2023 was a great reading year for me, as measured by quality, if not by quantity. I read 38 novels, 6 non-fiction books, and 2 screenplays. This thread covers the 16 novels that I would strongly recommend. The books are not exactly in order.

1/ “Lessons In Chemistry”, by @BonnieGarmus. This strikingly original novel is as good as everyone tells you. Maybe better. In a super competitive year, this was my favorite. 2/

bookshop.org/search?keyword…

In 2022 I read more novels that I loved than in any year before it. Some new, others not. I gave ten novels my top score. I strongly recommend them all.

1/6 My 10 favorite novels of 2022. All get my highest rating. In order I read. 1st 5:

The Overstory, Richard Powers
The Lincoln Highway, Amor Towles
A Week In Winter, Maeve Binchy
Avenue Of Mysteries, John Irving
The Heirs, Susan Reiger
Remains of the Day, Kazuo Ishiguro

2/6

[Thread] In a speech at @WebSummit, I made the case that surveillance capital (SurvCap) is undermining democracy and self-determination very rapidly. There is not much time for law enforcement and policy makers to act to save them. 1/ theguardian.com/technology/202… SurvCap = Surveillance to collect data from everywhere. Machine learning to identify patterns. User models + AI to power predictions for ads. Recommendation engines to manipulate choices and behavior. Result = users lose right to self determination. 2/ theguardian.com/technology/202…

Fare thee well @JPBarlow. R.I.P.
Principles of Adult Behavior by John Perry Barlow #WTLB
1. Be patient. No matter what.
2. Don’t badmouth: Assign responsibility, not blame. Say nothing of another you wouldn’t say to him in the same language and tone of voice. 3. Never assume the motives of others are, to them, less noble than yours are to you.
4. Expand your sense of the possible.
5. Don’t trouble yourself with matters you truly cannot change.
6. Expect no more of anyone than you can deliver yourself.
7. Tolerate ambiguity.