I Am a Strange Loop

I think that even if you disagree with him, it's worth reading because there are so many things you can take away from this book. For example, he talks about his wife's death, and ties that into his theory of mind and explains the unstated purposes of why we have funerals/wakes for people.

on HN, 2019

The things that lead him to thinking critically about consciousness because of his disabled sister I found to be something that changed not only how I interacted with people that were differently abled, but also changed how I saw my own disabilities.

on HN, 2024

Regardless of what you think about what Hofstadter proposes, I think his contribution to critical exploration of the consciousness is artful and invaluable. I think it's fun, compassionate, and beautiful, and it really changed how I see myself and my environment.

on HN, 2024

The book is somewhat life changing, in the questions that it asks. You might find yourself thinking about things differently, such as what it is to be conscious, can we ever achieve artificial intelligence, is there such a thing as fate, how was J.S. Bach able to produce such stunning compositions, etc.

on HN, 2011

Both are excellent reads, but I'd definitely agree IaaSL is far more approachable and a better use of your time.

on HN, 2019

It explores an idea of consciousness as being a side effect over neurological loops becoming recursive. It also gets into the idea that your conscious mind can partially blend into another's.

on HN, 2020

But if you want to know more about how self-reference actually leads to consciousness and more about Hofstadter the person I recommend it.

on HN, 2015