The Mind's I
Douglas Hofstadter, Daniel Dennett
12 people recommended it in 9 threads, 2007–2020.
What people on Hacker News said
I would recommend The Mind's I instead. It's a collection of stories and essays from most of his influences, see what Turing, Lucas, et al. actually said.
In this theme, "The Mind's I" by Hofstadter and Dennett is an interesting combination of short-form sci-fi and philosophy of consciousness. It presents a well-chosen sci-fi story that explores an extreme modification to one of the parameters of consciousness, followed by an essay analyzing the consequences of that thought experiment.
"Godel, Escher, Bach" and "The Mind's I" completely broke down the rigid models I had for how I perceive objects around me and my place in the world.
The Mind's I, by Douglas Hofstadter and Daniel Dennett Blowed my mind when I read the Chinese translation of this book 25 years ago in College.
Where it comes up
- Ask HN: Mind bending books to read and never be the same as before? 2020 · 3 recommendations
- Alan Kay's answer to ‘what are some forgotten books programmers should read?’ 2019 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything? 2019 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What are your favorite books of all time, and why? 2017 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What books have made the biggest impact on your mental models? 2017 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Books you wish you had read earlier? 2017 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What is the most mind blowing book you've ever read? 2015 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Great books you read in 2009? 2010 · 1 recommendation
- Ask YC: favorite books 2007 · 1 recommendation