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jrc2011 's review for:
Brain Bugs: How the Brain's Flaws Shape Our Lives
by Dean Buonomano
Took this one up as an audio book -- and I'm not sure what I expected, honestly. It's a very long review of existing knowledge with the author's own metaphors / examples and what passes as a sense of humor thrown in. Read the last chapter, skip the rest of the book if you've read any of the source material as the author cites heavily.
My key takeaway from this book was inspired by the last chapter where the author repeatedly discusses how certain patterns in human behavior can be traced back to the importance of successful reproduction. It got me thinking about dominant culture in the US and how "the holidays" really are not a general "celebration" -- but really a celebration of "the family" and conformity to those so-called ideals of shared family. People give lip service to "family" but in the long run - it's really about their own close family and single people are left out or actively excluded.
The author spent a lot more time on religion as a "brain bug" but surprisingly little time on the idea of romantic pair bonding or the "need" to have children as a brain bug. That might make an interesting follow-up.
My key takeaway from this book was inspired by the last chapter where the author repeatedly discusses how certain patterns in human behavior can be traced back to the importance of successful reproduction. It got me thinking about dominant culture in the US and how "the holidays" really are not a general "celebration" -- but really a celebration of "the family" and conformity to those so-called ideals of shared family. People give lip service to "family" but in the long run - it's really about their own close family and single people are left out or actively excluded.
The author spent a lot more time on religion as a "brain bug" but surprisingly little time on the idea of romantic pair bonding or the "need" to have children as a brain bug. That might make an interesting follow-up.