What book(s) really caused a mindset shift for you, and in what way?

[AreaCode707]

The Abolition of Man was one that really got me thinking. I generally didn't much consider the effects of the new learning age, but the book really got me thinking about how certain principles that are now being taught ingrain basic assumptions about the world into kids without anybody ever really openly evaluating those basic assumptions.

 

[Legendary]

Nietzsche - Thus Spoke Zarathustra/The Genealogy of Morality - yes it was Freshman Western Civ, but it still changed my outlook on a whole lot of things in a sort of inexplicable way.
Orwell - 1984 - I've never looked at the media in the same way again.
Plato - Apology - there's one section where "Socrates" discusses death in such a logical way...also hard to explain its effects.

 

[shortylickens]

Starship Troopers

 

[Zenmervolt]

Nietzsche - "The Antichrist". Taught me the meaning of that old saying, "Fools rush in..."

As for positive influence: Kierkegaard, Hesse, and Persig have all played pretty equal parts. Yes, I know they're authors and not books, but there are too many works by each to choose from.

ZV

 

[notfred]

none, I don't read many books.

 

[tami]

harry potter made me look at people like they are muggles.

 

[Yossarian]

Catch 22. I'm not kidding.

 

[Reckoner]

Tuesdays with Morrie

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: Yossarian
Catch 22. I'm not kidding.

I actually know several people who consider that book to be a turning point work, but I haven't read it all the way through myself. How did it change your mindset?

 

[czech09]

I'd have to say 1984 as well.

 

[StevenYoo]

Originally posted by: shortylickens
Starship Troopers

i'll 2nd that.

 

[chuckywang]

The Sex Book by Madonna when I was 8.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: HotChic
The Abolition of Man was one that really got me thinking. I generally didn't much consider the effects of the new learning age, but the book really got me thinking about how certain principles that are now being taught ingrain basic assumptions about the world into kids without anybody ever really openly evaluating those basic assumptions.

Please stop the philosophy threads.

 

[pyonir]

Black Like Me - John Howard Griffin.

 

[iamwiz82]

I have read a lot of books, ranging from Nietzsche, Kant, and Mill, to "Where's Waldo" and Mad Magazine, and nothing has ever affected me in that way.

 

[ponyo]

1984 and Animal Farm. powerful.

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. changed way I viewed comics.

 

Ishmael.
and
Culture Jam.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: HotChic
The Abolition of Man was one that really got me thinking. I generally didn't much consider the effects of the new learning age, but the book really got me thinking about how certain principles that are now being taught ingrain basic assumptions about the world into kids without anybody ever really openly evaluating those basic assumptions.

Seriously, I'd have to say "Rich Dad/Poor Dad".

While I think the author is a bit shady with his claims, it brings up some good basic principles that people often don't know/forget/ignore.


A Brief History of Time was good also.

 

[MeanMeosh]

strangers in a strange land by robert heinlein. the part that caused a mindset shift is when valentine michael smith breaks down humor as humans know it.

i love that part. it made me understand humor so much better.

 

[nageov3t]

The Fountainhead.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: HotChic
The Abolition of Man was one that really got me thinking. I generally didn't much consider the effects of the new learning age, but the book really got me thinking about how certain principles that are now being taught ingrain basic assumptions about the world into kids without anybody ever really openly evaluating those basic assumptions.

Please stop the philosophy threads.

Why, to make room for more nefs?

You have more than 700 posts per month and they look like they're nearly all in OT. I remember a time when this wasn't uncommon and lots of people appreciated and participated in threads like this and 700 post per month nefs were banned if they weren't clever.

How many PMs have you gotten lately with people who appreciate the contribution you're making to the forums?

 

[Brutuskend]

"Life after life", and "reflections on life after life".

I no longer fear death, but any thoughts of EVER killing myself are LONG gone.

You would have to read these books to fully understand...

 

[shortylickens]

Seriously, I'd have to say "Rich Dad/Poor Dad".

While I think the author is a bit shady with his claims, it brings up some good basic principles that people often don't know/forget/ignore.


A Brief History of Time was good also.[/quote]

Oh hells yes, I forgot about those two.
I must admit that Quantum mechanics fvcked my head up good.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: MeanMeosh
strangers in a strange land by robert heinlein. the part that caused a mindset shift is when valentine michael smith breaks down humor as humans know it.

i love that part. it made me understand humor so much better.

I'll have to go reread that part. I really struggled with Stranger - I didn't enjoy it much at all after the first half, and it struck me as overall kinda creepy. Just my personal reaction to it. I keep hearing Starship Troopers is really good and I need to pick it up. Job, Comedy of Errors was more interesting to me than Stranger, even though it still kinda had the creepy factor.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: HotChic


You have more than 700 posts per month and they look like they're nearly all in OT.


How many PMs have you gotten lately with people who appreciate the contribution you're making to the forums?

700.


Don't be so oblivious. I was being humorous, and I even answered your question. If you were a little sharper you would have seen that.