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One Eco's book relevant, IMO, for programmers: "The search for the Perfect Language". In a way, it can be thought of as a prequel to the history of programming languages.

https://www.amazon.com/Search-Perfect-Language-Umberto-Eco/d...

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He also wrote a short piece comparing operating systems to religion which is is quite amusing. It boils down to:

Windows = Protestantism Macs = Christian Unix = Talmudic

(if i recall correctly)

Previously on HN too https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11137982

It's also quite relevant for anyone with a morbid interest in those "logical" conlangs that try to divide the world into some sort of rational categories (Lojban, Ithkuil etc.). Though perhaps demotivating for those who attempt to create/learn one ;-)

Also, be sure to read Borges' "The analytical language of John Wilkins" if you like this sort of thing :)

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