An informative, but bias picture of the addiction some suffer from pornography. Its central premise is that pornography addiction is a real thing, eveAn informative, but bias picture of the addiction some suffer from pornography. Its central premise is that pornography addiction is a real thing, even if not officially recognized by some medical experts or sex-positive activist. Beyond the studies it discusses, both the ones that affirm its conclusion and don't, there is a heavy reliance on personal stories about addiction and recovery.
Some of the scientific explanations of body chemistry, similarities with other addictions, and the rise in sexual dysfunction in young men are eye-opening. At times the book feels like more of a self-help book than a discussion, and other times it delves too deeply in defending its premise. Even with these faults, it is worth reading for its target demographic (young men) or anyone interested in the subject....more
Part history book, part owner's manual- Bryson writes a fantastically entertaining and informative narrative. From head to toe, he discusses how the mPart history book, part owner's manual- Bryson writes a fantastically entertaining and informative narrative. From head to toe, he discusses how the machinery in each of us is set up, operates, and malfunctions. The stories behind the doctors that unlocked its secrets are wildly more scandalous and full of intrigue than one would assume. He makes sure to weave them into his account of each subject discussed. Written in a style that doesn't require the reader to recall past chapters or continuity, it's an easy read that will stay engaging. Highly recommend....more
Written by a former addict turned neuroscientist, the author uses her experience as a vehicle to explain the science of addiction. She makes a compellWritten by a former addict turned neuroscientist, the author uses her experience as a vehicle to explain the science of addiction. She makes a compelling case for those affected, and her first-hand view of the subject is poignant. The science is very dense and difficult to understand. However, it's not cumulative. Not understanding some parts will not make the rest of the book unreadable. The book has a strong start, but requires an effort on the reader's part to keep going, although worth it. I highly recommend to anyone interested in the science of addiction.
"The opposite of addiction, I have learned, is not sobriety but choice."...more
An interesting, albeit somewhat suspect, discussion on the topic of breathing. The author explores how breathing affects the development of the mouth/An interesting, albeit somewhat suspect, discussion on the topic of breathing. The author explores how breathing affects the development of the mouth/jaw, can cause or alleviate many chronic conditions (snoring, apnea, headaches), and improve athletic and mental ability.
He does this with anecdotes, self-sponsored studies, and interpretations of historical texts. Independent hard data is not the primary source of conclusions, but some are there. Additionally, the way the topics are presented makes breathing a panacea for all ailments (right up until the epilogue, where the author finally discusses its limits).
This is not to say that the book's conclusions do not have merit. This topic is one most readers will find value in and is worth exploring for those interested. Highly recommend to those who search for ways to improve body performance or those who have pulmonary issues. ...more
Well written, entertaining, and informative. The author has an excellent way of navigating through medical jargon and explaining concepts simply. He tWell written, entertaining, and informative. The author has an excellent way of navigating through medical jargon and explaining concepts simply. He takes pains to weave in historical significance and tangents that make the narrative engaging. This includes significant pharmaceutical contributions made by minorities and women, often ignored. Additionally, the narrator is slightly unreliable, which is usually a plot device in fictional stories. In this case, it is the author discovering and reforming ideas as he learns more about drugs and the industry. Highly recommend to all readers, except medical professionals; the cognitive dissonance caused by reading this would be too much for them....more
An extremely solid, well researched, and eye-opening analysis of bias in data collection with respect to women. Highly recommend to all readers, especAn extremely solid, well researched, and eye-opening analysis of bias in data collection with respect to women. Highly recommend to all readers, especially men, and even more so to leaders in any field (regardless of their sex). Criado-Pérez presents an onslaught of data clearly demonstrating inherent inequities in many spheres of life, all of which can easily be overcome by including women in the design and data collection process.
She highlights the issues with data that is currently available, as a lot of it is not gender-disaggregated or disregards female data points altogether. This is especially alarming in certain areas, such as drug trials, where subjects are almost exclusively male, leading to many issues with proper dosage and side-effects. Similarly, most automobile crash test dummies are only required to model the male body, disregarding both the average difference in size and seating posture for female drivers.
Attempts to fix inequality problems are also discussed, as some leaders will blindly "make thing equal" in a noble effort to make things better. This might seem like a perfect solution, but often the bias against women is actually increased by doing this; as men and women have different bodies and needs. Her example of how an organization trying to make things more equal by making all their bathrooms gender-neutral, only ended up significantly increasing average female wait times and slightly decreasing male wait times is an excellent illustration of this. Similarly, she explains how this "equalization" has happened in other fields, such as university tenure, job promotions, and paid maternity/paternity leave.
Finally, she addresses the technique of having women try to emulate the male standard to get ahead, "lean in" if you will. She explains how this is both futile for women in the long run, and detrimental to both the woman and the organization she is part of. Women should not be trying to emulate male behaviors to get ahead in a flawed system; the system is what needs to be fixed, not the women.
Definitely a worthwhile read or audiobook, and certainly epiphany invoking for at least 50% the population, including this male reader....more
Humans may not come with guidebooks on how to properly operate, but this book is the closest thing to a schematic or operations manual. Objectively grHumans may not come with guidebooks on how to properly operate, but this book is the closest thing to a schematic or operations manual. Objectively grounded in its explanations, carefully worded, and casual in its reasoning of incredibly complex behaviors, this is an accomplishment. It's almost sacrilegious to read something that, on the whole, explains so many of our actions using critical thought and data.
Reading this book might diminish the mystery and wonder of the human spirit for some, similar to when understanding how new technology works suddenly means it's no longer "magic." But this book gives more than it takes and is easily one of the better books on human psychology, evolution, neuroscience, etc. The way this book is written forces the reader to think syntopically, which is the highest level of reading/understanding/comprehension (IMO). It forces you to understand, even if you are unwilling. Highest recommendation for all readers willing to reassess their beliefs and ideas about how they think and behave. ...more
So it is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be put at risk even in a hundred battles
-Sun Tzu, The Art of War
That tire
So it is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be put at risk even in a hundred battles
-Sun Tzu, The Art of War
That tired quote seems particularly applicable to a book that's the biography of Cancer. I found myself engrossed in this audiobook, the author personifies cancer in a way that almost makes you feel sympathetic to it, but stark reminders about its ruthlessness snap you back to reality. This is in part a history book, science book, and anthology of first-hand cases by the author, but reads like a novel at times. The war against cancer is at the intersection of ethics, technology, and medicine, so a board number of people will find this book interesting. Highly recommend to all non-fiction consumers. ...more
It's rare to find a book that so eloquently covers so many diverse types of stories. From the science of cancer, the biography of Henrietta, the histoIt's rare to find a book that so eloquently covers so many diverse types of stories. From the science of cancer, the biography of Henrietta, the history of cell cloning, the abuses of racism, the ethics of medical research, and to the stories of everyone involved.
It's highly likely that Mrs. Lacks' cells played a role in most people's lives today (you), and their importance in research is indisputable. The story that comes along with those cells is worth the read (or listen, it's a great audiobook). ...more
I got this book because I've always checked the "organ donor" box on my driver's license, but recently started considering the "body donation" box. AfI got this book because I've always checked the "organ donor" box on my driver's license, but recently started considering the "body donation" box. After all, my body is just as useless to me as my organs are once I die, but just might be useful to somebody else. The book goes through the various ways cadavers have been obtained (donated, executed, stolen), used (transplant, research, crime solving) and disposed (burial, cremation, compost, preservation). I highly recommend anyone interested in tissue/organ/body donation to read the chapter on surgical use of cadavers and the chapter on crime/accident research. I recommend anyone planning on dying to read the chapters on decay and environmentally friendly alternates to cremation/burial. This is not a great book, but it has great chapters. Some of the chapters are relevant and really informative, then some of them are just trivial and filler (such as the chapters on cannibalism, spiritual/religious use of cadavers, and body snatching). If you are interested in being useful to society after you die, instead of being a burden, read this book (but skip chapters that you don't need to read). If you are not interested, don't read this book. The author takes a pragmatic approach to discussing the subject-matter, and often uses humor to keep the material interesting; many might find this offensive and off-putting; others, like myself, will enjoy it....more
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