Science Book Club discussion

Book suggestions for our Feb book of the month poll. The poll will run Jan 1 to 7.

I will include 2nd place books from previous months in this poll, unless we get at least 5 new suggestions.

Sounds like a good idea. Would definitely like to check the 2nd place books.

Black Hole Blues and Other Songs from Outer Space

If not too late, this one looks interesting to me.

Thanks, Doug

Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness

Also this one from last month's nominations.

A Madman Dreams of Turing Machines

One more.

Thanks for the nominations. We take nominations until the first of the following month when they are turned into a poll. So lots of time yet.

Since the movie was discussed elsewhere, here is the book.

The Imitation Game: Screenplay

Thanks Bill.

Distributed Ledger Technology: The Science of the Blockchain by Roger Wattenhofer

Just curious, does anyone recall if there has ever been a selection that was read and discussed by more than one or two group members? Maybe that would help to make a good decision on what kind of book to pick.

In March there was 11 votes for the poll, but then there was no discussion for that book.

In July it looked like the group was winding down, so I took over running the book selection. We have added about 20 to 30 members since then. I assume that if I keep the group running interest will slowly pick up.

Hopefully someone will take over getting the discussions going, because I am no good at that sort of thing, even when I get the book read.

We need more people with book suggestions, since the ones I have been coming up with haven't generated a lot of excitement.

There must be a critical number of members that we have to pass before the group becomes more active whether in book discussions or suggestions.

Probably right Vdy. In the mean-time, a big thanks to Bill for keeping it going!

I agree ! Thanks Bill for keeping it going.

Don't forget to vote for the Feb book selection.

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...

If we don't get any more votes, I will change mine to break the 3 way tie.

Bill wrote: "If we don't get any more votes, I will change mine to break the 3 way tie." I am picking up somewhat in the middle of this, but if my vote counts I would vote for the blockchain book because it seems to be the next big thing, not only in finance but in government.- Thanks

Thomas wrote: I am picking up somewhat in the middle of this, but if my vote counts I would vote for the blockchain book b..."

Could you enter your vote in the poll: https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...

I just realized that Distributed Ledger Technology: The Science of the Blockchain, might be more technical than what some here might want to read. It would be interesting to understand the internal workings of the blockchain, but you probably will not get a sense for how it is about to change the world from this.

Not long ago it may have looked like Bitcoin was going to take over the world, but it has a major flaw which is also its major strength. Every Bitcoin transaction is recorded in a public ledger, which means anyone can take a look at it. Because of this corporations and governments will not be using Bitcoin for their internal operations. Not a problem, just use your own private blockchain. So now everything that involves money or information being shuffled around is being automated using blockchain technology. A paperless society may just happen in your lifetime. Smart contracts, means all those middle men and paperwork become a thing of the past.

The Internet of Things, means the world is being wired up with smart devices. How are you going to keep track of billions of devices and determine which devices are allowed to talk to each other? Use a distributed ledger.

I am a causal observer of what is going on, so I may have miss used some of the terminology in the above description, but hopefully I have given a sense of how big this is going to be.