When I was in engineering undergrad (1993-97), popular non-scitech reads were: Adams, Pratchett, Vonnegut, LOTR, Catch 22. And I hate to admit it...Ayn Rand (to our credit, mostly hated)
Has the list changed much since? What did engineering students in the 00’s and ‘10’s read?
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Now that I reflect on it, the reading tastes of young engineers tend toward “string of mild, ego-deflating surprises” OR “admirably coherent large-scale architecture”. Mirrors the reward schedule of engineering analysis and synthesis, but without the input thinking effort.
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GEB was popular in my time and 80s too. Didn’t count it since it’s a scitech book
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Yes, it has changed a lot. Now, there are several women writers and writers of color. I would definitely put aside this white-guys list for good. :)
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Not what I asked. I asked what engineers actually read in those decades, not what you think they ought to have been reading.
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When I was in engineer undergrad (grad 2011). Books were less read than anime or how I met your mother was watched. Those that read were into GoT and most of your list.
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Was part of a literary club for engineering students in Hyderabad
thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/20
Rand was still popular.
Dostoevsky posturing.
Chetan Bhagat and Harry Potter exhuberance displaced a bunch from your list.
lots of folks dug Paulo Coelho.
Self help was big.
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Dune (series), PK Dick’s short stories, Michio’s Hyperspace was fresh in the late 90’s/early 000’s for me, and Neuromancer were memorable ones in addition to your list.







