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t6bea's review against another edition
i have not picked this up in literal months lets be honest. im not finishing it
hlwilkins's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve read all of Dean’s books so whilst the situation he wrote this one in (the death of his father from covid) was different, I felt like a lot of the info he’d already told me in another book. Maybe I’ve read too many neuro and psychology books! I didn’t learn anything surprisingly new.
The chapter on emotions and technology interested me the most.
The chapter on emotions and technology interested me the most.
phsn's review against another edition
4.0
Have you ever felt curious about the myth of brain vs heart? Did you know that emotions actually happen in our brains? Do you know how hormones such as testosterone affect the way we think and influence our emotions and then shape our behaviour? There are a lot of other factors that contribute to how we feel/perceive emotions. And here’s another good read to debunk the brain vs heart misconception apart from introducing you to the principles of emotions.
Burnett delves into the origins of existence and how emotions affect us. This book gives another perspective of emotional intelligence taking into account Burnett’s personal experiences, professional input as a neuroscientist, and profound insights into the grieving process to reveal how our emotions shape our identity.
Intro:
Burnett initially wrote on the topic of Emotional Intelligence (EQ), however, following his father’s demise, he decided to include his personal experiences alongside the science of emotions and their functions in our brain which results in the topic of Emotional Ignorance. Every study that supported Burnett’s views is considered to be a well-established fact about emotions, with other researchers presenting contrasting facts. Very up-close and personal, this book examines the role of emotions in numerous facets of life, ranging from the most fundamental biological processes to cutting-edge technology. It is a combination of scientific investigation, a journal of grief, and self-discovery that enables Burnett to confront his emotional naivety. Exploring grief has opened up doors for understanding and making sense of our experience which led Burnett to unlikely emotional phases yielding intriguing insights.
1) Emotional Basics:
Burnett sought to comprehend the fundamentals of emotions, commencing with the most basic query: what is an emotion? Despite centuries of research and debate, there is no significant consensus regarding a specific definition of an emotion. To unravel the larger complexity of emotions, it is necessary to examine specific instances of distinct and recognisable emotional manifestations and expressions. This research is essential, but there is still much to learn about the origins of emotions in the brain.
2) Emotions vs Thinking:
Emotions are frequently portrayed in science fiction as a liability/burden, a weakness, and that humans will always be threatened by or inferior to any intelligence that lacks or is immune to emotions. This may be seen in the Terminator and Matrix series, Star Trek, etc. Emotions, according to the Stoics and Buddhists, block reason and enlightenment, and the common view is that emotions are an impediment to rational cognition. Emotions are an integral part of the human mind, identity, and capacity to exist as a thinking being. During a difficult period, it became clear that they have a profound effect on memory.
3) Emotional Memories:
In the account of Burnett’s father's demise because of COVID-19, he was advised to concentrate on the positive memories, but either way, it turned out to be painful and infused with a profound sense of loss. Burnett has lost a parent in painful circumstances, has been separated from family and friends, and experiencing a flood of negative emotions. Oftentimes, expressing and discussing emotions are equally essential to our emotional well-being.
4) Emotional Communication:
Burnett also experienced a range of emotions, including apathy, profound loss, wrath, and resentment. He believed that being surrounded by family or friends who were also in mourning would have aided in surviving the ordeal. Due to the pandemic, Burnett is unable to express his emotions to friends and family, which may affect their relationships. As long as Burnett is able to maintain a good relationship with those he cares about, it will help in transitioning into something positive.
5) Emotional Relationships:
Less than three months after his father's demise, Burnett encountered the more difficult aspects of being a caretaker. Our brains are strong enough to enable us to feel genuine emotions for people who are not physically present in our reality. This demonstrates the resilience of our emotional bonds, that even death won’t break them.
6) Emotional Technology:
Emotions' chemical reactions happen so fast in our brains that even current technology fails to accurately detect them. The more aware we are of our emotions, the more we can moderate and control their effects and influence on ourselves.
Conclusion:
Emotions have always been about change, and because emotions happen throughout our brains, they have the capacity to affect us instantly. This experience has taught Burnett to not disregard or reject the emotions he’s feeling, as emotional pain is equivalent to pain caused by physical injury or illness. Burnett has been able to persevere while dealing with his father’s demise by reading a book, writing, and acknowledging his emotions in order to move on. As a neurologist, Burnett concluded that accepting the fact that we will continue to experience emotional upheaval throughout our entire lifetimes with the willingness to work with our emotions rather than controlling or suppressing them will give a more positive outlook on the quality of our life.
Burnett delves into the origins of existence and how emotions affect us. This book gives another perspective of emotional intelligence taking into account Burnett’s personal experiences, professional input as a neuroscientist, and profound insights into the grieving process to reveal how our emotions shape our identity.
Intro:
Burnett initially wrote on the topic of Emotional Intelligence (EQ), however, following his father’s demise, he decided to include his personal experiences alongside the science of emotions and their functions in our brain which results in the topic of Emotional Ignorance. Every study that supported Burnett’s views is considered to be a well-established fact about emotions, with other researchers presenting contrasting facts. Very up-close and personal, this book examines the role of emotions in numerous facets of life, ranging from the most fundamental biological processes to cutting-edge technology. It is a combination of scientific investigation, a journal of grief, and self-discovery that enables Burnett to confront his emotional naivety. Exploring grief has opened up doors for understanding and making sense of our experience which led Burnett to unlikely emotional phases yielding intriguing insights.
1) Emotional Basics:
Burnett sought to comprehend the fundamentals of emotions, commencing with the most basic query: what is an emotion? Despite centuries of research and debate, there is no significant consensus regarding a specific definition of an emotion. To unravel the larger complexity of emotions, it is necessary to examine specific instances of distinct and recognisable emotional manifestations and expressions. This research is essential, but there is still much to learn about the origins of emotions in the brain.
2) Emotions vs Thinking:
Emotions are frequently portrayed in science fiction as a liability/burden, a weakness, and that humans will always be threatened by or inferior to any intelligence that lacks or is immune to emotions. This may be seen in the Terminator and Matrix series, Star Trek, etc. Emotions, according to the Stoics and Buddhists, block reason and enlightenment, and the common view is that emotions are an impediment to rational cognition. Emotions are an integral part of the human mind, identity, and capacity to exist as a thinking being. During a difficult period, it became clear that they have a profound effect on memory.
3) Emotional Memories:
In the account of Burnett’s father's demise because of COVID-19, he was advised to concentrate on the positive memories, but either way, it turned out to be painful and infused with a profound sense of loss. Burnett has lost a parent in painful circumstances, has been separated from family and friends, and experiencing a flood of negative emotions. Oftentimes, expressing and discussing emotions are equally essential to our emotional well-being.
4) Emotional Communication:
Burnett also experienced a range of emotions, including apathy, profound loss, wrath, and resentment. He believed that being surrounded by family or friends who were also in mourning would have aided in surviving the ordeal. Due to the pandemic, Burnett is unable to express his emotions to friends and family, which may affect their relationships. As long as Burnett is able to maintain a good relationship with those he cares about, it will help in transitioning into something positive.
5) Emotional Relationships:
Less than three months after his father's demise, Burnett encountered the more difficult aspects of being a caretaker. Our brains are strong enough to enable us to feel genuine emotions for people who are not physically present in our reality. This demonstrates the resilience of our emotional bonds, that even death won’t break them.
6) Emotional Technology:
Emotions' chemical reactions happen so fast in our brains that even current technology fails to accurately detect them. The more aware we are of our emotions, the more we can moderate and control their effects and influence on ourselves.
Conclusion:
Emotions have always been about change, and because emotions happen throughout our brains, they have the capacity to affect us instantly. This experience has taught Burnett to not disregard or reject the emotions he’s feeling, as emotional pain is equivalent to pain caused by physical injury or illness. Burnett has been able to persevere while dealing with his father’s demise by reading a book, writing, and acknowledging his emotions in order to move on. As a neurologist, Burnett concluded that accepting the fact that we will continue to experience emotional upheaval throughout our entire lifetimes with the willingness to work with our emotions rather than controlling or suppressing them will give a more positive outlook on the quality of our life.
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