Women in STEM Bookclub: Gödel, Escher, Bach (part two)

For August's meetup, we are reading Part two of this book - chapters 11 to 20.

This book club is for women in STEM to explore workplace related themes that are centered on women, STEM issues and leadership. Through these book explorations, we share experiences, exchange new ideas, and empower each other through friendly conversation and community.

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Title - Gödel, Escher, Bach (part one)
By: Douglas Hofstadter

Douglas Hofstadter's book is concerned directly with the nature of “maps” or links between formal systems. However, according to Hofstadter, the formal system that underlies all mental activity transcends the system that supports it. If life can grow out of the formal chemical substrate of the cell, if consciousness can emerge out of a formal system of firing neurons, then so too will computers attain human intelligence. Gödel, Escher, Bach is a wonderful exploration of fascinating ideas at the heart of cognitive science: meaning, reduction, recursion, and much more.

By exploring common themes in the lives and works of logician Kurt Gödel, artist M. C. Escher, and composer Johann Sebastian Bach, the book expounds concepts fundamental to mathematics, symmetry, and intelligence.

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Whether you love or hate the book, read one chapter, or happened across this description and found yourself interested, come join us for coffee and conversation!
Feel free to reach out for any questions or book suggestions as well.

Sincerely,
Jenny & Daniela