Ask HN: What books fundamentally changed the way you think about the world?

For me, the definitive "Programming is what exactly?" book.

Godel, Escher, Bach by Douglas Hofstadter

Douglas Hofstadter's GEB: An Eternal Golden Braid

"How to Win Friends and Influence People" is easily one of the most important books out there for anyone working in any professional env that involves other humans.

How to Win Friends and Influence People.

Dune by Frank Herbert

I recommend the first. Atlas Shrugged is one of my favourites.

These are the books that quite literally changed my world view and interpretation of our place/purpose in it.

this and Atlas Shrugged (bad writing aside)

A challenge with _Thinking Fast And Slow_ is that some of its fundamental premises have been called into question during the "replication crisis" in psychology.

+1 for Thiking, Fast, and Slow. Definitely a life changing book.

++ Thinking, Fast and Slow Great book, textbook-ish, but reshaped how I look at people and problems

"Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman

The Pragmatic Programmer, Andrew Hunt and David Thomas

I believe this is a must read for anyone creating something for other people. I'm definitely a better designer because of it.

Beware, though, as it may lead you to get unreasonably upset every time you encounter a misleading door handle.

Siddhartha by Herman Hesse had a big impact on me when I was a teenager.

The Selfish Gene, Richard Dawkins;

selfish gene

The Selfish Gene

I loved this book. I read it on a plane and giggled

Neuromancer by William Gibson