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vikingvisuals's reviews
57 reviews
The Brain: The Story of You by David Eagleman
5.0
After reading his collaborative effort with Anthony Brandt regarding creativity, I was really inspired to read more from him. Despite his exceptional background in neuroscience and the study of the brain, David Eagleman has a way of really putting complex concepts simply.
Many of the concepts identified in this book were ones that I have encountered previously, often in regards to philosophy (especially philosophy of mind), however this time they were presented along with current research, as being undertaken by countless neuroscientists around the world.
Even without any background in this subject or the ideas presented, I believe this book is a phenomenal, enjoyable, and relatively short introduction into how our brains are responsible for our world. Thus I would recommend this book to everyone as a primer to not only understanding but appreciating the wonderful devices that allow us to experience absolutely everything.
Many of the concepts identified in this book were ones that I have encountered previously, often in regards to philosophy (especially philosophy of mind), however this time they were presented along with current research, as being undertaken by countless neuroscientists around the world.
Even without any background in this subject or the ideas presented, I believe this book is a phenomenal, enjoyable, and relatively short introduction into how our brains are responsible for our world. Thus I would recommend this book to everyone as a primer to not only understanding but appreciating the wonderful devices that allow us to experience absolutely everything.
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker
5.0
As someone who has always struggled with sleep, I thought I always knew how important sleep was. It was obvious to me how the missing hours of sleep caused me to feel exhausted throughout the day, thus hampering my desire as well as ability to get things done, even those things which I enjoy.
However reading this book made me realize that there are countless other aspects of my health and happiness that have suffered under my insomnia. Matthew Walker provides in this book irrefutable evidence of the importance of sleep and the disservice to ourselves and our fellow human beings we have unwittingly caused by our own lack (or sometimes willingness) of understanding in regards to this importance.
Through the citation of countless studies, some of which were under his own guidance, Matthew Walker illustrates various aspects of our health and well-being impacted by sleep. Through these studies and his wonderful explanation the reader is able to not only understand the importance, but see to it that these lessons are shared.
During my time reading this book I found myself understanding just how much my own sleep deprivation lined up with those negative consequences described in this book. I found myself also discussing the studies or statistics illustrated with those around me, even after the first few pages.
I have taken the information in this book to heart and am now doing my best to seek out further help in regards to my sleep health. Additionally I have been keeping up with the sleep hygiene rituals discussed towards the end of the book.
This book has been for me one of the most important books and one that I consider to be nearly essential reading for everyone, especially in a world that has not yet understood just how powerful sleep is and how neglecting we have been to it's powers.
However reading this book made me realize that there are countless other aspects of my health and happiness that have suffered under my insomnia. Matthew Walker provides in this book irrefutable evidence of the importance of sleep and the disservice to ourselves and our fellow human beings we have unwittingly caused by our own lack (or sometimes willingness) of understanding in regards to this importance.
Through the citation of countless studies, some of which were under his own guidance, Matthew Walker illustrates various aspects of our health and well-being impacted by sleep. Through these studies and his wonderful explanation the reader is able to not only understand the importance, but see to it that these lessons are shared.
During my time reading this book I found myself understanding just how much my own sleep deprivation lined up with those negative consequences described in this book. I found myself also discussing the studies or statistics illustrated with those around me, even after the first few pages.
I have taken the information in this book to heart and am now doing my best to seek out further help in regards to my sleep health. Additionally I have been keeping up with the sleep hygiene rituals discussed towards the end of the book.
This book has been for me one of the most important books and one that I consider to be nearly essential reading for everyone, especially in a world that has not yet understood just how powerful sleep is and how neglecting we have been to it's powers.
Hello World: Being Human in the Age of Algorithms by Hannah Fry
4.0
This book is a well written and entertaining dive into the background of algorithms and their uses in various areas of life: from crime and justice to art and "autonomous" driving.
It's a good overview and provides some interesting viewpoints, is likely however of somewhat less interest to people more familiar with the field.
I would have perhaps enjoyed a little bit more meat on the bones of the "being human in the age of algorithms". This concept came up only very subtly during the book and was summer up in a few pages at the conclusion, but I would have liked to see some more human aspects and the place of algorithms in our lives.
That is however a very small qualm. Hannah Fry is as entertaining in her book as she is in her videos, really looking forward to any future contributions to the minds of people like me with huge interest in these fields but little technical knowledge to truly absorb some of the fascinating information.
It's a good overview and provides some interesting viewpoints, is likely however of somewhat less interest to people more familiar with the field.
I would have perhaps enjoyed a little bit more meat on the bones of the "being human in the age of algorithms". This concept came up only very subtly during the book and was summer up in a few pages at the conclusion, but I would have liked to see some more human aspects and the place of algorithms in our lives.
That is however a very small qualm. Hannah Fry is as entertaining in her book as she is in her videos, really looking forward to any future contributions to the minds of people like me with huge interest in these fields but little technical knowledge to truly absorb some of the fascinating information.
Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst by Robert M. Sapolsky
5.0
This is a book I would wish to make mandatory reading for everyone. The lessons taught in it are extremely important and are backed by various studies across multiple fields.
One of my favorite aspects of the book is how extremely well versed the author is, not only in his own field but also in many others.
He clearly does a great job avoiding some of the tunnel visioned mistakes he mentions towards the beginning of the book: namely that scientists and researchers in a particular field tend to interpret everything through the lens of their area of expertise. He looks in great detail at the necessary neuroscience to explain behavior, but also looks into various other areas of biological sciences. Furthermore he is not shy to delve into and introduce relevant aspects of anthropology, psychology, and even philosophy. For every idea he introduces, he also considers the relevant criticisms.
All of this makes for a very rich experience and helps drive home the valuable aspects of the book.
Aside from the various lessons of the book I enjoyed the structure and repetition of ideas from previous chapters when and where relevant later on. Not to be underestimated is the wonderful humor he manages to bring even in more dry topics. Gives me the feeling of being back in University with some of my most treasured professors, adding in humor helps a lot in keeping interest.
I can only recommend this book and hope to read it again in the future to keep the ideas as fresh in my mind as possible.
One of my favorite aspects of the book is how extremely well versed the author is, not only in his own field but also in many others.
He clearly does a great job avoiding some of the tunnel visioned mistakes he mentions towards the beginning of the book: namely that scientists and researchers in a particular field tend to interpret everything through the lens of their area of expertise. He looks in great detail at the necessary neuroscience to explain behavior, but also looks into various other areas of biological sciences. Furthermore he is not shy to delve into and introduce relevant aspects of anthropology, psychology, and even philosophy. For every idea he introduces, he also considers the relevant criticisms.
All of this makes for a very rich experience and helps drive home the valuable aspects of the book.
Aside from the various lessons of the book I enjoyed the structure and repetition of ideas from previous chapters when and where relevant later on. Not to be underestimated is the wonderful humor he manages to bring even in more dry topics. Gives me the feeling of being back in University with some of my most treasured professors, adding in humor helps a lot in keeping interest.
I can only recommend this book and hope to read it again in the future to keep the ideas as fresh in my mind as possible.
Ultralearning: Master Hard Skills, Outsmart the Competition, and Accelerate Your Career by Scott H. Young
3.0
The book was interesting and some of the concepts certainly are wonderful and in some cases the examples he used were very fitting. However the more I read the book the more I felt like it was simply drawing out these concepts rather than truly delving into their effectiveness.
In the end it felt like the book could have been much shorter or better yet the concepts more quickly explained but with more time dedicated to the actual research. Lots of times so much time would be spent expressing an anecdote while a specific study would just be mentioned in one paragraph. Although all studies can certainly be read individually, I am the type of person that learns a lot more about effective strategies when these are backed up and explained through relevant research. This was touched upon and has made me interested in potentially delving further, and I can say that some strategies we're good to be refreshed as I take on my own projects, but I still can't help but feel like there was something missing in the book.
In the end it felt like the book could have been much shorter or better yet the concepts more quickly explained but with more time dedicated to the actual research. Lots of times so much time would be spent expressing an anecdote while a specific study would just be mentioned in one paragraph. Although all studies can certainly be read individually, I am the type of person that learns a lot more about effective strategies when these are backed up and explained through relevant research. This was touched upon and has made me interested in potentially delving further, and I can say that some strategies we're good to be refreshed as I take on my own projects, but I still can't help but feel like there was something missing in the book.