Maybe this group could creating a reading list of books for each of our principles?: 1- Recognise the existence of anthropocentrism and biocentrism as two opposed paradigms, support and promote anthropocentrism and oppose biocentrism 2- Support and advocate increased scientific research and technological progress, oppose any attempts to hinder/regress these 3- Advocate a secular society and the promotion of atheism, oppose organised religion and defend the right of every child to a secular education I will start with books for principle 3: Richard Dawkins - the God delusion Hitchens - God is not great Bob Avakian - Away with all god Michel Onfray - in defense of Atheism
Darwin's Dangerous Idea and Consciousness Explained by Daniel C. Dennett come highly recommended, as well as Microcosmos: Four Billion Years of Evolution from Our Microbial Ancestors. While not directly relating to HPG matters, at least in the obvious manner, I found that such books have been a stimulating influence on my thinking.
Maybe a little obvious but Stephen Hawking - A Brief History of Time. I would also add Richard Dawkins - The Selfish Gene and also by Dawkins, The Greatest Show On Earth - The Evidence for Evolution. These are all books I recommend people read who are either ignorant or sceptical about science.
Pretty much anything written by Raymond Kurzweil
I've nearly finished this book, and I consider it utterly essential reading for all HPGers, especially those who are technocrats or technocracy sympathisers - Factor Four: Doubling wealth, halving resource use. Another book worth reading is The Solar Economy: Renewable energy for a sustainable global future. While I do not agree with the author's position on nuclear power (nor with his fetishisation of small scales and decentralisation), this is a minor fillip to an otherwise excellent book. Any more I find will be posted here.
in a way Why Does E=mc2?: (and Why Should We Care?) By Brian Cox fits Number 2 in a way in terms of countering the "Why do I need to know that" attitude some people have aswell as explaining it in a way non-sciencey people can understand.
