Interesting listen

Really interesting book. The author/editor was smart to save the politics and religion for the end of the book; if it would have started with that I never would have listened to the rest. Dude needs to do some psilocybin therapy before he goes on and on about things science can’t disprove any more than it can prove. Aside from that entire chunk of preaching science as a religion harder than any bible beating christian I’ve ever seen, as if something religious scarred him as a child and now he’s hellbent on convincing the reader *repetitively* that there is no such thing as a soul and it’s one of the worst fallacies we can pass on to others blah blah blah, the actual scientifically relevant rest of the book was great. I’m a huge fan of objective science. But I’m also a huge fan of the rest of the universe that science, and apparently this author, can’t reach yet; and more than maybe both of those, I’m a huge fan of not pushing shit on people either way and especially not when you haven’t experienced more than one perspective for yourself. That annoyed me enough to write a review, but really the rest WAS very interesting and fun to think about.

5 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Wonderful book...until the author starts preaching his opinions and loses objectivity

This book is worth a read-up to a point. The studies and information are well chosen and clearly explained. Jokes are peppered throughout, so the reader initially breezes through the information. But the ride stops at Chapter 9, when he becomes increasingly self-righteous about his own opinions. A bit shocking because, in the very next breath, he advises us not to "cling to our beliefs". His scornful, superior language is off-putting, even to someone who's inclined to agree with the opinions. He tears down beliefs he dislikes with unconcealed contempt and insults. Falsifiability is the gold standard for empirical work. Yet the author abandons any hint of empiricism and declares souls have been "proved" not to exist (by studies that do no such thing), for one example. Scientists do not claim (if they are sane) to be able to prove or falsify souls or an existence beyond death. The author's arrogance at the end spoiled what, for me, was otherwise a decent book.

3 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Eye-Opening and Interesting

Overall I liked this book, in theory I know that i’m just a brain that built itself a husk to pass on genetic material but confronting that reality is something else. Basically get ready to have a bit of an existential crisis if you’re anything like me. The only drawback was that some of the humor was pretty forced, like a dad trying to make his teenagers laugh, I couldn’t decide if this improved or detracted from the book.

3 persone l'hanno trovata utile

What makes people so different? Lay-reader-friendly book with humor and pop culture references

Fun, very good science read about who we are and what helped make us that way. If you’re science-wary, I think this is a lay-reader-friendly book with a LOT of pop culture references—which helps bridge the knowledge gap between biosciences and the layman. This book has up-to-date information about “newer” topics—including epigenetics, the human microbiome, parasites, etc.—with understandable explanations. Here are some topics: tastes, appetites, addictions, moods, beliefs, etc.

I recommend this book to lay readers who wish to learn about what’s new in biosciences. This includes my paralegal/admin-assistant sister, because we have identical twin cousins with diametrically opposite personalities. I was interested in how a combination of genetics, epigenetics, family dynamics, and social environment influence child development.

OTOH, if you have more than a moderate science or medical background, you should read the sample before buying. I listened to the audiobook, which features an excellent narrator, and I liked the Audible version so much, I re-listened to selected chapters!

Note: I have a biomedical background. I’m not one for sitcoms or campy musicals, and I rarely read satire or comedy, so I docked a star.

2 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Very good except Chapter 9

Very interesting and evidence-based until the author gets to Chapter 9, about beliefs. He does a good job analyzing the neurological and behavioral differences between political viewpoints, but when it comes to religious people vs. non-religious people, he quotes none of the many studies that have been done. He takes for granted that all spiritual beliefs are wrong, superstitious, and harmful. When speaking about the soul, he forgets the basic scientific trope, 'absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.'

Otherwise, I do recommend this book. Narration is perfect, by the way!

1 persona l'ha trovata utile

Pop Science, Little Empirical Evidence

This book makes claims based on popular explanations of psychological and health phenomena, and props them up with anecdotal evidence. There are few, if any, references to studies. This would not be a problem if the book were presented as a non-scientific exploration of possible explanation, but the author writes as if the content is well-verified, which it is not. Many of these ideas could be true, or have some basis in truth, but more research is needed to be sure.

1 persona l'ha trovata utile

Interesting Book

As an expert in economics & finance, I enjoyed so much this book of microbiology & genetics. Because, is engaging and novel. Also,I like the good humour of the writer and the good narration.

1 persona l'ha trovata utile

it's a must-have.

Fact after fact after fact.
If you love the truth this is your book.

1 persona l'ha trovata utile

Many intriguing insights

The reader is exposed to many current and future genetic therapies that may prove beneficial to individuals and humans as a whole. Reflection on how we, as a species, evolved and have been influenced by our genetics and our environment are fascinating. Author and reader make the performance enjoyable.

Fascinating, political, and judgy.

While it was extremely interesting and easy to follow, it did get a little judgy toward the end. Had that been toned down I probably would have personally recommended it. As is, I wouldn’t want friends and family feeling preached at or talked down to.