Excellent book based on science. Brings explanation to why the God of all religions has so many human/male attributes. A great study of human evolutioExcellent book based on science. Brings explanation to why the God of all religions has so many human/male attributes. A great study of human evolution and behavioral parallelism with apes. ...more
This is a very interesting book to understand the human behavior under the scope of domestication. It supports the hypothesis that Homo sapiens has seThis is a very interesting book to understand the human behavior under the scope of domestication. It supports the hypothesis that Homo sapiens has self-domesticated during its evolution of 300.00o years, most males controlling the aggressive males for the sake of survival of the community.
It all boils down to this, in each of us there is this animal instinct that can be triggered under dire circumstances (reactive aggression). Some mammals, Human and apes are also interestingly capable of planned murder (proactive aggression) when they see their power surpasses that of the target.
Humans appear docile compared to apes but one has to remember this:
“Among our ancestors, coalitionary proactive violence directed at members of their own social groups enabled self-domestication and the evolution of the moral senses. Now it enables the functioning of states. Unfortunately it also gives our species war, caste, the butchery of helpless adults, and many other forms of irresistible coercion. The reason coalitionary proactive aggression enables these despotic behaviors is straightforward. A coalition of proactive human aggressors can choose when and how to be aggressive to their victims in such a well-planned way that they can achieve their goal with ovewhelming force and without risking their own safety. As long as the victim cannot assemble a defense, the ability to plan with clinical detachment gives a coalition extraordinary power. Success in removing opponents is predictable and cheap.”
“If we continue to improve the protections in our societies, the level of damage will continue to recede. But we should never forget the alarming potential made possible by the exertion of extreme power. The human species has yet to record a peace that lasts for millennia; and in a nuclear world, the frequency of violence might be less important than its intensity.”
Excerpt From: Richard Wrangham. “The Goodness Paradox.” Apple Books....more
Ginny Moon is an impressive debut. The style, sensitivity, humor is all perfect. I enjoyed this one very much. Falls in the same category with EleanorGinny Moon is an impressive debut. The style, sensitivity, humor is all perfect. I enjoyed this one very much. Falls in the same category with Eleanor Oliphant and Curios incidence of the dog.....more
This is such a beautiful book that lays out the real reasons behind depression, the lies of pharmaceutical industry, the indecency of the so called scThis is such a beautiful book that lays out the real reasons behind depression, the lies of pharmaceutical industry, the indecency of the so called scientist; and also shows us, providing real-life evidence on why people get depressed and how to deal with it.
In our day, the amount of scientific data that is published but cannot be replicated, has reached to the level of 80-85%. And the real ratio can be even worse than this. We see these kind of lies and schemes in all areas of medicine from cardiovascular to women`s health.
The other issue is the systems that treat people like cogs in the mill. Unless the people find a way to unite for what is good and true and fight for their rights as we see in the examples of Kotti and the Mitchells, this misuse and abuse of power will continue to augment and accelerate; and we will continue this sleepwalking supported by the media, tabloids and companies.
Written from a journalist/reporter`s point of view and life-long experience with depression, this book is a must read for psychiatrists, social workers, psychologists, leaders and anyone who has the courage to see what the misinformation clouds are hiding in this business.
It is also a very uplifting and humanitarian book, highlighting the fact that we are very similar in basics, and indeed semi-divine when we can unite and focus on real values....more
Thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated all the information in this book. Might change how you look at yourself, think of yourself and the world around youThoroughly enjoyed and appreciated all the information in this book. Might change how you look at yourself, think of yourself and the world around you....more
It is not a laugh out, funny book as advertised. But still, a very good book to understand another culture and have a good time in an afternoon.
This iIt is not a laugh out, funny book as advertised. But still, a very good book to understand another culture and have a good time in an afternoon.
This is a bitter-sweet and entertaining book about the economic crisis of the Soviet Union's system, and the history of Ukraine during and after the WWII. Ukrainians who are forced to flee Stalin`s camps, or who couldn`t but grew with the stories of the riches of west and the hope to escape their conditions in the slightest chance they can get. It is also about trying to make a living in another culture, and the tragicomical affairs of one Ukranian beauty....more
Hilarious, I listened to this all through last weeks commute and it wiped away all my post-christmas/New Years depression. Love you Ellen, your da besHilarious, I listened to this all through last weeks commute and it wiped away all my post-christmas/New Years depression. Love you Ellen, your da best....more
Wonderful book, inspiring and especially for those who are are stuck in a rut momentarily on the way toward their goals. Rita Levi-Montalcini appears Wonderful book, inspiring and especially for those who are are stuck in a rut momentarily on the way toward their goals. Rita Levi-Montalcini appears as a very down-to-earth, humble, true-to-ones-self person. I certainly wish I had seen her alive, attended a lecture of hers or something similar. The way she could continue to focus on her research under fascist Italy and German invasion, her perseverance, is just remarkable, amazing....more
Great book. This is a book about self improvement and the obstacles to it. It neatly tackles the problem of self-awareness from many vantage points. IGreat book. This is a book about self improvement and the obstacles to it. It neatly tackles the problem of self-awareness from many vantage points. I especially enjoyed the part where she explains how and why people rather lie to others faces rather than telling the truth and what it costs to all. And also the comparison of being too analytic versus too aloof, both of which make it impossible to improve oneself. A hopeful point is that according to the writer, some of the a.holes in our lives might just be the unaware type. It was a perfect start for this reading year....more
I like reading Harari and learn many new things from his books. My favorite is still the Sapiens because it had a lot of research in it. This one I alI like reading Harari and learn many new things from his books. My favorite is still the Sapiens because it had a lot of research in it. This one I also enjoyed however in some chapters like education and immigrant problem, its merely at the level of commiseration rather than offering a new perspective or solution. Never-the-less its a book that induces deep thinking....more
Even though it starts in a funny-weird, light-hearted way (like a coneheads meet psycho), it quickly turns into a sad drama centered around bullying. Even though it starts in a funny-weird, light-hearted way (like a coneheads meet psycho), it quickly turns into a sad drama centered around bullying. Lately I began to think of bullying as a sort of racism where the mediocre/more frequent (therefore holding more power by abundance) bully the special/less frequent character.
Where I used to live before moving to US, one has to be bland to blend in, any deviation from the mean, any sign of difference from the social mold- especially in IQ - will be severely punished, especially if you are a girl. You get it (that you are different) around age 2, and try not to be noticed from then on, its like playing a psychological hide and seek constantly. So I know how Bernadette feels, very well, still I couldn't like the way the writer laid out the story and the characters except Bee....more
Except for the feeling of nausea that accompanies the reading at times, this is a very interesting book about the cholera epidemic in 1854, before theExcept for the feeling of nausea that accompanies the reading at times, this is a very interesting book about the cholera epidemic in 1854, before the existence of bacteriology/parasitology.
It is also the epic tale of John Snow who almost single handedly kept track of contamination pathways, fought against the miasma theory and the biased and unscientific approach of his peers, tried to locate and define the germ and still kept his hat on like a gentleman. Amazing true story, especially if you are interested in history of medicine. John Snow is known as the father of Public Health and Germ theory, (in addition to his many contributions to medicine)....more
Not only it is very easy to read and understand, but it has study designs that are so witty, I feel I am getting smarterThis is a truly awesome book.
Not only it is very easy to read and understand, but it has study designs that are so witty, I feel I am getting smarter just by reading it. The information presented here is so important that anyone in a leadership position must be aware of this. It is very well in accord with the data from the book 'Pathological Altruism` by B. Oakley and points out some of the misinterpretations presented in `The Invisible Gorilla`.
If you are interested in why people lie and cheat, how a bad apple can ruin the whole basket and how to prevent these, read this book. Also read this just to have some fun in human behaviors.
3.5 stars. Started reading it cause I was waiting to hear my test results and I couldn't concentrate enough on any other book, this one didn't need an3.5 stars. Started reading it cause I was waiting to hear my test results and I couldn't concentrate enough on any other book, this one didn't need any effort. I like her being awkward and funny. Definitely a very talented actress. The book has bits and pieces of coming of age memories, lots of independency (or being left to take care of oneself), first experiences and struggles (although she tells them as in a comic book kind of way). She is both an insider (because its her job) and an outsider (because I get the impression that fake/superficial goes against her being) in her stories and this makes it fun reading about her. In the book, there are sentences from an alien world which are refreshingly neat to encounter such as these; “When a fashion house throws a party, they send clothing options to the invitees so that no one shows up in Chanel and rips apart the space-time continuum. ” or “Any decent subculture can sell you the promise that reaching the top of its hierarchy means you’ve accomplished something. Clubbing was no different.”...more
3.5 Liked it but did not like it enough as the other reviews made me expect. I am confused about this book, this is my third rating and can be more. T3.5 Liked it but did not like it enough as the other reviews made me expect. I am confused about this book, this is my third rating and can be more. There are parts I enjoyed that ran effortlessly, and there are parts I wanted to just skip but didn't. Its the story of a Greek family that lived in Turkey and moved to USA. The writer begins his story at 1912 and narrates the story as if he was there, in an imaginative mode. A very complicated story of a genetic disease that grips a large family and keeps coming up during the book like a jack in the box. There is open expression of hostility to Turks; there is incest and immigration issues and working class history of US.
5 alpha reductase deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder (meaning you only get it if both of the copies you inherit from your parents are defective) that results in pseudo-hermaphroditism.
For your information, excerpt from NIH site: 5-alpha reductase deficiency is a condition that affects male sexual development before birth and during puberty. People with this condition are genetically male, with one X and one Y chromosome in each cell, and they have male gonads (testes). Their bodies, however, do not produce enough of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT has a critical role in male sexual development, and a shortage of this hormone disrupts the formation of the external sex organs before birth.
Many people with 5-alpha reductase deficiency are born with external genitalia that appear female. In other cases, the external genitalia do not look clearly male or clearly female (sometimes called ambiguous genitalia). Still other affected infants have genitalia that appear predominantly male, often with an unusually small penis (micropenis) and the urethra opening on the underside of the penis (hypospadias).
During puberty, an increase in the levels of male sex hormones leads to the development of some secondary sex characteristics, such as increased muscle mass, deepening of the voice, development of pubic hair, and a growth spurt. The penis and scrotum (the sac of skin that holds the testes) grow larger. Unlike many men, people with 5-alpha reductase deficiency do not develop much facial or body hair. Most affected individuals are unable to have biological children without assisted reproduction.
Children with 5-alpha reductase deficiency are often raised as girls. Some of these individuals adopt a male gender role in adolescence or early adulthood, while others adopt a female gender role....more
Enlightening indeed! Very uplifting reading, especially for pessimists like me. He clearly points out the effect of distorted/exaggerated news, the neEnlightening indeed! Very uplifting reading, especially for pessimists like me. He clearly points out the effect of distorted/exaggerated news, the negative bias of people, dirty politics and the lack of reason behind all the sky-is -falling attitude that seems to dominate communities.
I have learned so many good facts from this book that helped me view things differently such as the global Cosmopolitanism, 8x increase in number of countries ruled by democracy within the last 50 years, the increased life quality and expectancy.
He believes in our ability to create solutions and adapt. He pinpoints the evidence that we are evolving to a better vision of ourselves despite the fluctuations that may seem like a step-back at times. Lets hope the carbon emission will be under control soon..AND that the people will trust in science more than their own beliefs and superstitions. (and act accordingly)
Good book that points out the importance of a balanced diet and essential fats as a part of it.
Saturated fats are not bad and if you do not consume thGood book that points out the importance of a balanced diet and essential fats as a part of it.
Saturated fats are not bad and if you do not consume them with carbohydrates, you will be doing good to yourself. This was the point that led the scientific community in the wrong direction in the 50s, thanks to Ancel Key`s (nutritionist) prejudice and press support on the cholesterol hypothesis.
I have respect for Ken Robinson. He believes in people. He believes in strong will and commitment. However, may be, subtle things may get lost in tranI have respect for Ken Robinson. He believes in people. He believes in strong will and commitment. However, may be, subtle things may get lost in translation when it comes to subjects like how to find ones element or fulfilling your destiny etc....more
This is a memoir, a horror story, an elegy for the children/childhood left to the mercy of parents ( who the system presumes to be capable/eligible/liThis is a memoir, a horror story, an elegy for the children/childhood left to the mercy of parents ( who the system presumes to be capable/eligible/licenced just because they can have children; for some reason that defies logic). Even when one is driving a car one needs a license, for every occupation one needs to prove adequacy; yet when it comes to parenting.....
"Dad worries that the Government will force us to go but it can’t, because it doesn’t know about us. Four of my parents’ seven children don’t have birth certificates. We have no medical records because we were born at home and have never seen a doctor or nurse. We have no school records because we’ve never set foot in a classroom. When I am nine, I will be issued a Delayed Certificate of Birth, but at this moment, according to the state of Idaho and the federal government, I do not exist."
Westover`s family belongs to Mormon faith and live in Idaho. In their community there are herbs for medicine and unlicensed midwifes replace doctors. Her father seems to be a borderline paranoid schizophrenic, her mother is not normal either. The writer has 6 more siblings, herself being the youngest. The children are not allowed to be in the world outside, they don't have friends, they don't see a doctor, are not vaccinated, hospitalized or schooled when needed. As if this is not enough one brother in the family is physically attacking and injuring the girls continuously.
Tara Westover manages to self-teach, and get a university education. She manages to succeed against all odds. She rebirths herself and severs the chord that (literally) binds her. ...more
`One of the things we need to do as Americans is to work hard individually at eating our shadows, and so make sure that we are not releasing energy w `One of the things we need to do as Americans is to work hard individually at eating our shadows, and so make sure that we are not releasing energy which can then be picked up by the politicians, who can use it against Russia, China, or the South American countries.`
This is a little gem of a book. Although written in the 80`s it seems to be a timeless classic. ...more
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