorithmic Bias 📱 Phone Addiction

Tech Agnostic 92%

Technology sold you a faith: saints, sacraments, apocalypse. The humanist case for walking away.

by Greg Epstein 2024

3.49

156 ratings

🕉️ Digital Religion ⚙️ Technology Criticism 🤔 Techno-Skepticism 🤖 Algorithmic Bias 📱 Phone Addiction

Too Big to Know

by David Weinberger • 2012

Knowledge on paper was settled and scarce. Online, it is abundant, linked, and never finished.

3.80

2k+

🕸️ Networked Knowledge 📚 Information Overload 🏛️ Authority And Expertise 🔬 Open Science 🐝 Collective Intelligence

Too Big to Know 92%

Knowledge on paper was settled and scarce. Online, it is abundant, linked, and never finished.

by David Weinberger 2012

3.80

2k+ ratings

🕸️ Networked Knowledge 📚 Information Overload 🏛️ Authority And Expertise 🔬 Open Science 🐝 Collective Intelligence

Optimal Illusions

by Coco Krumme • 2023

Optimization promised perfection. It delivered fragile systems and hollowed communities.

3.00

238

🏭 Efficiency Critique 🔗 Systems Thinking 🐌 Slow Living 🏡 Localism 🤖 Humane Technology

Optimal Illusions 92%

Optimization promised perfection. It delivered fragile systems and hollowed communities.

by Coco Krumme 2023

3.00

238 ratings

🏭 Efficiency Critique 🔗 Systems Thinking 🐌 Slow Living 🏡 Localism 🤖 Humane Technology

Earth in Human Hands

by David Grinspoon • 2016

If most civilizations burn out within a thousand years, why would we be the exception?

4.19

311

🏭 Anthropocene Studies 🪐 Planetary Science ⏳ Civilizational Longevity 👽 Astrobiology 🌡️ Geoengineering

Earth in Human Hands 92%

If most civilizations burn out within a thousand years, why would we be the exception?

by David Grinspoon 2016

4.19

311 ratings

🏭 Anthropocene Studies 🪐 Planetary Science ⏳ Civilizational Longevity 👽 Astrobiology 🌡️ Geoengineering

The Road Taken

by Henry Petroski • 2016

The $121 billion congestion tax: what the history of pavement says about fixing America's roads.

3.44

529

🏛️ Infrastructure Policy 🔧 Engineering History 🛣️ Road Design 🚦 Traffic Engineering ⚠️ Failure Studies

The Road Taken 92%

The $121 billion congestion tax: what the history of pavement says about fixing America's roads.

by Henry Petroski 2016

3.44

529 ratings

🏛️ Infrastructure Policy 🔧 Engineering History 🛣️ Road Design 🚦 Traffic Engineering ⚠️ Failure Studies

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