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meghan111's review against another edition
3.0
Surely at some point you've asked yourself, "Fucking magnets, how do they work?" While reading this, I was amazed at the straightforward and useful explanation of electromagnets. This account of transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy for autism is interesting as it chronicles how the author's emotional perceptions changed after the course of treatments. In his 50s, he had decades of living to compare the differences to, and his realizations are striking. Descriptions of the treatments themselves weren't hard to read, unless like me you hate reading about medical settings - white coat syndrome for literature. So I skipped some of it.
leisurelyloner's review against another edition
4.0
I stumbled across this in the new arrivals section of the library and had to check it out. Very intriguing reading about both Mr. Robinson's vivid personal experiences, as well general speculation about where this experimentation could ultimately take us. He explores both its potential for great transformation and its possible downside: could making a brain more "neurotypical" possibly snuff out the unusual gifts and abilities of people on the autism spectrum, or those with other neurological differences?
As somone who is not on the autism spectrum but was likely born with a naturally more inhibited, anxiety-prone temperament, I wonder about the appeal of this sort of thing even in people who don't have a clinical disorder. Would people want to use this to make "cosmetic" changes in their personalities, making themselves feel less fear and caution in new situations, or a greater sense of reward from socializing or risk-taking? Could making oneself more detached and emotionally blunted, the opposite of Mr. Robison's treatment, become a desired procedure for some people, people in lines of work where it's better to be "switched off"?
Fascinating area of research, and I'll definitely be keeping up with its developments.
As somone who is not on the autism spectrum but was likely born with a naturally more inhibited, anxiety-prone temperament, I wonder about the appeal of this sort of thing even in people who don't have a clinical disorder. Would people want to use this to make "cosmetic" changes in their personalities, making themselves feel less fear and caution in new situations, or a greater sense of reward from socializing or risk-taking? Could making oneself more detached and emotionally blunted, the opposite of Mr. Robison's treatment, become a desired procedure for some people, people in lines of work where it's better to be "switched off"?
Fascinating area of research, and I'll definitely be keeping up with its developments.
princesszinza's review against another edition
4.0
I'd like to thank Netgalley and Random House for the free copy of this book. I read and loved John Robison's "Look Me in the Eye" and was excited to read his newest book. At the beginning of his story, John speaks of all the parents who come up to him after lectures looking for help for their own autistic children. They beseech him for answers. John is reluctant to be as an autism guru and hopes that his writing that he worked so hard on is appreciated for it's merits. Like so much of what Mr. Robison discusses I found this passage so interesting and pondered it as I read the rest of the book. I know these parents he describes so well. Desperate for some sort of fix or cure for their children they read up books by Temple Grandlin, Donna Williams and John Robison desperately hoping that their stories will give them insight and a way to reach their child. The irony is that each of these writers achieved their success by embracing their differences and using their uniqueness to stand out in a neurotypical world. (For the record, although I originally picked up "Look Me in the Eye" to glean his insight, I kept reading because I enjoyed John's prose and humor. He's an excellent writer.)
This is why I was surprised when I learned that John Robison decided to be part of a study to have his brain magnetically stimulated to see if it would help him relate better to other people. The experiment was a success for John. John's own son Cubby eventually joined the study. Cubby's results were not as dramatic. The book lays out his journey in brain stimulation as well as some significant milestones (divorce, remarriage, the death of his first wife) in vivid detail. I loved how he describes the way he heard music in a new way after his brain zapping. The author explains the brain and it's pathways in great detail. He also explains the TMS procedure thoroughly.
John Robison is either very brave or extremely reckless. I can't imagine agreeing to do something that would alter the pathways I use to think and relate to others. It's even more harrowing to imagine recommending such a procedure to my own child. It's fascinating to think of the brain and it's ability to change - it's plasticity. I was fascinated by the science and by the test subject. I also appreciated John's thoughtful ruminations on the ethics of this new science. John feels that this treatment is best used on adults. I strongly agree with him.
For myself, I'm still a strong advocate for acceptance. I'm not looking for a cure for my loved one. I am hopeful that this procedure benefits those who chose to join a study and try it.
This is why I was surprised when I learned that John Robison decided to be part of a study to have his brain magnetically stimulated to see if it would help him relate better to other people. The experiment was a success for John. John's own son Cubby eventually joined the study. Cubby's results were not as dramatic. The book lays out his journey in brain stimulation as well as some significant milestones (divorce, remarriage, the death of his first wife) in vivid detail. I loved how he describes the way he heard music in a new way after his brain zapping. The author explains the brain and it's pathways in great detail. He also explains the TMS procedure thoroughly.
John Robison is either very brave or extremely reckless. I can't imagine agreeing to do something that would alter the pathways I use to think and relate to others. It's even more harrowing to imagine recommending such a procedure to my own child. It's fascinating to think of the brain and it's ability to change - it's plasticity. I was fascinated by the science and by the test subject. I also appreciated John's thoughtful ruminations on the ethics of this new science. John feels that this treatment is best used on adults. I strongly agree with him.
For myself, I'm still a strong advocate for acceptance. I'm not looking for a cure for my loved one. I am hopeful that this procedure benefits those who chose to join a study and try it.
mnicnielsen's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
rebeccawolfe's review against another edition
4.0
John Elder Robison wrote about his life with Asperger's in LOOK ME IN THE EYE. His latest book is a fascinating account of his participation in experiments with TMS - Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. Robison has remarkable self-awareness and gives vivid descriptions of the changes in his personality that came about from the TMS sessions. He also covers the ethical and philosophical issues. If TMS gives a person better social skills but robs him of his genius-level technical abilities, is that a worthy trade? Really interesting - and scary - stuff.
casehouse's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe more like 2.5 stars. Not my favorite of Robison's books. He shares his experience with TMS (a type of magnetic brain stimulations) as part of a research study involving people with autism. The science doesn't seem to quite bear out that others will experience the same type of "emotional awakening" that Robison did. Still a promising area of future research.
ladynigelia's review against another edition
5.0
I have been recommending this book to pretty much everyone I can. It took me a really long time to get through it because I started with the audiobook, but had to switch to the ebook. And there isn't really a plot so I didn't feel any urgency to find out what happens. However, the lack of plot does not mean lack of interesting or engaging scenes! I really enjoyed listening to Mr. Robison talk about prosody while being able to actively hear exactly what he means when he says he has significantly more vocal range than he did before TMS.
The whole book is really just explaining how his life is different before and after TMS in a variety of different ways. He needs to establish how things used to be in order to fully explain why it's such a big deal that it changed. I think that means I don't need to read his older book [b:Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's|454856|Look Me in the Eye My Life with Asperger's|John Elder Robison|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1320509615s/454856.jpg|2119898] but I might be able to be convinced.
The reason I suggest this to everyone is because it really causes me to think about how I interact with different people. I have my fair share of friends/family who are on the autism spectrum and I've really tried to take into account the different ways they evaluate the same situations as I do, but this book really highlighted many varieties of differences I hadn't considered before. It is an excellent exercise in empathy for everyone, regardless of their neurological patterns.
Throughout the book Mr. Robison is very careful to make it clear that this book is HIS experience. He does not speak for everyone with Autism, nor does he speak for everyone who received TMS treatments. He is simply relating his life, his memories, and his thoughts. I'm glad he does this because it really makes it clear that he wants to help as many people as he can, as best he can but he knows that what worked for him isn't the solution for everyone. A very compassionate stance from somebody who wouldn't necessarily considered that at all prior to the TMS treatments.
The whole book is really just explaining how his life is different before and after TMS in a variety of different ways. He needs to establish how things used to be in order to fully explain why it's such a big deal that it changed. I think that means I don't need to read his older book [b:Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's|454856|Look Me in the Eye My Life with Asperger's|John Elder Robison|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1320509615s/454856.jpg|2119898] but I might be able to be convinced.
The reason I suggest this to everyone is because it really causes me to think about how I interact with different people. I have my fair share of friends/family who are on the autism spectrum and I've really tried to take into account the different ways they evaluate the same situations as I do, but this book really highlighted many varieties of differences I hadn't considered before. It is an excellent exercise in empathy for everyone, regardless of their neurological patterns.
Throughout the book Mr. Robison is very careful to make it clear that this book is HIS experience. He does not speak for everyone with Autism, nor does he speak for everyone who received TMS treatments. He is simply relating his life, his memories, and his thoughts. I'm glad he does this because it really makes it clear that he wants to help as many people as he can, as best he can but he knows that what worked for him isn't the solution for everyone. A very compassionate stance from somebody who wouldn't necessarily considered that at all prior to the TMS treatments.