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The Scientific American Brave New Brain: How Neuroscience, Brain-Machine Interfaces, Neuroimaging, Psychopharmacology, Epigenetics, the Internet, and ... and Enhancing the Future of Mental Power
This fascinating and highly accessible book presents fantastic but totally feasible projections of what your brain may be capable of in the near future. It shows how scientific breakthroughs and amazing research are turning science fiction into science fact. In this brave new book, you'll How partnerships between biological sciences and technology are helping the deaf hear, the blind see, and the paralyzed communicate.How our brains can repair and improve themselves, erase traumatic memoriesHow we can stay mentally alert longerâ and how we may be able to halt or even reverse AlzheimersHow we can control technology with brain waves, including prosthetic devices, machinery, computersâ and even spaceships or clones.Insights into how science may cure fatal diseases, and improve our intellectual and physical productivityJudith Horstman presents a highly informative and entertaining look at the future of your brain, based on articles from Scientific American and Scientific American Mind magazines, and the work of todayâ s visionary neuroscientists.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published February 22, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 1, 2020
This is just a short popular-science book full of the basics of neuroscience and a lot predictions about the future based on early research and science fiction imagination. Nothing amazing here, but a pleasant quick read.
December 3, 2024
Just kind of feels like a sensationalist news article that goes on for hours. Lacks explanation and I didn't really learn anything new.
June 13, 2012
The Scientific American Brave New Brain: How Neuroscience, Brain-Machine Interfaces, Neuroimaging, Psychopharmacology, Epigenetics, the Internet, and ... and Enhancing the Future of Mental Power by Judith Horstman
“The Scientific American Brave New Brain" is a book based on many brain science articles on how many advances in research and technology are changing our brains today and the future. Award-winning journalist, Judith Horstman takes the reader on a journey of brain science; what was yesterday’s science fiction is today’s science. This brief 208-page book is composed of the following ten chapters: 1. Your Changeable Brain, 2. Boosting Your Brain Power, 3. Manipulating Your Memory, 4. Digital You, 5. Looking Inside Your Brain The Magic of Neuroimaging, Rewiring the Brain Electric, 7. The Bionic Brain, 8. The Possible Dreams, 9. Neuroethics, and 10. The Past Is Prologue.
Positives:
1. Popular science book for the masses. Well-written and engaging.
2. Fascinating topic and articles to match.
3. Great overall format that provides readers with an appetizer of what to expect,” in brief”, and ends chapter with a futuristic summary.
4. Great use of popular culture like sci-fi movies to convey scientific concepts.
5. Sets the right tone by providing a good refresher on how the brain works. An excellent overview of what we thought then, what we know now, and what we will know tomorrow.
6. This book really gets you up to date with all the latest findings regarding the brain; as an example neuroplasticity. Some of the research is breathtaking.
7. The impact of epigenetics…the changes in your genes.
8. The benefits of meditation and exercise to the brain. Six drug-free ways to boost your brain.
9. How memories work and an interesting narrative of mental illnesses and in some cases bizarre treatments.
10. The digital brain. Will computer chips in your brain replace cell phones?
11. The impact of new brain technology. The tools for looking inside the brain and how an MRI works. The limitations and potential. The five flaws of brain scans.
12. The ways neurons communicate with one another. Electric stuff.
13. The reality of bionic brains. Bionic brain research today. And an interesting section on giving sight to the blind. Artificial intelligence. The future looks amazing.
14. Nanomedicine, the future of medicine. The future of stem cells.
15. The dark side of science…Neuroethics.
16. The future of neuroscience.
17. Sources provided and a helpful glossary was included.
Negatives:
1. Too short. The book according to my Kindle is only 142 pages when you take out the supplemental material.
2. No kindle links.
3. Lacks the depth of other popular science books of the same ilk.
In summary, I enjoyed this brief book. It’s a great appetizer for those interested in the brain. Judith Hortsman succeeds in whetting our appetites and provides a number of fascinating articles that cover a wide spectrum of fascinating topics. The only major negative of this book is that it’s too short and lacks the depth of other comparable books in the genre. That being said, it’s an excellent popular science book for the masses. I recommend it.
Further suggestions: “Physics of the Future” by Michio Kaku, “Subliminal” by Leonard Mlodinow, "The Believing Brain: From Ghosts and Gods to Politics and Conspiracies---How We Construct Beliefs and Reinforce Them as Truths..." by Michael Shermer, “The Belief Instinct” by Jesse Bering, “Brain Cuttings” by Carl Zimmer, "The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature" by Steven Pinker, “Who’s in Charge?” and "Human: The Science Behind What Makes Us Unique, by Michael S. Gazzaniga, "Hardwired Behavior: What Neuroscience Reveals about Morality" by Laurence Tancredi, "Braintrust: What Neuroscience Tells Us about Morality" by Patricia S. Churchland, “Paranormality” by Richard Wiseman, and "The Brain and the Meaning of Life" by Paul Thagard.
“The Scientific American Brave New Brain" is a book based on many brain science articles on how many advances in research and technology are changing our brains today and the future. Award-winning journalist, Judith Horstman takes the reader on a journey of brain science; what was yesterday’s science fiction is today’s science. This brief 208-page book is composed of the following ten chapters: 1. Your Changeable Brain, 2. Boosting Your Brain Power, 3. Manipulating Your Memory, 4. Digital You, 5. Looking Inside Your Brain The Magic of Neuroimaging, Rewiring the Brain Electric, 7. The Bionic Brain, 8. The Possible Dreams, 9. Neuroethics, and 10. The Past Is Prologue.
Positives:
1. Popular science book for the masses. Well-written and engaging.
2. Fascinating topic and articles to match.
3. Great overall format that provides readers with an appetizer of what to expect,” in brief”, and ends chapter with a futuristic summary.
4. Great use of popular culture like sci-fi movies to convey scientific concepts.
5. Sets the right tone by providing a good refresher on how the brain works. An excellent overview of what we thought then, what we know now, and what we will know tomorrow.
6. This book really gets you up to date with all the latest findings regarding the brain; as an example neuroplasticity. Some of the research is breathtaking.
7. The impact of epigenetics…the changes in your genes.
8. The benefits of meditation and exercise to the brain. Six drug-free ways to boost your brain.
9. How memories work and an interesting narrative of mental illnesses and in some cases bizarre treatments.
10. The digital brain. Will computer chips in your brain replace cell phones?
11. The impact of new brain technology. The tools for looking inside the brain and how an MRI works. The limitations and potential. The five flaws of brain scans.
12. The ways neurons communicate with one another. Electric stuff.
13. The reality of bionic brains. Bionic brain research today. And an interesting section on giving sight to the blind. Artificial intelligence. The future looks amazing.
14. Nanomedicine, the future of medicine. The future of stem cells.
15. The dark side of science…Neuroethics.
16. The future of neuroscience.
17. Sources provided and a helpful glossary was included.
Negatives:
1. Too short. The book according to my Kindle is only 142 pages when you take out the supplemental material.
2. No kindle links.
3. Lacks the depth of other popular science books of the same ilk.
In summary, I enjoyed this brief book. It’s a great appetizer for those interested in the brain. Judith Hortsman succeeds in whetting our appetites and provides a number of fascinating articles that cover a wide spectrum of fascinating topics. The only major negative of this book is that it’s too short and lacks the depth of other comparable books in the genre. That being said, it’s an excellent popular science book for the masses. I recommend it.
Further suggestions: “Physics of the Future” by Michio Kaku, “Subliminal” by Leonard Mlodinow, "The Believing Brain: From Ghosts and Gods to Politics and Conspiracies---How We Construct Beliefs and Reinforce Them as Truths..." by Michael Shermer, “The Belief Instinct” by Jesse Bering, “Brain Cuttings” by Carl Zimmer, "The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature" by Steven Pinker, “Who’s in Charge?” and "Human: The Science Behind What Makes Us Unique, by Michael S. Gazzaniga, "Hardwired Behavior: What Neuroscience Reveals about Morality" by Laurence Tancredi, "Braintrust: What Neuroscience Tells Us about Morality" by Patricia S. Churchland, “Paranormality” by Richard Wiseman, and "The Brain and the Meaning of Life" by Paul Thagard.
March 8, 2012
*Candy for brain nerds*
Oh, what a fun book this is! (Well, fun if you too are a brain nerd who just can't learn enough about the powers, puzzles, pitfalls, and potential of the human brain.)
The book covers a wide range of fascinating topics including: neurogenesis, neuroplasticity, epigenetics, improving brain power and memory, the effects of digital culture on brains, neuroimaging, rewiring the brain, the merging of brain and machines, stem cells, gene therapy, and nanotechnology, and neuroethics. Judith's writing is superb: she has quite the gift for conveying complex science concepts in a style that is both clear and captivating--and funny at times too. Her skillful writing allows for wrapping your brain around this information to be a simultaneously educational and entertaining experience.
A tour of brain science (past, present, and future) has never been so exhilarating. Enjoy the ride!
Oh, what a fun book this is! (Well, fun if you too are a brain nerd who just can't learn enough about the powers, puzzles, pitfalls, and potential of the human brain.)
The book covers a wide range of fascinating topics including: neurogenesis, neuroplasticity, epigenetics, improving brain power and memory, the effects of digital culture on brains, neuroimaging, rewiring the brain, the merging of brain and machines, stem cells, gene therapy, and nanotechnology, and neuroethics. Judith's writing is superb: she has quite the gift for conveying complex science concepts in a style that is both clear and captivating--and funny at times too. Her skillful writing allows for wrapping your brain around this information to be a simultaneously educational and entertaining experience.
A tour of brain science (past, present, and future) has never been so exhilarating. Enjoy the ride!
September 7, 2012
I do love books on the brain and found this one especially tasty when I read it a couple of years ago. I own the book, but will rely on my notes for this review. The author anticipates great changes like digital devices to improve memory and nano-bots to repair brain damage. Found what she had to say on how the internet effects brains pretty interesting, especially that it boosts cognition in older adults. (Yay!) And then she presented a Dutch study suggesting that elders who use the internet and those who did not have no difference in cognitive function. Bummer. What a bunch of pessimists.
Anyone younger than a boomer can expect to see some amazing things in their lifetimes. Regretfully that does not include me, but I still enjoyed this book enormously.
Anyone younger than a boomer can expect to see some amazing things in their lifetimes. Regretfully that does not include me, but I still enjoyed this book enormously.
June 21, 2010
An absolutely fascinating book outlining basic neuroscience and emerging technology. The author does a wonderful job of simplifying many complex concepts and showing the applications of modern research to brain diseases and everyday life. Full of cool facts and discoveries, like the existence of a brain pacemaker that stops tremors in Parkinson's patients with the flip of a switch. Highly recommended.
August 20, 2013
Really interesting book - it's already three years old, but it still amazed me to learn what's at the forefront of neuroscience. It covers so many topics. I'm interested in brain-machine interfaces, brain implants, gene therapy, and medical ethics - all of which the book touched on the "then, now, and tomorrow" of each of those concepts. The book got my feet wet in the field of neuroscience and got me excited to keep learning more.
January 23, 2011
This book covers a lot of material in an easy to read short book. This book is a very basic primer-a good book for a Freshman high school course or someone who has just not had time or any interest to even skim the newspapers or PBS to learn anything about the brain.
April 4, 2011
Good summary of the status of the field.
Currently Reading
May 10, 2011- available in SG NLB 612.82 (Sengkang)
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January 20, 2015Very interesting book for those interested in neuroscience
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews