Books Recommended by Elon Musk
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Life 3.0
Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Max Tegmark
Source: "A compelling guide to the challenges and choices in our quest for a great future of life, intelligence and consciousness—on Earth and beyond." - Elon Musk
On War
Carl von Clausewitz
Source: "There should be a chapter saying 'if you have a decisive technology advantage, you can actually win with minimal casualties.'" - Elon Musk
4 recommenders
Superintelligence
Paths, Dangers, Strategies
Nick Bostrom
Source: "Worth reading [this book]. We need to be super careful with AI. Potentially more dangerous than nukes." - Elon Musk
Dune (6 books)
Frank Herbert
Source: "Brilliant. [The author] advocates placing limits on machine intelligence." - Elon Musk
Merchants of Doubt
How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming
Naomi Oreskes
Source: "Worth reading [this book]. Same who tried to deny smoking deaths are denying climate change." - Elon Musk
1 recommender
Acts of Love
Talulah Riley
Source: "All characters – even those based on real people – are entirely fictional..." - Elon Musk
1 recommender
The Capitalist Manifesto
Johan Norberg
Source: "An excellent explanation of why capitalism is not just successful, but morally right, especially chapter 4." - Elon Musk
1 recommender
Game of Thrones (5 books)
George R. R. Martin
Source: "Best books in recent years imo are Iain Banks & George Martin." - Elon Musk
3 recommenders
Deep Learning
Ian Goodfellow
Source: "Written by three experts in the field, [this book] is the only comprehensive book on the subject." - Elon Musk
4 recommenders
Screw Business As Usual
Turning Capitalism into a Force for Good
Richard Branson
Source: "This approach should be taken to heart by all, as it really is the smart move." - Elon Musk
1 recommender
Atlas Shrugged
Ayn Rand
Source: "A counterpoint to communism and useful as such, but should be tempered with kindness." - Elon Musk
Culture (10 books)
Iain M. Banks
Source: "Compelling picture of a grand, semi-utopian galactic future. Hopefully not too optimistic about AI." - Elon Musk
5 recommenders
Waiting for Godot
A Tragicomedy in Two Acts
Samuel Beckett
Source: "Have recently come to appreciate the awesome, absurdist humor of [this book]." - Elon Musk
1 recommender
Explore/Create
My Life in Pursuit of New Frontiers, Hidden Worlds, and the Creative Spark
Richard Garriott
Source: "A chronicle of wonder, and the many wondrous things the future may hold." - Elon Musk
1 recommender
The Selfish Gene
Richard Dawkins
Source: "Most people don't realize that the origin of the word 'meme' is [this book]." - Elon Musk
Foundation (7 books)
Isaac Asimov
Source: "[This series is] fundamental to [the] creation of SpaceX." - Elon Musk
Catherine the Great
Portrait of a Woman
Robert K. Massie
Source: "I know what you're probably thinking ... did she really f* a horse?" - Elon Musk
1 recommender
Structures
Or Why Things Don't Fall Down
J. E. Gordon
Source: "Really, really good if you want a primer on structural design." - Elon Musk
1 recommender
The Fault in Our Stars
John Green
Source: "Must admit to liking [this book]. Sad, romantic and beautifully named." - Elon Musk
3 recommenders
The Lord of the Rings (4 books)
J. R. R. Tolkien
Source: "I know it's cliche, but [this] is my favorite book ever." - Elon Musk
94 books
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