Which Three Books to Start Civilization on Another Planet?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the selection of three books to bring for starting a new human civilization on another planet. Participants explore various genres and purposes of books, ranging from practical survival guides to theoretical texts, reflecting on their potential utility in a new environment.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest specific books like "The Road to Reality," "The Feynman Lectures on Physics," and "The Bible," indicating a mix of scientific, philosophical, and cultural texts.
  • Others propose bringing a Kindle or digital storage devices to maximize the number of books, highlighting the practicality of technology in a new setting.
  • Several participants emphasize the need for survival-oriented books, such as medical guides and practical living resources, arguing that these would be essential for establishing a civilization.
  • Some express skepticism about the relevance of Earth-based knowledge, suggesting that cultural evolution should guide the development of a new society without relying on existing texts.
  • There are contrasting views on the importance of theoretical knowledge versus practical skills, with some arguing that logical thinking and scientific methods are universally applicable, while others prioritize immediate survival needs.
  • Discussions also touch on the implications of bringing books that may not be directly useful in an alien environment, questioning the balance between theoretical and practical knowledge.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on which books are most appropriate to bring, with multiple competing views on the balance between theoretical knowledge and practical survival skills. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to starting a civilization.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the limitations of their current book selections, indicating that their choices may not fully address the unique challenges of establishing a civilization on another planet. There is also a recognition that the utility of certain texts may depend on the specific conditions of the new environment.

Kevin_Axion
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You have been chosen by aliens to build a new human civilization on another planet in an adjacent solar system and you are allowed to take 3 books on your shelf right now, which ones do you take?

1. The Road to Reality

2. The Princeton Companion to Mathematics

3. Cosmos
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I'd bring a Kindle.
 
The bible.

Key to power
 
Pengwuino said:
I'd bring a Kindle.

So which three books on your kindle?
 
Kevin_Axion said:
So which three books on your kindle?

I'd hide the kindle inside 1 hollowed out book storing 1/3 of all the books ever written. I would proceed to buy 2 more kindles and do similar things for the other 2 books.
 
1. Physicsforums
2. Google
3. Wikipedia

Oh darn! These aren't books!
My intelligence is going to suffer!
 
1. Pimsleur Alienian.
2. Swiss Navy Survival Guide.
3. To Serve Aliens.
 
Bible, King Lear, and the Encyclopedia Britannica

Sorry, it's more than a "book," but I can fit it on a thumb drive. As I'm bringing it, you'll just have to cope. :)
 
"Steal This Book", Abbie Hoffman
"The Secrets Of Houdini" by J. C. Cannell
"Alien Abduction Escape" by Steve Schultz
 
  • #10
wuliheron said:
"Steal This Book", Abbie Hoffman
"The Secrets Of Houdini" by J. C. Cannell
"Alien Abduction Escape" by Steve Schultz

Hahahaha!
 
  • #11
If I look at the shelf now they would be
The River Cottage Year
Nigel Slater's Real Food \
Katie Stewart Times Cookery Book
It's a bummer to read PF on a laptop in the kitchen.

In a better room
Complete Shakespear
King James Bible
Other Men's Flowers
 
  • #13
1) Feynman lectures on physics
2) Biology - Campbell
3) Introduction to psychology - Atkinson
 
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  • #14
micromass said:
1) Feynman lectures on physics

What's this?
Are you working through the Feynman lectures?
Good! I definitely recommend them! :smile:
 
  • #15
It's said that Abraham Lincoln had just three books available to him in his formative years: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, the King James Bible and an arithmetic textbook. (Of course, he grew up to be a lawyer.)
 
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  • #16
micromass said:
1) Feynman lectures on physics
2) Biology - Campbell
3) Introduction to psychology - Atkinson

I'm suprised it took 12 replies to say the Feynman lectures. That's one book that i will definitely take.
 
  • #17
Brandon_R said:
I'm suprised it took 12 replies to say the Feynman lectures. That's one book that i will definitely take.

And that from a mathematician! :biggrin:
 
  • #18
Textbooks, Textbooks and Textbooks. :biggrin:

What else do i have to study? :smile:
 
  • #19
Pranav-Arora said:
Textbooks, Textbooks and Textbooks.

What else do i have to study?

Oh, you need the book that explains how to study books!
 
  • #20
I like Serena said:
Oh, you need the book that explains how to study books!

Where can i find this book? :smile:
 
  • #21
If I'm going to start a new human civilization, then the only book I'd need to bring is the Kama Sutra
 
  • #22
The following will be required reading for every single person in my new civilization:

1. How to Solve It - Polya

2. The Feynman Lectures on Physics - Duh

3. Calculus - Spivak

The inability to reason and solve problems will not be tolerated in my new civilization. If one is found to lack these skills by the age of 18, then they will either be given to the aliens to be used in experiments, or fed to the animals.
 
  • #23
Hmm...

1) Bible (NABRE)
2) Encyclopedia Brittanica (on DVD, which means I'll need my laptop too :biggrin:)
3) a portable hard drive with PDF's containing all the musical scores that I can find, and as many MP3's as I can fit (I like classical music)
 
  • #24
Dembadon said:
3. Calculus - Spivak

The inability to reason and solve problems will not be tolerated in my new civilization. If one is found to lack these skills by the age of 18, then they will either be given to the aliens to be used in experiments, or fed to the animals.

Urkel... I never had Spivak... and I'm already over 18! :eek:
 
  • #25
Dembadon said:
The inability to reason and solve problems will not be tolerated in my new civilization. If one is found to lack these skills by the age of 18, then they will either be given to the aliens to be used in experiments, or fed to the animals.

Hmmm, I don't think I want to live in your civilization then :bugeye:
 
  • #26
micromass said:
Hmmm, I don't think I want to live in your civilization then

In that case, you're stuck with me! :shy:
 
  • #27
Molecular Biology of the Cell
CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (88th edition)
Communication Systems Engineering
 
  • #28
I like Serena said:
In that case, you're stuck with me! :shy:

That might get fun :-p
 
  • #29
micromass said:
Hmmm, I don't think I want to live in your civilization then :bugeye:

I like Serena said:
In that case, you're stuck with me! :shy:

I don't know what you two are worried about; both of you possesses the skills I require.
 
  • #30
Oh, it has to be on my shelf?

Rocket Propulsion Elements
Classical Mechanics
Chemistry & Chemical Reactivity
 

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