If I were ever looking for something to do with my free time...

I just came across the Cognitive Science Millennium Project listing of the 100 most influential works in Cognitive Science. I've heard of many of them, but there isn't a single one I've read more than excerpts from. Most, I know only by reputation or have heard referenced in lectures.

 If I'm ever developing my personal science library, I think this will be a good list to remember.

Formulaic: How to title the next best-seller

Ok, maybe I exaggerate, but check this out:


The only title that doesn't follow the [CATCHY NOUN]: [ACTUAL TITLE] format is "Predictably Irrational". I feel like there's a certain sort of irony there.

Literary Snobbery

There's a huge stereotype surrounding the "indie rocker". You know the type:

- knows loads about music
- dabbles in music creation of their own
- must know a band before they're cool
- once a band sells out, they can't be good.

I think I might be the same way about books. I'm happiest reading something when it isn't *too* cool (exception: Harry Potter). I:

- know a fair amount about science fiction/fantasy literature, I've been an avid reader in the past
- I have dabbled in penning (or typing) my own stories.

Here are the kickers, that make me doubt my interests:

- I like being the person to "discover" an author before their book hits the bestseller list at chapters.
- Once a book is too popular, I feel less good about reading it. I read the Davinci Code on the bus once, and felt like I needed to conceal the cover.

I just bought "Godel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid" with a birthday gift certificate (yes, my birthday was more than six months ago), and I felt it was a very cool and science-y thing to be reading. It would give me cred.

Upon examining it more closely, I have noticed that it's a 20th anniversary re-print. It's been on the New York Times Bestseller List. Tragedy! I'll have to look elsewhere for my indie cred.