I read because I need to be informed.
Books are the most effective tools for packaging and distributing ideas.
Reading is valuable only when it is thoughtful, so I am rather selective.
Mental faculties are delicate tools that ought to be used with care.
By reading widely, I desire to apply insights from diverse areas.
In striving to read carefully, it is my aim to secure lasting results.
Science reveals the natural world.
We are tool builders, and ongoing survival requires prudent stewardship.
The progress of civilization is often a matter of scientific advancement.
A scientifically informed understanding profoundly changes one’s perspective, and it enables a level of intelligent discourse otherwise impossible.
Science makes us question ourselves, and this is not a bad thing.
Awareness often vanquishes certainty.
History uncovers the past.
It also illuminates the present.
Where life is short, lessons from previous generations enable growth.
New conflicts are often old ones, only slightly repackaged.
Historical awareness protects from foolish biases and ignorance.
One day, you and I will be history.
I desire to understand it, and to add something to it if possible.
Literature has the potential to uplift.
It reminds us of things that transcend the technical and make us human.
Good literature inspires and delights.
Theology deals with metaphysics.
Puritans dominate my theological reading, and with good reason.
Serious topics require great care.
I mostly read books, but I also subscribe to WIRED, Harvard Business Review, and The New Yorker.
I am often tempted to spend far too much time on Hacker News, but at least I admit it (sometimes).
I believe that a book in the mind is better than a book on the shelf, so I try to remember what I read.
I was recently given a free review copy of The Greener Grass Conspiracy, a new book by Stephen Altrogge. In exchange for my agreement to post a review of the book on my blog, Crossway sent me the book. I am fond of books in general and I was interested in this particular book even before becoming aware of this possibility of obtaining a copy.
This is one of the most important and influential books I have ever read. The material is suitable for all: men and women, young an old. I urge you to work through it carefully!
Sometimes a blunt questioning of conventional wisdom is helpful. The authors of this book try to challenge many assumptions, and make some useful suggestions in the process.
Creativity is a skill that can be developed. This book provides useful tips for personal development and for realizing one's potential. Ignore it at your peril.
Entrepreneurship is attractive; many new businesses are started every year. The sad news is that most of them fail. This book provides help for minimizing the odds of being one of them.
Your website has information, but is it effectively organized? This book provides valuable insights on developing high-quality digital information systems.
PHP is not a bad language, but it is easy to write bad PHP. Use this book to learn how to write professional-quality code in any language, but particularly in PHP5.
Reusable software design is critical to effective software development. This book provides one of the most important collections of patterns for software design. A must-read for every software developer.
The Godly Man's Picture, Drawn with a Scripture Pencil, or, Some Characteristic Marks of a Man who is Going to Heaven is a treasure of Puritan writing. I have greatly benefited from reading this treasure of a book, and commend it to you.
Database systems are being used to store many types of data items. This collection of papers provides a useful overview of the development of the the field of database systems.