Telling Lies
Feb 25, 2010 Learning and Knowledge, Science and Technology, Self Help & Personal Training, Specialist Subjects
If, like me, you’re tired of hearing complete rubbish about how someone touching an ear, scratching their leg, making eye contact or not making eye contact are apparently sure-fire ways to tell that they are lying, this book will come as a welcome relief.
In Telling Lies, Paul Ekman discusses what possible indicators you can look out for to spot emotional states that can suggest lying, as well as explaining some of the different types of deception that we all practice, and why we do it. He also introduces the idea of microexpressions, those little tics that give away how we’re really feeling – if this sounds familiar to those of you who watch “Lie To Me,” that’s because Cal Lightman was pretty much based on Paul Ekman.
Amazon UK link – used only
Amazon.com link
Paul Ekman’s official site
The Ancestor’s Tale
Feb 22, 2010 Learning and Knowledge, Science and Technology
Before Richard Dawkins was famous for his open atheism, he was primarily known as a brilliant science writer (and still is – see our review on The Greatest Show On Earth for our take on his most recent work).
When most people picture a book on evolutionary biology, they don’t imagine an epic pilgrimage that spans the entire world and billions of years. Nor do they imagine an ever-growing cast of storytelling co-travellers, each with its own dramatic tale of a journey from the beginning of life itself into the modern world. This is what Richard Dawkins has created, and while it’s based purely on hard science, it is every bit as magical, as moving and as full of wonder as Lord of the Rings.
After reading this book, it’s hard to look at any living thing in the same way ever again, from blue whales to bacteria.
Quirkology
Feb 19, 2010 Comedy, Learning and Knowledge, Science and Technology, Self Help & Personal Training, Skeptical books
If I were to ask you whether you would rather wear a sweater covered in dog feces, or a nice, clean one previously worn by a horrific mass murderer, what would you answer (other than “is there something wrong with you”)?
How about if I were to offer evidence that your starsign CAN reflect your personality in some way – but not because the constellations themselves have made any difference whatsoever?
Quirkology uses psychology, scientific studies and a liberal splash of humour to reveal some of the strangest, most unlikely things that effect us in ways that seem completely counter-intuitive and breathtakingly unlikely, as well as the methodology for what might be some of the oddest studies of all time.
Quirkology remains the most outstanding, most hilarious psychology book I have ever read. I suggest you read it, too.
Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth and Happiness
Feb 16, 2010 Learning and Knowledge, Philosophy & Thinking, Self Help & Personal Training
This is one of the many books I’ve reviewed that focusses on irrational behaviour and its causes. Two things in particular stand out about this one:
1. It focusses on the economic repercussions of irrational choices, both for the individual, companies and the entirely of society
2. It advocates, and outlines, ways to structure options to gently steer people towards choices that clearly give more net benefits, while ensuring that all other choices are still open to them – having organ donations opt-out instead of opt-in, for example.
Some may find this idea a little bit controlling for their taste, but as the authors point out, “choice architecture” already exists – private companies in particular can, and do, nudge us towards choices that may not be the best for us. The authors argue that their own ideas of choice architecture simply work to redress the balance. Check it out, and tell me if you agree with them in the comments.
Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior
Jan 24, 2010 Learning and Knowledge, Philosophy & Thinking, Self Help & Personal Training, Skeptical books
This fun book leans towards irrationality in economics and politics, presenting examples of poorly thought-out decisions and then using science to explain the psychological mechanisms behind them. Probably the most interesting section looks at en masse diagnosis of bipolar disorder, why it became such a common diagnosis, and the effects that such a diagnosis can have on a developing child.
It’s not a thick book, and if you’ve read several things in the same sort of area then you might feel a little cheated to find it repeats information you already know. On the other hand, if you want a light refresher or you’re just delving into this area, this is a good one to pick up.
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
Jan 13, 2010 Learning and Knowledge, Philosophy & Thinking, Self Help & Personal Training
This book is a massive eye-opener. It explains the fundamental mechanisms behind suggestion and influence as used in sales tactics and to establish authority. This is a far cry form those cheesy NLP-style influence technique books, and Cialdini makes no assertions that he cannot back up through scientific research and experimentation, unlike some of the cringeworthy trash out there. It’s not at all dry, though, and the author’s self-deprecating humour lightens the mood of the entire book.
Synopsis: “Influence”, the classic book on persuasion, explains the psychology of why people say “yes” – and how to apply these understandings. Dr. Robert Cialdini is the seminal expert in the rapidly expanding field of influence and persuasion. His thirty-five years of rigorous, evidence-based research along with a three-year program of study on what moves people to change behavior has resulted in this highly acclaimed book. You’ll learn the six universal principles, how to use them to become a skilled persuader – and how to defend yourself against them. Perfect for people in all walks of life, the principles of “Influence” will move you toward profound personal change and act as a driving force for your success.
Guerrilla Reading – What Former Revolutionaries Tell Us About The Neuroscience Of Reading
Dec 2, 2009 General, Learning and Knowledge, Science and Technology
In the 1990s, Colombia reintegrated five left-wing guerrilla groups back into mainstream society after decades of conflict. Education was a big priority – many of the guerrillas had spent their entire lives fighting and were more familiar with the grasp of a gun than a pencil. Reintegration offered them the chance to learn to read and write for the first time in their lives, but it also offered Manuel Carreiras a chance to study what happens in the human brain as we become literate.
Full article at Not Exactly Rocket Science
The Golden Bough: Free Download
Dec 1, 2009 History, Learning and Knowledge, Religion and Ethics
A ground-breaking study of disparate cultures across the globe, comparing practices and beliefs from the external soul in folktales to the resurrection of god-figures in an attempt to find out if there are elements common to all human cultures. It was first published in 1890, and the tone reflects this – the author’s attitude towards his subjects can be downright insulting at times, and they are frequently referred to as “primitives.” Frazer’s idea of cultural evolution, with civilisations naturally emerging from a child-like belief in magic to gradually embrace the scientific method, may be a little simplistic, and some of his research methods have been heavily criticised. However, this remains a classic work of comparative cultural anthropology and was absolutely pioneering for its time, and is still an eye-opening insight into the nature of belief and the many forms it takes.
A Short History of Nearly Everything
Nov 29, 2009 Learning and Knowledge, Science and Technology
Anyone who needs to improve their overall understanding of the history of science, or just wants to read an incredibly witty, human account of the trials and tribulations of usually dry-sounding scientists in ages past, needs this book. It literally is a short history of nearly everything, from explanations of how we’ve learned about the echoes of the Big Bang to feuds over dinosaurs to where we are today, told with Bill Bryson’s dry humour.
Synopsis: From primordial nothingness to this very moment, A Short History of Nearly Everything reports what happened and how humans figured it out. To accomplish this daunting literary task, Bill Bryson uses hundreds of sources, from popular science books to interviews with luminaries in various fields. His aim is to help people like him, who rejected stale school textbooks and dry explanations, to appreciate how we have used science to understand the smallest particles and the unimaginably vast expanses of space.
The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution
Nov 14, 2009 Learning and Knowledge, Religion and Ethics, Skeptical books, Specialist Subjects
Dawkins has always had a voice in the media but more recently this has been amplified by his struggle against religious idealism. His recent documentaries also called in to question the pseudo-science and hocus-pocus involved in alternative therapy. But it’s easy to forget that Richard Dawkins is also one of the leading minds in evolutionary theory.
Many who fall in to the trap of talking about “Darwinism” as a sort of religious stand point will probably feel that “Dawkinism” is only around the corner. But the the clear and unquestionable evidence that piles up so incredible high in favour of evolutionary theory relates in no way to any religious debate. If you question evolution you may as well question Newtons laws of motion – you’re on rocky territory.
Darwin is arguably the greatest scientist of all time, in a 2005 BBC poll of scientists from around the world he came first by quite a stretch, he was also voted one of the top 5 greatest Britons. Charles Dickens lost his place on the £10 to the man and Richard Owen, the founder of the Natural History, lost pride of place in the great hall to a larger and considerably heavier statue of Darwin.
So it’s unusual to find that of all the scientists you would look to argue with the theories of this one. Even the Church of England finally admitted defeat, albeit over 120 years late officially stating that they we’re wrong to criticise his theories.
The Origin of the Species struggled throughout it’s multiple releases. Painstakingly researched at a time when sea travel was the norm, reworked 4 times and released in 1859, Darwin had no easy task. Initially he was worried about it’s release and after delays and initial worries it was finally put out without a huge fanfare. And yet despite this it has become a cornerstone of scientific understanding.
The Greatest Show on Earth is probably the only book that could ever accompany The Origin of the Species in equalled proportion. It’s fantastically well written and highly enjoyable. Simplifying such an enormous topic has I’m sure been incredibly hard, but Dawkin’s intellect and insight shines through, his writing style is upbeat and energetic but moves just at the right pace.
From it’s opening chapter about the “history deniers” to the final chapter based on The Origin of the Species itself. Every page offers insight, understanding and results in a truly simplified reworking of complex and challenging theories. And in doing so it in no way dilutes the message. It’s easy to forget that Dawkins the religious critic is also a brilliant and well spoken scientist. Consequently this is also one of the most powerful arguments against the Intelligent Design camp without falling in to the slippery slope argument by questioning the existence of supernatural beings.
Top of the Amazon, Sunday Times and countless other best seller lists if you don’t own a copy of this I thoroughly recommend it. It’s available in several versions from hardcover to audio book and I’m sure it will be reprinted and redistributed for a long time to come. I have read most of Dawkins’ books, The selfish gene is probably his most ground breaking and The God Delusion his most famous release, but now I consider The Greatest Show on Earth to quite firmly replace both of those despite only being available for a few months.
