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Neuro-Apocalypse
In the beginning was the Word, and an ear that heard, and a mind that discerned and recorded…Neuro-Apocalypse is about the veils arising in the course of cognition, and the revelations that cut them down. As the Word develops in the mouths of newborns, frameworks of thought are established in language and culture. They influence how we perceive the world, and how we internally represent it.Looking beyond the web of words, Nemu explores savant skills emerging in autism and trans-cranial magnetic stimulation, the wit in the tics of Tourette’s and the super-strength of people in life-threatening situations. Synaesthesia and other extraordinary experiences are described in the Bible, alongside a stash of psychoactive agents and instructions on how to use them. What can the characters and techniques of this ancient legend reveal about managing our compulsions, aspirations and inspirations, the gods at work in our heads?
- GenresSpirituality
370 pages, Paperback
Published February 15, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 30, 2018
This is the second book in the Nemu’s Ends series. I haven’t read the first, Science Revealed, yet, but it would seem that the order isn’t too important.
In short, this book is a delight. It reminds me of the feeling I got when I read Robert Anton Wilson for the first time: dazzled, amused, and awakened. Although there is a focus on the Bible, Neuro-Apocalypse is no lesson in organised religion. This is a book about language, perception, cognition and revelation; the Bible passages are merely an illustration of what we take for granted as truth.
In the beginning, did God create or was God created in the head? Who defined good and evil? Does the snake really represent temptation, or a reality check? Oh, and did you know there were psychedelic drugs in the Bible?
There are many fascinating insights into the workings of the brain here, too. Nemu explains in simple language, with relatable examples, what different parts of our most precious organ are responsible for, and what happens to our perception when they stop functioning normally. With discussions on altered states of consciousness and psychosis, and case studies on Savant and Tourette’s Syndromes, it becomes obvious that ‘normal’ is only a matter of perspective. There is also some discussion on the way evolution has affected the brain and what remains of our roots.
All things considered, this is a profound yet entertaining book. It left me contemplating what might be lost in the gaps between things ‘in themselves’ and our names for them, and whether the translators of the Bible did a massive disservice to the intentions behind Christianity.
For most of the time I spent reading this book, I had a pen in my hand. There were so many useful nuggets of information I had to write down there and then, which will inform my own writing and perception of the world from now on. I am positive that, as with the Bible, every reader will absorb it in their own way and take what they need from it.
In short, this book is a delight. It reminds me of the feeling I got when I read Robert Anton Wilson for the first time: dazzled, amused, and awakened. Although there is a focus on the Bible, Neuro-Apocalypse is no lesson in organised religion. This is a book about language, perception, cognition and revelation; the Bible passages are merely an illustration of what we take for granted as truth.
In the beginning, did God create or was God created in the head? Who defined good and evil? Does the snake really represent temptation, or a reality check? Oh, and did you know there were psychedelic drugs in the Bible?
There are many fascinating insights into the workings of the brain here, too. Nemu explains in simple language, with relatable examples, what different parts of our most precious organ are responsible for, and what happens to our perception when they stop functioning normally. With discussions on altered states of consciousness and psychosis, and case studies on Savant and Tourette’s Syndromes, it becomes obvious that ‘normal’ is only a matter of perspective. There is also some discussion on the way evolution has affected the brain and what remains of our roots.
All things considered, this is a profound yet entertaining book. It left me contemplating what might be lost in the gaps between things ‘in themselves’ and our names for them, and whether the translators of the Bible did a massive disservice to the intentions behind Christianity.
For most of the time I spent reading this book, I had a pen in my hand. There were so many useful nuggets of information I had to write down there and then, which will inform my own writing and perception of the world from now on. I am positive that, as with the Bible, every reader will absorb it in their own way and take what they need from it.
August 25, 2018
Neuro-Apocalpyse is a truly extraordinary book. It is exceptionally well-written, and its flow brings together diverse fields - neurology, linguistics, hermeneutics, narcotics and politics - in a heady brew of neological innovation: it’s theo-biology, or onto-fluidity, or (a)narc(h)o-narrative, or something. It’s difficult to describe a category of book you’ve never read before.
Danny Nemu is an irreverent Reverend who has written an account of the Bible from outside all the normal conventions of biblical studies. It’s not even a book about the Bible, as such; it’s about the brain, and meaning, and how humans have come to make more of it in unusual ways. However, it’s structured around the biblical narrative, and as a sort-of biblical scholar I found it intensely engaging. Laugh-out-loud funny in parts, and profoundly original in others, it kept me hooked throughout.
Rev Nemu takes the reader on a journey into the philosophy of language and how the brain constructs meaning, via all kinds of fascinating examples of non-neurotypical processing. Reading the opening chapters of Genesis as an account of human neurological evolution, he then explores a startlingly nuanced reading of the ‘gods’ that shape human psychology and social consciousness. Leaping from psychoactive drugs to ancient law-codes, he weaves a story of both possibility and oppression, anarchy and control.
This is a book that plunges into ancient depths to discover contemporary treasures. It has forced me to think more deeply about a number of things. Most importantly for me, it’s offered a new way to read an old story, which is full of creativity and life.
It’s well-researched with extensive footnotes, but it is not an academic text. It’s a very accessible text for lay-readers from various fields who are willing to do the most human thing of all, and question everything.
Danny Nemu is an irreverent Reverend who has written an account of the Bible from outside all the normal conventions of biblical studies. It’s not even a book about the Bible, as such; it’s about the brain, and meaning, and how humans have come to make more of it in unusual ways. However, it’s structured around the biblical narrative, and as a sort-of biblical scholar I found it intensely engaging. Laugh-out-loud funny in parts, and profoundly original in others, it kept me hooked throughout.
Rev Nemu takes the reader on a journey into the philosophy of language and how the brain constructs meaning, via all kinds of fascinating examples of non-neurotypical processing. Reading the opening chapters of Genesis as an account of human neurological evolution, he then explores a startlingly nuanced reading of the ‘gods’ that shape human psychology and social consciousness. Leaping from psychoactive drugs to ancient law-codes, he weaves a story of both possibility and oppression, anarchy and control.
This is a book that plunges into ancient depths to discover contemporary treasures. It has forced me to think more deeply about a number of things. Most importantly for me, it’s offered a new way to read an old story, which is full of creativity and life.
It’s well-researched with extensive footnotes, but it is not an academic text. It’s a very accessible text for lay-readers from various fields who are willing to do the most human thing of all, and question everything.
December 10, 2017
Fascinating linguistic analysis of the Bible with detailed discussion of how interpretations were influenced; by politics, by religious bias, by religious authorities maintaining power, by efforts to limit access, by cultural context of the translators, and by all the changes across passing centuries.
I have a much better understanding now of the disagreements behind many religious schisms.
Biblical scripture is far more ambiguous than I ever realized.
Once again I’ve discovered that I don’t know anything about a subject I thought I knew pretty well.
I can hardly wait to read the next book from this author.
I have a much better understanding now of the disagreements behind many religious schisms.
Biblical scripture is far more ambiguous than I ever realized.
Once again I’ve discovered that I don’t know anything about a subject I thought I knew pretty well.
I can hardly wait to read the next book from this author.
December 16, 2020
Wow. What a trip!
I’m not sure how someone who is unfamiliar with Hebrew will grok this poetic-learned-rant, but I sure liked the ride. Mind opening and complaining.
I’m not sure how someone who is unfamiliar with Hebrew will grok this poetic-learned-rant, but I sure liked the ride. Mind opening and complaining.
July 20, 2020
Sometimes books don't get the publicity they deserve. I feel like this is one of these books. Neuro-Apocalypse is excellently written and sheds light on our society, psychology and behavior through the prism of language and an analysis of old religious texts. In a way you probably haven't look at it before. It challenges our 'normal' and makes you pause and question your culturally ingrained assumptions. Above all, it's also a delight to read - witty and almost poetic. Every bit as good and better as the more mainstream non-fiction books like Sapiens. Give it a shot, you're in for a treat.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews