The idea factory

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• HiroshiSan · Jun 11, 2010 · Recommends

  …that I have what it takes was not my only reason, I apologize for making it seem like that I just want to go there because its prestigious. I stumbled upon a book that sums it up nicely. Its called The Idea Factory by Pepper White. Just a little summary of the back cover: "When Pepper White enters MIT, one of his professors tells him that it does not much matter what he studies there. What MIT will do is teach him…

  on “Ask HN: How do I become smarter?” ↗
• 2143 · Jul 18, 2022 · Recommends

  …Programming, by Eric S. Raymond The Cathedral and the Bazaar, by Eric S. Raymond Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software, by Charles Petzold The Soul of a New Machine, by Tracy Kidder The Idea Factory, by Pepper White The Little Schemer, by Friedman and Felleisen SICP, by Sussman and Abelson Introduction to Algorithms, CLRS The Algorithm Design Manual, by Steven Introduction to the Theory of Computation,…

  on “Ask HN: Are older programming books useful?” ↗
• 2143 · Sep 4, 2022 · Recommends

  The Idea Factory, by Pepper White. First read when I was an undergrad. Then multiple times during grad school. Hit a raw nerve somewhere. (There's another book with the same title, so note the author).

  on “Ask HN: What book have you re-read 3x or more?” ↗
• 2143 · Aug 16, 2023 · Recommends

  …Incidentally, I have very recently stalled a second time on Anna Karenina, generally considered to be a masterpiece. I'll probably revisit it later, but it's just not for me at the moment. Also, The Idea Factory by Pepper White doesn't seem to be very popular (or maybe it is?). I first read it when I was in college and loved it. Re-read it in grad-school and I loved it even more. I think it was because I was…

  on “Is this a good book for me, now?” ↗
• tjr · Aug 8, 2015 · Recommends

  The Idea Factory, by Pepper White

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• 2143 · Aug 27, 2023 · Recommends

  The Idea Factory by Pepper White.

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• Anechoic · Mar 17, 2015 · Recommends

  …can also push you beyond your breaking point. In a lot of cases, it's a fine line. To any MIT students reading this: 1) You deserve to be there. Really. 2) You are not alone (read Pepper White's "The Idea Factory" if you don't believe me). 3) Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It's a sign of strength. 4) Failing is not the end of the world. 5) Unless you are going to war or face a diagnosis of a terminal…

  on “MIT students open up about stress” ↗
• mechanical_fish · Aug 11, 2010 · Mentions

  …feel that, having kicked in thirty whole US dollars, they deserve something awesome. It's not just a bad idea. It's really cruel. I have been to a first-rate grad school. I have read Pepper White's The Idea Factory, a book which gave me nightmares and made me want to travel across the campus offering hugs to every grad student I could find. And thus I have seen some of the best minds of my generation driven into…

  on “Ask HN: Diaspora hasn't updated their blog in a month.” ↗
• jeremyis · Mar 25, 2012 · Mentions

  The Idea Factory was also a book where a guy journed his struggles through MIT grad school (mech engineering I think). Was interesting though gloomy: http://www.amazon.com/The-Idea-Factory-Learning-Think/dp/026...

  on “The Idea Factory” ↗
• tjr · Sep 1, 2009 · Mentions

  Most recently, been doing some skill refreshing with Jon Bentley's "Programming Pearls" and Paul Graham's "ANSI Common Lisp". Not too long ago, Pepper White's "The Idea Factory".

  on “What are you reading?” ↗