Ask HN: Which books were the most influential in creating a field expert of you?

5 pointsggr23422y ago4 comments

The field can by any field and by expert I don't mean the number 1 world expert. By expert I mean someone who can confidently do work (create things) in their domain for quite some time. Some fields are so vast there can't be a single top most expert.

If you consider yourself someone like that and assuming you read (past and present) books of that field, which books have you found the most influential for your knowledge and expertise?

4 comments

softwaredoug2y ago

The one I wrote about my field. I faced possible public humiliation for every mistake I made, so I busted my butt to learn all those gaps in my knowledge :)

tikkun2y ago

What’s the book and field?

softwaredoug2y ago

"Relevant Search" - in the field of search engines

TBH I can't say I've mastered the field. And have even given up on the idea of expertise. Things change too fast.

I think its more fun just to be an "enthusiast" which should imply a high degree of humility and understanding of the limits of one's own knowledge.

GoldenMonkey2y ago

It will be much easier to be good enough at 2-3 domains... and be considered an expert... at the intersection of them.

Scott Adams (dilbert author), has a book on this. "How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Will Big...". https://www.amazon.com/How-Fail-Almost-Everything-Still-eboo...

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Ask HN: Which books were the most influential in creating a field expert of you?

5 pointsggr23422y ago4 comments

If you consider yourself someone like that and assuming you read (past and present) books of that field, which books have you found the most influential for your knowledge and expertise?

4 comments

softwaredoug2y ago

The one I wrote about my field. I faced possible public humiliation for every mistake I made, so I busted my butt to learn all those gaps in my knowledge :)

tikkun2y ago

What’s the book and field?

softwaredoug2y ago

"Relevant Search" - in the field of search engines

TBH I can't say I've mastered the field. And have even given up on the idea of expertise. Things change too fast.

I think its more fun just to be an "enthusiast" which should imply a high degree of humility and understanding of the limits of one's own knowledge.

GoldenMonkey2y ago

It will be much easier to be good enough at 2-3 domains... and be considered an expert... at the intersection of them.

Scott Adams (dilbert author), has a book on this. "How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Will Big...". https://www.amazon.com/How-Fail-Almost-Everything-Still-eboo...

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse