The Brain: The Story of You

Wonderful book that talked about the Miracls of the brain in a very simple interesting way.

Excelente libro me encantó como el autor explica el desarrollo de nuestras neuronas, gracias a eso eh podido entender más nuestro proceso de aprendizaje.

The book is simply and elegantly written and eminently readable. But apart from the author's charisma in writing there is wisdom in the layout and structure of the book which results in such an unimpeded flow of the text; apart from several simple illustrations there is nothing in the text to distract your attention. But unbeknownst to the reader, at the end of the book there are End notes which provide additional information and references; also a glossary. In the body of the text there are boxes which elaborate on points raised in the text. Finally at the beginning of the six chapters comprising the book, each featuring a trait of the human brain, there is a text highlighting the essence of the ensuing chapter. Our brain weighing roughly 1400 g - apparently the most complex structure in the known universe - a dense tangle of billions of cells and trillions of connections is what makes us human. One of the remarkable traits of the human brain is its plasticity. Humans are born with their brains unfinished with the result that we are helpless and totally dependent on those around us for many years. By contrast baby animals develop quickly because their brains are wiring up according to a largely p reprogrammed routine. But that preparedness trades off with flexibility which enables humans to thrive in many different environments. Instead of arriving with everything wired up - hardwired - a human brain allows itself to be shaped by the details of life experience. All the experiences of our life shape the microscopic details of our brain. Our brain constantly re writes its own circuitry and since our experiences are unique, so are the vast, detailed patterns in our neural networks. Because they continue to change during our whole life, our identity is a moving target. I imagine that many of us have pondered as to whether we perceive physical reality or reality is something reconstructed in our brain. Well, it is very much the latter. Outside our brain is just energy and matter. Over millions of years of evolution the human brain has become adept at turning this energy and matter into a rich sensory experience of being in the world. Our brain has no access to the world outside. There is only one way that information from out there gets into the brain. Our sensory organs - eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and skin - act as interpreters. They detect a spectrum of information sources (photons, air compression waves, molecular concentrations, pressure, texture, temperature) and translate them into the common currency of the brain namely signals. I shall conclude this part with Synesthesia for which the author has written a whole book. Synesthesia is a condition in which senses are blended e.g they perceive sounds as colors. I imagine that most of us do not realize the enormous power of the unconscious brain. The universe inside our heads extends far beyond the reach of our conscious experience. At every moment in our life, networks in our brain are buzzing with activity. Our life is shaped and colored by what is happening in the subconscious part of our brain: how we act, what matters to us, what we believe is true and false. Our experience is the final output of these hidden processes. It is the power of the unconscious brain that flawlessly orchestrates our movements ( walking, riding, bicycling etc). Between sleep and being awake, the biological material in the brain is the same but the activity patterns slightly change. Being awake (and conscious) we are aware of an identity, a life, needs, desires, plans. Consciousness reacts to surprises but also plays a vital role in settling conflicts within the brain. Consciousness makes plans and sets goals for the system as a whole. Humans do not simply have social needs, they are hardwired to be social creatures. Normal brain function depends on the social web around us. Our neurons require other people's neurons to thrive and survive. From our families, co-workers, and business partners, our societies are built on layers of social interaction. The world around us is a large part of who we are, the self does not exist in a vacuum. Finally, we are at a moment in human history when the marriage of our biology and our technology will transcend the brain's limitations . This is poised to fundamentally change what it will mean to be human.

Ho comprato questo libro dopo aver visto il documentario composto da 6 episodi dello stesso autore del libro ovvero David Eagleman. Cosi come mi ha piacevolmente stupito il documentario cosi mi ha stupito anche il libro . Presenta in maniera molto chiara con esempi molto interessanti il funzionamento del nostro cervello e devo dire che le informazioni scritte in questo libro non sono assolutamente banali e già note a tutti . Il libro presenta in maniera sintetica i frutti degli ultimi 10-13 anni di ricerca di D. Eagleman. Nel libro vengono considerati argomenti come la plasticità del nostro cervello, come fa il cervello ad adattarsi all'ambiente circostante, come fa a percepire la realtà che ci circonda , cosa noi siamo in relazione al nostro modo di pensare e infine come la tecnologia cambierà in futuro noi stessi in relazione ai cambiamenti ai quali il cervello va incontro. Lo consiglio a tutte le persone affascinate del nostro cervello , del nostro modo di pensare.Inoltre a chi è interessato consiglio anche di comprare i cd del documentario collegato in quanto tale documentario permette di avere una visione migliore delle cose spiegate nel libro grazie alle animazioni molto belle e alla chiarezza espositiva.

This book doesn't just explain how the brain works—it challenges the way you think about who you are as an individual with conciousness and awareness. Each chapter dives into a core question that will make you keep reflecting the rest of your day. Great read!

Really interesting book. Filled with cool facts and the author’s own insights, and leaves you thinking about the complexity of the human brain.