Artemis vs. The Bed of Procrustes: Philosophical and Practical Aphorisms
Artemis
Jasmine Bashara never signed up to be a hero. She just wanted to get rich. Not crazy, eccentric-billionaire rich, like many of the visitors to her hometown of Artemis, humanity’s first and only lunar colony. Just rich enough to move out of her coffin-sized apartment and eat something better than flavored algae. Rich enough to pay off a debt she’s owed for a long time. So when a chance at a huge score finally comes her way, Jazz can’t say no. Sure, it requires her to graduate from small-time smuggler to full-on criminal mastermind. And it calls for a particular combination of cunning, technical skills, and large explosions—not to mention sheer brazen swagger. But Jazz has never run into a challenge her intellect can’t handle, and she figures she’s got the ‘swagger’ part down. The trouble is, engineering the perfect crime is just the start of Jazz’s problems. Because her little heist is about to land her in the middle of a conspiracy for control of Artemis itself. Trapped...
The Bed of Procrustes: Philosophical and Practical Aphorisms
"The Bed of Procrustes" is a collection of aphorisms by Nassim Nicholas Taleb that distills his philosophical insights into short, thought-provoking statements. The title refers to the Greek myth of Procrustes, symbolizing the tendency to force things into unnatural conformity. Through these aphorisms, Taleb critiques modern society's flaws, biases, and misconceptions, offering a sharp, often humorous, commentary on topics ranging from knowledge and science to wealth and human behavior. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy deep, philosophical musings and appreciate Taleb's sharp wit and unconventional perspectives.

Reviews
Reviews
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Fast-paced and engaging | 1 | |
Strong, relatable protagonist | 1 | |
Rich scientific details | 1 | |
Humorous dialogue | 1 | |
Unique lunar setting | 1 |
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Complex technical jargon | 1 | |
Uneven pacing at times | 1 | |
Limited character development | 1 | |
Less grounded than "The Martian" | 1 |
Item | Votes | Upvote |
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Concise and impactful | 1 | |
Witty and thought-provoking | 1 | |
Covers a wide range of topics | 1 |
Item | Votes | Upvote |
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May feel fragmented | 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Artemis is designed as a fast-paced, engaging novel with a strong, relatable protagonist and a humorous tone, making it ideal for readers looking for entertainment and adventure. In contrast, The Bed of Procrustes offers a collection of aphorisms that are more philosophical and thought-provoking, appealing to those who enjoy deep reflections rather than a narrative-driven experience. Therefore, if entertainment is the priority, Artemis may be the better choice.
Artemis is rich in scientific details, particularly related to its unique lunar setting and the technical aspects of the heist. The Bed of Procrustes, however, focuses on philosophical insights and does not delve into scientific concepts. Thus, for readers interested in scientific detail, Artemis is the superior option.
Artemis features humorous dialogue that enhances its fast-paced narrative, making it entertaining and engaging. The Bed of Procrustes, while witty, presents its humor through aphorisms that may not resonate with all readers. Therefore, if one prefers humor that drives the story forward, Artemis may be considered more effective.
Artemis has a strong, relatable protagonist in Jasmine Bashara, whose motivations and challenges are central to the story. The Bed of Procrustes does not have a traditional protagonist, as it is a collection of aphorisms rather than a narrative. Therefore, for readers seeking character relatability, Artemis is the clear choice.
Artemis is generally fast-paced and engaging, although it has been noted to have uneven pacing at times. The Bed of Procrustes, being a collection of aphorisms, does not follow a narrative structure and may feel fragmented. For readers who prefer a consistent pacing throughout, Artemis may be more appealing.
'Artemis' is a science fiction novel by Andy Weir that follows the story of Jasmine Bashara, a small-time smuggler in humanity’s first and only lunar colony. In her quest to get rich and improve her living conditions, she gets involved in a high-stakes heist that leads her into a dangerous conspiracy for control of Artemis itself. The novel is filled with scientific details, humor, and suspense.
Pros of 'Artemis' include its fast-paced and engaging plot, a strong and relatable protagonist, rich scientific details, humorous dialogue, and a unique lunar setting. However, some cons are the complex technical jargon, uneven pacing at times, limited character development, and it being less grounded than Andy Weir's previous novel, 'The Martian'.
The protagonist of 'Artemis' is Jasmine Bashara, also known as Jazz. She is a small-time smuggler living in Artemis, the first and only lunar colony. Jazz is ambitious and resourceful, willing to take on risky ventures to achieve her goal of becoming wealthy.
'Artemis' is written by Andy Weir, who is also the author of the bestselling novel 'The Martian'. Weir is known for his detailed scientific accuracy and engaging storytelling style.
The setting of 'Artemis' is unique because it takes place in humanity’s first and only lunar colony. The city of Artemis is vividly imagined and combines elements of a futuristic lunar environment with familiar aspects of human society, making for a fascinating backdrop to the story.
'The Bed of Procrustes' is a collection of aphorisms by Nassim Nicholas Taleb that distills his philosophical insights into short, thought-provoking statements. The title refers to the Greek myth of Procrustes, symbolizing the tendency to force things into unnatural conformity. Through these aphorisms, Taleb critiques modern society's flaws, biases, and misconceptions, offering a sharp, often humorous, commentary on topics ranging from knowledge and science to wealth and human behavior. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy deep, philosophical musings and appreciate Taleb's sharp wit and unconventional perspectives.
Pros of 'The Bed of Procrustes' include its concise and impactful nature, its witty and thought-provoking content, and the wide range of topics it covers. However, a con noted by some readers is that it may feel fragmented.