Piranesi - The Roboticist’s Library #2
This post is a part of a series called The Roboticist’s Library, where I talk about books that have made me a better roboticist.
I recently finished reading Susanna Clarke's Piranesi, and I was struck by how deeply it affected me. The book tells the story of a man called (but not named) Piranesi, who lives in a mysterious, labyrinthine house that he believes to be the entire world. The novel explores themes of perception, reality, and the power of the mind. It’s the closest thing I’ve seen to Robert Eggers’ 2019 film The Lighthouse in book form.
Piranesi's world, though fantastical, raises important questions about the nature of reality and the limits of our own perception. Tinkerer that I am, I'm fascinated by the ways in which our own biases and limitations can shape our understanding of the world around us. Piranesi's experience of his world is shaped by his own mind and the way he chooses to interpret the information available to him. This is a powerful reminder that our perception of reality is not always objective, and that we must be conscious of the ways in which our own biases and assumptions can influence our understanding of the world.
In addition to its exploration of perception and reality, Piranesi also has important things to say about the nature of discovery and the importance of curiosity. The title character’s exploration of the house is driven by a deep curiosity about the world around him, and his desire to understand the truth of his existence. As an engineer, I'm always inspired by the power of curiosity to drive discovery and push the boundaries of what we know.
Finally, Piranesi also touches on the importance of human connection and the power of community. Our hero’s solitary existence is upended when he discovers that there are other people in the house with him. Through his interactions with these individuals, he comes to understand the power of human connection and the importance of working together towards a common goal. As someone who works in a field that often requires collaboration and teamwork, this message resonated deeply with me.
Piranesi is a truly remarkable book that raises important questions about the nature of reality, the power of perception, and the importance of curiosity and human connection. I found the novel to be both deeply thought-provoking and profoundly inspiring, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in exploring the boundaries of their own understanding of the world.
