Creativity, Virtual Reality, Building empires, and Star Wars!

My 10 favorite books read in 2023.

Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull
Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making by Tony Fadell
Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline
The Power Law by Sebastian Mallaby
The Metaverse by Matthew Ball
Press Reset by Jason Schreier
Dawn of the New Everything by Jaron Lanier
George Lucas by Brian Jay Jones
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Chip War by Chris Miller

Creativity, Inc.

I read this book first in 2014 when it came out, and every time I've reread it since, it seems to get better. It connects more deeply with me now, considering my experiences since the first time I read it.

Short description:

Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration" is a book written by Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios and president of Pixar and Disney Animation. The book provides insights into the creative processes and culture that have contributed to the success of Pixar.

Key points from "Creativity, Inc.":

Leadership Philosophy: Catmull discusses his leadership philosophy and how fostering a culture of creativity and open communication is crucial for innovation.
Team Dynamics: The book explores the importance of assembling diverse, talented teams and creating an environment where team members feel empowered to contribute their ideas without fear of criticism.
Failure and Learning: Catmull emphasizes the inevitability of failure in the creative process and advocates for viewing failures as opportunities for learning and improvement.
Building a Creative Culture: The author shares anecdotes and experiences from Pixar's history, illustrating how the company built and maintained a creative culture that values collaboration and risk-taking.
Overcoming Challenges: "Creativity, Inc." delves into the challenges faced by Pixar, such as the acquisition by Disney, and how the company navigated these challenges while preserving its creative spirit.
Managing Talent: Catmull discusses the importance of managing creative talent effectively and encouraging an atmosphere where employees can thrive and contribute their best work.

The book offers valuable insights not only for those in creative industries but also for anyone interested in understanding how to nurture and sustain a culture of innovation within an organization. "Creativity, Inc." has been praised for its practical advice, engaging storytelling, and the lessons it imparts on unleashing creativity in the face of unseen challenges.

“You are not your idea, and if you identify too closely with your ideas, you will take offense when they are challenged.”― Ed Catmull

“When it comes to creative inspiration, job titles and hierarchy are meaningless.”― Ed Catmull

Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making

"Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making" by Tony Fadell is a transformative exploration of the creative process and product development. Fadell, a renowned entrepreneur and inventor, draws upon his vast experience, including his pivotal role in developing the iPod and Nest thermostat, to provide a unique perspective on innovation. Fadell emphasizes the importance of intentional and purpose-driven design, urging creators to focus on solving real-world problems and understanding the fundamental needs of their users. Through a blend of personal anecdotes, practical insights, and unconventional wisdom, the book offers a roadmap for building products that go beyond mere functionality, aiming to create meaningful and impactful experiences for users. Fadell's unorthodox approach challenges conventional thinking and inspires a holistic mindset towards the art of making things that truly matter in the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and design.

“Traditional schooling trains people to think incorrectly about failure. You’re taught a subject, you take a test, and if you fail, that’s it. You’re done. But once you’re out of school, there is no book, no test, no grade. And if you fail, you learn. In fact, in most cases, it’s the only way to learn—especially if you’re creating something the world has never seen before.”― Tony Fadell

Ready Player Two

"Ready Player Two" by Ernest Cline is a thrilling continuation of the virtual reality adventure that began with the bestselling "Ready Player One." In this sequel, protagonist Wade Watts, having inherited the late James Halliday's vast OASIS fortune and control of the virtual world, discovers a new technology called the ONI headset. The ONI not only enables users to experience the OASIS with all their senses but also unlocks a challenging quest that delves into the depths of artificial intelligence, morality, and the consequences of unchecked technological power. The story is filled with pop culture references and nostalgia, creating a fast-paced and immersive narrative that explores the potential dark side of a world dominated by virtual reality. As Wade and his friends embark on another high-stakes quest, "Ready Player Two" combines action, adventure, and thought-provoking themes, making it a must-read for fans of the original novel.

“My friend Kira always said that life is like an extremely difficult, horribly unbalanced videogame. When you’re born, you’re given a randomly generated character, with a randomly determined name, race, face, and social class. Your body is your avatar, and you spawn in a random geographic location, at a random moment in human history, surrounded by a random group of people, and then you have to try to survive for as long as you can.”― Ernest Cline

The Power Law: Venture Capital and the Making of the New Future

Innovations rarely come from “experts.” Elon Musk was not an “electric car person” before he started Tesla. When it comes to improbable innovations, a legendary tech VC told Sebastian Mallaby, the future cannot be predicted, it can only be discovered. It is the nature of the venture-capital game that most attempts at discovery fail, but a very few succeed at such a scale that they more than make up for everything else. That extreme ratio of success and failure is the power law that drives the VC business, all of Silicon Valley, the wider tech sector, and, by extension, the world. (From Amazon)

“By September 2004, Zuckerberg was referring to Parker as Facebook’s president, and Parker was steering Zuckerberg away from conventional venture capitalists. He told Benchmark and Google to back off, preferring to take a leaf out of Google’s own book; he wanted to raise capital from angels. His first port of call was an entrepreneur named Reid Hoffman, who had coached him through the Plaxo denouement. Hoffman declined to lead an investment in Facebook; he had himself founded a social network called LinkedIn, and there might be some rivalry. So Hoffman put Parker in touch with a Stanford friend named Peter Thiel, the co-founder of an online payments company called PayPal. Pretty soon, Thiel agreed to kick in $500,000 in exchange for 10.2 percent of the firm, with Hoffman providing a further $38,000.[11] A third social-networking entrepreneur named Mark Pincus also wrote a check for $38,000.” ― Sebastian Mallaby

The Metaverse

The term “Metaverse” is suddenly everywhere, from the front pages of national newspapers and the latest fashion trends to the plans of the most powerful companies in history. It is already shaping the policy platforms of the US government, the European Union, and the Chinese Communist Party.

But what, exactly, is the Metaverse? As pioneering theorist and venture capitalist Matthew Ball explains, it is a persistent and interconnected network of 3D virtual worlds that will eventually serve as the gateway to most online experiences, and also underpin much of the physical world. For decades, these ideas have been limited to science fiction and video games, but they are now poised to revolutionize every industry and function, from finance and healthcare to education, consumer products, city planning, dating, and well beyond. (From amazon)

“For the first two or so years following the release of the iPad, it was common to see press reports and viral YouTube videos of infants and young children who would pick up an “analogue” magazine or book and try to “swipe” its nonexistent touchscreen. Today, those one-year-olds are eleven to twelve. A four-year-old in 2011 is now well on her way to adulthood.”― Matthew Ball

Press Reset

"Press Reset: Ruin and Recovery in the Video Game Industry" by Jason Schreier is a compelling exploration of the tumultuous and often challenging landscape of the video game industry. Drawing on extensive research and interviews with industry insiders, Schreier provides an insider's perspective on the highs and lows of game development, shedding light on the creative processes, corporate dynamics, and the human stories behind some of the most well-known video games. From the ambitious projects that faced cancellation to the stories of resilience and redemption, the book offers a nuanced look at the people and studios navigating the complexities of an ever-evolving industry. Through a mix of investigative journalism and narrative storytelling, Schreier captures the essence of the creative spirit and the challenges faced by those who bring our favorite games to life. "Press Reset" stands as a captivating and enlightening read for anyone interested in the inner workings of the video game world.

Dawn of the New Everything

"Dawn of the New Everything" by Jaron Lanier is a captivating exploration of virtual reality (VR) and the transformative potential it holds for humanity. Lanier, a pioneer in the development of VR technology, interweaves personal memoir with profound insights into the history, philosophy, and future possibilities of virtual reality. He reflects on his own experiences as a trailblazer in the field, offering readers a unique perspective on the evolution of VR from its early days to its contemporary applications. Lanier delves into the ethical and social implications of this technology, contemplating its impact on our perception of reality, human connection, and creativity. Through a blend of memoir, philosophy, and technological exploration, Lanier paints a thought-provoking picture of the dawn of a new era, inviting readers to contemplate the profound changes that virtual reality may bring to our collective experience.

“Like cowboys, hackers supposedly experienced freedom in a wild land that yielded only to our special prowess and expertise. We roamed as we pleased, inventing reality for everyone else. Normal people would wait helplessly as we blazed their new world. What surprised me over the next few decades is that all those alien, “normal” people, all over the globe, chose to buy into our myth. You let us reinvent your world! I’m still curious why.”― Jaron Lanier

George Lucas

"George Lucas: A Life" by Brian Jay Jones provides a comprehensive and engaging biography of the iconic filmmaker behind the cultural phenomenon of Star Wars. Jones delves into the life of George Lucas, tracing his journey from a young film enthusiast to the visionary creator of one of the most beloved and influential franchises in cinematic history. The biography explores Lucas's personal and professional challenges, his creative process, and the evolution of his groundbreaking ideas in the realms of filmmaking and technology. Jones captures Lucas's impact on the film industry, his pioneering work in special effects, and the cultural significance of Star Wars, shedding light on the man behind the legendary saga and his enduring legacy in the world of entertainment.

“Lucas wasn’t paying for a movie; he was buying his own creative freedom.”― Brian Jay Jones

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow: A Novel

In this exhilarating novel by the best-selling author of The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry two friends—often in love, but never lovers—come together as creative partners in the world of video game design, where success brings them fame, joy, tragedy, duplicity, and, ultimately, a kind of immortality. (From Amazon)

“What is a game?" Marx said. "It's tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow. It's the possibility of infinite rebirth, infinite redemption. The idea that if you keep playing, you could win. No loss is permanent, because nothing is permanent, ever.”― Gabrielle Zevin

Chip War

You may be surprised to learn that microchips are the new oil—the scarce resource on which the modern world depends. Today, military, economic, and geopolitical power are built on a foundation of computer chips. Virtually everything—from missiles to microwaves—runs on chips, including cars, smartphones, the stock market, even the electric grid. Until recently, America designed and built the fastest chips and maintained its lead as the number one superpower, but America’s edge is in danger of slipping, undermined by players in Taiwan, Korea, and Europe taking over manufacturing. Now, as Chip War reveals, China, which spends more on chips than any other product, is pouring billions into a chip-building initiative to catch up to the US. At stake is America’s military superiority and economic prosperity.

Economic historian Chris Miller explains how the technology works and why it’s so important, recounting the fascinating events that led to the United States perfecting the chip design, and to America’s victory in the Cold War by using faster chips to render the Soviet Union’s arsenal of precision-guided weapons obsolete. But lately, America has let key components of the chip-building process slip out of its grasp, leading to a worldwide chip shortage and a new war brewing with a superpower adversary that is desperate to bridge the gap. (from amazon)

“Chip sales to the Apollo program transformed Fairchild from a small startup into a firm with one thousand employees. Sales ballooned from $500,000 in 1958 to $21 million two years later.”― Chris Miller