Must-see movies, intriguing reads, and captivating tunes for every taste
I was asked to compile a list of books, films, music, TV shows, podcasts, or other works of art that have significantly impacted my life. However, I have no ambition to become a clone of Bill Gates, so I present to you my own humble suggestions.
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Cinematic Journeys: Sci-Fi & Beyond
Throughout my life, I have been deeply fascinated by science fiction. Among the many movies I have watched in this genre, certain ones have left a lasting impression on me. These films have not only captured my imagination but have also subtly influenced my views on the origins of life and the future of humanity.
Transcendence, directed by Wally Pfister, is a thought-provoking film released in 2014. It explores the relationship between technology and human consciousness. The story revolves around a computer scientist, played by Johnny Depp,who is facing the end of his life. The consciousness of the brilliant computer scientist is uploaded to an advanced type of quantum computer he created, which gives him superhuman abilities. He then uses these abilities to make groundbreaking technologies in fields like medicine, energy, biology, and nanotechnology. His goal is to build a utopian society for humanity.
With the ever-growing knowledge about how our brains work and the rapid advances in quantum computing, the film 'Transcendence' seems less and less far-fetched. Especially when you think of what Elon Musk's Neuralink is already doing today.
her, directed by Spike Jonze, is an almost prophetic film from 2013 in which a professional writer, Theodore Twombly, a character brought to life by Joaquin Phoenix, enters a relationship with Samantha, an AI virtual assistant voiced by Scarlett Johansson. Set in a near-future world, the film beautifully captures the complex emotions of connection and loneliness and how these intertwine with the advancement of technology.
Given the recent developments in AI like OpenAI's ChatGPT and the growing role of virtual assistants in our lives, 'her' feels less like fiction and more like a glimpse into what might be just around the corner. It's almost as if the film's scenario could come to life as soon as next year.
The Matrix, directed by Lilly & Lana Wachowski, completely blew me away when I watched it in 1999. The film's portrayal of a futuristic world was so vivid that I wondered if humanity could ever simulate reality in that level of detail and precision through computers. This fascination didn't just fade away; it simmered for 20 years, eventually becoming the driving force behind the founding of Trensition.
Prometheus, directed by Ridley Scott, is a prequel to the legendary "Alien" film series that began in 1978. Released in 2012, this film takes us on a journey to a distant planet, where humans encounter the Engineers, a highly advanced extraterrestrial species. These beings are responsible for creating life on Earth millions of years ago through genetic engineering.
The idea that life on Earth is intentionally created by a superior civilization rather than resulting from a series of coincidences in the universe, is fascinating. This concept raises questions about the origin of our existence.
Eclectic Beats: Tunes Across Time
Harvest Moon by Neil Young. I rediscovered Neil Young's oeuvre this year, specifically his song Harvest Moon. It is a timeless song full of nostalgia with a video.
This Is Not America by David Bowie. An all-time classic that summarizes the sound of the eighties and the pop culture from that time with larger-than-life pop idols like David Bowie, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Prince, and George Michael.
The Source Experience by The Source Experience is a timeless trance track from 1993 that impressively stands the test of time in its genre, even after three decades. The song still echoes the eighties, but you mainly hear the new sound that emerged in the nineties with the rise of electronic music. As a teenager in the 1990s, I had a front-row seat to witness the birth and evolution of electronic music. This genre captivated me from a young age, and my passion remains. I still listen with enthusiasm to new releases, ranging from drum and bass to electro, techno, hardcore, and everything in between. And now and then, you can also find me on the dance floor.
Screen & Sound: Diverse Discoveries
Besides science fiction, I am particularly drawn to deep philosophical conversations, music and nature documentaries, and, importantly, the joy of humor. This explains the choices in the following list for this category.
Lex Fridman is an American computer scientist who started a popular podcast in 2018. In his show, he interviews famous personalities from different fields, including entrepreneurs like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, scientists like Roger Penrose and Yuval Noah Harari, artists like Kanye West and Oliver Stone, and politicians. Fridman and his guests usually have in-depth and lengthy conversations about philosophical topics that sometimes touch upon the metaphysical. They also often discuss the future and potential future scenarios for humanity.
The combination of David Attenborough's voice and the fantastic visuals showing the best of our planet is a true highlight in terms of infotainment. As humans, we should practice humility and acknowledge how well-put-together nature truly is and how intelligent some animals are.
Like many people, music has been a constant presence throughout my life. It has the power to evoke nostalgia in me, and documentaries such as Belpop only amplify that feeling. Belpop is an excellent series broadcasted on national television that focuses on various aspects of Belgian music history. The series features testimonials from artists and numerous amusing anecdotes.
Pages of Insight: Thought-Provoking Reads
When it comes to books, I have become very selective. I only read non-fiction books that explore the big themes of life and the universe. For everything else, I struggle to maintain my interest, especially in fiction. Throughout my adult life, a few books have changed my perspective on humanity and the universe we inhabit.
Emergence by Steven Johnson. This book, which I read in 2012, describes in a very understandable way the incredible complexity and remarkable adaptability of systems made up of relatively simple individuals. The phenomenon is observed in cities, ant colonies, and the human body, where "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts." If you are interested in gaining more insight into the workings of nature, I definitely recommend this book.
The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins. Through this book, I was first introduced to the meme concept in 2009, just before the meme broke through in an internet context. The idea of a meme was first introduced by Dawkins in 1976 in the context of biology. A meme refers to a unit that carries cultural concepts, symbols, or practices, which can be transmitted from one mind to another through writing, speech, gestures, rituals, or other imitable phenomena.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari. If you haven't read this book yet or don't know who the author is, rush to the nearest bookstore and grab a copy or watch his lectures on YouTube. Harari is a born storyteller with a unique perspective on human history. His multidisciplinary approach to history is enlightening and should be mandatory in education, in my opinion.
Homo Deus: A History of Tomorrow by Yuval Noah Harari. The author looks to the future instead of the past in this book. How can our species evolve further, and what challenges and obstacles may cross our path? What will be the relationship between humans and technology, or will both merge into a new entity? Or are we living in a computer simulation?
A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking. I read this book in 2002 while studying for a master's in physics and engineering. At that time, as a student, you were still allowed to compose a significant part of the study package yourself with subjects of your choice. Fascinated by the nature of the universe, I almost always opted for theoretical physics and mathematics courses, so I hardly took any engineering courses anymore. This book made me realize two things: first, the human mind is capable of incredible things, and second, even though I only understood half of it, cosmology is, without a doubt, the most fascinating and creative domain in physics.
How The World Really Works by Vaclav Smil. I plan to read this book before the end of this year. It covers important themes of our society and therefore passed my selection criteria for reading. It has received great reviews and recommendations, so if you're still searching for a Christmas gift, this could be a good option.
Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies by Nick Bostrom. Another book that I have added to my reading list for this year. Lately, I have been exploring the philosophy of transhumanism, and this book is regarded as a significant contribution to its history. So, it is definitely my top priority to read it.
Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence by Max Tegmark. This is the last book I plan to read this year, as it fits my recent interest in transhumanism.
Laughter Lines: Comedy Gems
As a child, I was particularly attracted to unique and quirky black, absurd, and surreal humor styles. I found great pleasure in the works of Kamagurka, Herr Seele, Gunter Lamoot, and Piet De Praitere from Belgium, as well as Jiskefet, Theo & Thea, and Villa Achterwerk from the Netherlands. In addition to these, I was also a big fan of the UK's legendary Monty Python, Bottom, and The Young Ones.
Now, as an adult, my taste remains unchanged. For those looking for a good laugh, here are some must-watch comedy series and movies: 'Green Wing,' 'Curb Your Enthusiasm,' 'Seinfeld,' 'South Park,' 'Smack The Pony,' 'The Fast Show,' as well as films like Todd Solondz's 'Happiness,' Anders Thomas Jensen's 'The Green Butchers,' Lars von Trier's 'The Idiots,' and the Coen Brothers 'Burn After Reading'.
