The Information
James Gleick
24 people recommended it in 16 threads, 2011–2023.
What people on Hacker News said
All developers having anything to do with data should read this or at least be familiar with the concepts it covers.
Here was a messaging system that outpaced the best couriers, the fastest horses on good roads with way stations and relays.
A tour of the ideas and technologies underneath how we became so dependent on bits.
It’s not about « computer », but rather the inevitable march toward our now ( with computers )
The Information: James Gleick - really made me take a step back to think about what information is and how we talk about it
When interpreting math/logic as such, I was floored and a lot of things made more sense to me.
overall a really fun read that does a good job of tying together a bunch of different threads of science around information theory.
Where it comes up
- Ask HN: Computer Science/History Books? 2020 · 4 recommendations
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- Ask HN: Books you read in 2023 and recommend for 2024? 2023 · 1 recommendation
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- Ask HN: Which books have made you a better thinker and problem solver? 2022 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: The book that did it for you in math and/or CS? 2022 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Best books you read in the past decade? 2019 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Favorite nonfiction books of 2018? 2018 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Which books have made you introspect? 2018 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What books have made the biggest impact on your mental models? 2017 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What books are you reading? 2017 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift? 2016 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What good books have you read in 2016? 2016 · 1 recommendation
