The World's Best Book Summaries
Is it possible to reduce or reverse the symptoms of aging? What medical anti-aging strategies does Nicklas Brendborg suggest? Nicklas Brendborg, in his book Jellyfish Age Backwards, uses Turritopsis dohrnii—the immortal jellyfish—as an entry point to explore the latest research on longevity. He discusses two scientific methods of anti-aging: medications and cellular engineering. Continue reading for a closer look at each one.
Why are internet distractions so alluring? How are algorithms created to keep us distracted? In Attention Span, Gloria Mark says we wouldn’t be drawn to electronic distractions if not for the internet. Digital connectivity makes more information readily available than ever before, but this comes with some unanticipated costs. Keep reading to learn how the internet plays a big part in our subconscious psychological desire to lose focus.
What role did language play in the emergence of human consciousness? How did metaphorical thinking transform our ancestors’ cognitive abilities? Julian Jaynes proposes that consciousness developed not through biological evolution but through cultural changes driven by language. He argues that consciousness and language are deeply intertwined, with metaphors allowing humans to express abstract concepts and develop self-awareness. Read on to explore Jaynes’s theory about how our minds evolved from hearing divine voices to developing rich inner lives.
How much of your thinking happens without your awareness? What invisible forces might be guiding your decisions and perceptions right now? The human brain processes information in ways that largely escape our conscious notice. Science writer Leonard Mlodinow explains how modern neuroscience has confirmed Sigmund Freud’s core insight that unconscious processes shape our experiences and behaviors. Keep reading to learn about Sigmund Freud’s unconscious mind theories and the developments scientists have made since Freud.
When you listen to music, what happens in your brain? What’s the difference between focused listening and experiential fusion? In his book I Heard There Was a Secret Chord, neuroscientist and musician Daniel J. Levitin explains how the human brain experiences music. He details why two people experience music differently and why everyone has different tastes. Continue reading to understand how music works in the brain.
How much control do you truly have over your thoughts and actions? What happens when your unconscious mind influences decisions you believe you’re making consciously? For Sigmund Freud, determinism was an inescapable reality. The concept seemed to fit well with his ideas about the unconscious mind. But, he also believed that we can gain some control over our lives through understanding the hidden influences of unconscious forces. Keep reading to discover how the relationship between your conscious and unconscious mind might be more complex—and more fascinating—than you realize.
Is your data failing to persuade your audience despite its accuracy? Why do some presentations move people to action while others leave them unmoved, even when the numbers are solid? Transforming raw data into compelling narratives requires specific techniques and thoughtful planning. In her book Storytelling With Data, Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic breaks down how to tell a story with data into three essential steps. Continue reading to discover how you can translate your numbers into stories that stick with your audience and inspire meaningful action.
Can the human aging process be reversed? What are the associated risks with cellular engineering? Nicklas Brendborg is a Danish biotechnologist and science writer. He writes in his book Jellyfish Age Backwards that scientists have discovered a couple of ways to reverse aging, however, they pose dangerous health risks. Here’s a look at the two cellular engineering methods that Brendborg discusses.
What if human consciousness wasn’t always part of our mental makeup? How did ancient humans experience their minds before developing self-awareness as we know it today? In HBO’s Westworld, the bicameral mind theory comes to life. This concept, laid out in Julian Jaynes’s book The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind, suggests that consciousness evolved from an earlier mental state. Keep reading to learn how Westworld illustrates Jaynes’s revolutionary ideas about consciousness.
How can music help those with Tourette’s syndrome? How does music therapy work in the brain? In his book I Heard There Was a Secret Chord, neuroscientist Daniel J. Levitin explains how music therapy can be a powerful medicine. He specifically mentions Tourette’s Syndrome, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and Huntington’s. Continue reading to learn how to harness music as medicine for movement disorders.