kurt

Gödel, Escher, Bach

This is an invitation to all interested parties:

I'm starting a reading group this semester. The first book that our community will devour is Douglas R. Hofstadter's classic Gödel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid.

The idea of reading a book and discussing it amongst friends really appeals to me at the moment. While it's nice to have the additional motivation of the obligation to the group to propel you as you read, the most powerful function will be the dialogue that enlightens us all. Sounds fun huh? There's no credit for this other than your own satisfaction within the social sphere that you share this experience with and the innate value of reading such an insightful work of thought and literature.

The only requirement to join the group is that you actually have to read the chapters that we are going to discuss before we meet. It's not like there's a test or a grade, it's just that the other members of the group are not your own personal Cliff Notes. Plus, I would really like to know what you think of the book as you read it, you may see something the rest of us miss and it would be sad for us to... uh, "miss" that.

This is the first week of class so the reading will be light (and if you join a little later it will be easier to catch up): just cruise through the Introduction and stop right before Chapter 1. In my copy of the book this is pages 1-32.

Some subjects that are touched on are highly esoteric. But don't worry! Take notes if you want and make sure to write down questions that you have. That's why we have discussion. We'll meet sometime second week and work through the most challenging and interesting issues. The meeting will probably last an hour, be highly informal and incorporate various foodstuffs and libations (supply yourself or generously donate to the community). We'll try to sketch out a loose meeting schedule for the rest of the semester as well. The weekly load will be 2 chapters or about 60 pages. Easy? Indubitably.

Everyone is invited. Just read the book is all I ask. I expect that the group will stay relatively small. As I write this I know of 3 people including myself that will be participating. If you want to join, grab a copy of the book, contact me (comment here, email, phone, in person...), start reading and thinking.

Oh. And even though our method of recording time seems incredibly subjective and arbitrary: have a great new year!