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A review by maryehavens
The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan
3.0
Did you know that Johnny Appleseed's popularity selling apple trees to pioneers was so that they could get drunk on cider? That Tulipomania in Holland is an example of the modern day dot com bust? That our brain has a cannabinoid center that is probably responsible for forgetting the pain and experience of childbirth? I didn't but I'm glad I do now!
Pollan lost me in the marijuana chapter. He explains that people get high to discover that sense of wonder that they have lost through collective remembering of experience. Then he gives examples which, quite frankly, I don't have time for. I've never gotten high and never felt like I lost that sense of wonder. Does that mean the cannabinoid center of my brain is more turned on that others? There was also some suspect theology that didn't float as well as a "your brain can power through your depression but take those antidepressant placebos anyway" kind of stuff. Honestly, he sounded like HE was high during some of the chapter. I even re-read parts because I thought I was being too defensive. Nope. It's there, in black and white.
Also: the potato chapter was kind of boring. Important, but a bit boring :) I wanted more history. I think I was just ready to be done after my battle with the marijuana chapter!
Pollan lost me in the marijuana chapter. He explains that people get high to discover that sense of wonder that they have lost through collective remembering of experience. Then he gives examples which, quite frankly, I don't have time for. I've never gotten high and never felt like I lost that sense of wonder. Does that mean the cannabinoid center of my brain is more turned on that others? There was also some suspect theology that didn't float as well as a "your brain can power through your depression but take those antidepressant placebos anyway" kind of stuff. Honestly, he sounded like HE was high during some of the chapter. I even re-read parts because I thought I was being too defensive. Nope. It's there, in black and white.
Also: the potato chapter was kind of boring. Important, but a bit boring :) I wanted more history. I think I was just ready to be done after my battle with the marijuana chapter!