Altri libri che potrebbero interessarti

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  Self Comes to Mind -...

  Antonio Damasio

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  The arrival of neurons and their unique ability to transmit and receive messages was the radical break in the course of the human brain's evolution. This led to the development of the self. Neurons organize themselves in complex circuits and networks. Networks that serve to represent events occurring in the body, influence the function of other cells, even their own function. In this framework, the distinction between body and brain is blurred-the neurons that make up the brain and eventually generate the mind are body cells and are perpetually connected to the body. Neurons are the producers of mind states. The increasing complexity of the patterns in which neurons organize themselves is once the mystery and the clues to the myriad ways in which the brain operates, manages life, and controls human behavior-in ways that we are only beginning to understand. 
   
  The systems of neurons that govern life in the interior of a body-the process of homeostasis-are first assisted by reflex-like dispositions, eventually by images, which are the basic ingredient of minds. But the flexibility and creativity of the human mind do not emerge from images alone. They require images to create a protagonist; one's self that is capable of reflection. Once self comes to mind, the devices of reward and punishment, drives and motivations, and emotions, can be controlled by an autobiographical self. These devices, which have been present all along at earlier evolutionary stages, are now capable of personal reflection and deliberation. The reflective self uses expanded memory, language, and reasoning to create the very possibility of culture.

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  Houston We Have a Narrative -...

  Randy Olson

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  Ask a scientist about Hollywood, and you'll probably get eye rolls. But ask someone in Hollywood about science, and they'll see dollar signs: Moviemakers know that science can be the source of great stories, with all the drama and action that blockbusters require.That's a huge mistake, says Randy Olson: Hollywood has a lot to teach scientists about how to tell a story — and, ultimately, how to do science better. With Houston, We Have a Narrative, he lays out a stunningly simple method for turning the dull into the dramatic.Drawing on his unique background, which saw him leave his job as a working scientist to launch a career as a filmmaker, Olson first diagnoses the problem: When scientists tell us about their work, they pile one moment and one detail atop another moment and another detail — a stultifying procession of "and, and, and". What we need instead is an understanding of the basic elements of story, the narrative structures that our brains are all but hardwired to look for — which Olson boils down, brilliantly, to "And, But, Therefore", or ABT. At a stroke, the ABT approach introduces momentum ("And"), conflict ("But"), and resolution ("Therefore") — the fundamental building blocks of story.As Olson has demonstrated by leading countless workshops worldwide, when scientists' eyes are opened to ABT, the effect is staggering: Suddenly, they're not just talking about their work — they're telling stories about it. And audiences are captivated.Written with an uncommon verve and enthusiasm, and built on principles that are applicable to fields far beyond science, Houston, We Have a Narrative has the power to transform the way science is understood and appreciated, and ultimately how it's done.

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  The Big Pharma Conspiracy - The...

  Max Fitzer

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  Who is this big bad wolf known as Big Pharma? The name is repeatedly in the news but do you know exactly who they are? The term is a nickname bestowed upon the massive pharmaceutical companies frequently found on Forbes Fortune 500 list. The connotation of Big Pharma is definitely a negative one. Between the conspiracy theories and the reality of billions these companies earn in profits, it is hard for an average citizen to not feel adversely towards these megalithic beasts. 
  Before anyone can justifiably get behind the anti-Big Pharma train, it is critical to garner as much knowledge on who they are, what they do, and why. In order to make informed decisions and not just be another sheep following the pack, it is a necessary and responsible measure to understand exactly who the “enemy” is and how they grew into the giants they are today. Why do we use a harsh word like “enemy” to describe Big Pharma? Simply because they have been drugging Americans and the rest of citizens of the world into a coma in pursuit of big profits. That’s right Big Pharma gets greedier and greedier and their wallets grow fatter and fatter. While the top pharmaceutical companies only represent about 4% of the Fortune 500, the profit they bring in combined is more than the top 10 companies earn combined. The profit margins are wide, and the market share is deep for Big Pharma. 
  In his book entitled The Big Pharma Conspiracy: The Drugging Of America For Fast Profits author Max Fitzer will take you through the history of the largest companies, discussing the impact they have on society, our youth, disease, and the global economy. Not only will you have an extensive understanding of who the players are, but you will also learn how to contribute to the effort to bring them under control.

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  The Wasp That Brainwashed the...

  Matt Simon

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  The Wasp that Brainwashed the Caterpillar is an absurdist, comical romp through evolution's weirdest solutions to—appropriately enough—the hazards that evolution itself produces. Each original entry talks about a creature and its amazing adaptation, using Matt's signature blend of scientific accuracy and humor that has made his Wired column and accompanying web show so popular.  
  The creatures themselves are absolutely mind-blowing, with zombie ants mind-controlled by a fungus; beautiful salamanders that can regenerate any part of their bodies including their brains; the mantis shrimp, which fires its club-like appendage so fast that the surrounding water becomes as hot as the surface of the sun; the Antechinus, whose runaway testosterone levels cause them to have so much sex during their three-week mating session that they bleed internally, go blind, and drop dead; and many more.

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  Work in the Future - The...

  Robert Skidelsky, Nan Craig

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  This short, accessible book seeks to explore the future of work through the views and opinions of a range of expertise, encompassing economic, historical, technological, ethical, and anthropological aspects of the debate. The transition to an automated society brings with it new challenges and a consideration for what has happened in the past; the editors of this book carefully steer the listener through future possibilities and policy outcomes, all the while recognizing that while such a shift to a robotized society will be a gradual process, it is one that requires significant thought and consideration.

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  The Amazing Terrifying Future of...

  Jacob Appel

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  One Day University presents a series of audio lectures recorded in real-time from some of the top minds in the United States. Given by award-winning professors and experts in their field, these recorded lectures dive deep into the worlds of religion, government, literature, and social justice. The future of medicine is both amazing and terrifying. For the first time in human history, individual scientists and clinicians have the power to alter radically ways in which we live that were never before possible. Medical technology is advancing at unprecedented speeds—raising the prospect of personalized therapies and cures for diseases like cancer, but also concerns that legal standards and ethical norms have not kept pace with scientific "progress." This presentation explores some of the most exciting recent developments in medicine that promise to help us live longer, healthier, more fulfilling lives, ranging from novel reproductive technologies and cutting edge immunotherapies to the harvesting of "big data" and the implementation of new systems of information exchange. We will also address both the ethical challenges that arise when these technologies work as promised, such as who should pay for a drug that costs $1.25 million per dose, and what safeguards, if any, exist for keeping these technologies away from those whose rogue actions could cause irreparable damage to us all. This audio lecture includes a supplemental PDF.

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