STG's

Summer Frost is a novella by Blake Crouch, which also did Recursion recently. Very enjoyable, even if it ended the classic way (I am thinking about another AI series, but can't mention it without creating a half spoiler for those who read it). Some topics (such as super intelligence and the goal problem) are nicely close to what is thought about in non fiction about the topic, too. I am specially thinking about Life 3.0 .

Mothergunship is basically, Tower of Guns 2 (even the EXE is named that). So, it is pretty much a bullet hell FPS, but this time you build your guns and upgrades. I don't what about it I specifically don't like, but it feels more like a chore than fun. Graphics and music are OK, if not great. Walking feels a little too smooth, and like I'm sliding. But there is something about the guns and the enemies that just really don't satisfy.

God's Trigger is a top shooter, with some gimmicks. One of the big ones is having two exchangeable characters. This isn't uncommon, and it probably goes as you'd expect - they have complimentary special moves, that are needed in some places. One is an angel and one is a demon, and they are apparently trying to stop the apocalypse. There is also some progression with upgrades, although a bit slower than I'd like. You buy those at every level start with experience, which you get by killing enemies and laying around in boxes on the levels. There is a checkpoint system, which is important as you get killed with one shot (apparently they don't make angels and demons like they used to...) Some can take a couple of minutes, which make for some very annoying replays of rooms. Given this, the levels feel a bit like a puzzle, where you try to figure out a sequence that won't get you killed. There is also a stealth option, but it is a little hard to get away with i...

Ultralearning  by Scott Young is a book that focus on techniques to learn faster. It is probably useful to note his definition of ultralearning - a strategy to acquire skills and knowledge that is both self-directed and intense I was quite familiar with most of what is described in the book, as I have been following his blog for a few years now. Still, it goes into much more detail and is a pleasant read. I haven't tried the techniques yet, but many of them look sound, and I have seen some of them elsewhere. I was aware of a few names of the ultralearners, but I was surprised to see an old ASP (Association of Software Professionals) colleague in there, Steve Pavlina (CS degree in 3 semesters). Overall, worth the time, and I hope I will do a ultralearning project eventually.