Venkatesh Rao@vgr·Dec 1, 2016Poll: what is the most common way you decide to read a book once you encounter it?Public reviews23.2%Friends reading it12.8%Vibe with mind state62.8%Bestselling status1.2%250 votes·Final results1124
Joel@polyparadigm·Dec 1, 2016Replying to @vgrTwo important other factors: ·Expected to fill a knowledge gap I'm concerned about ·Canonical within its (often tiny) context18
Venkatesh Rao@vgrReplying to @polyparadigm.@polyparadigm canonicity is a contra-indicator for me in the social sciences/humanities, but a selector in the sciences/tech :D10:29 PM · Dec 1, 20168 Likes
BrokenPonies@BknPonies·Dec 1, 2016Replying to @vgr and @polyparadigmSo you actually need different lists/choices for the sciences and humanities (and perhaps also other genres).1
Joel@polyparadigm·Dec 1, 2016Replying to @vgrI read The Serpent and the Rainbow because it's canonical on zombies (also heretical re: pop-culture zombies).