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kingasek_'s review against another edition
5.0
A good book for getting into psychology with many memorable examples of how evolution has caused us to suffer with many psychological flaws so called 'brain bugs'. If your starting Psychology A Level or University would recommend.
fellrnr's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
A stunningly good review of the cognitive problems healthy humans have, along with an explanation of why these problems might have arisen, and some insight into overcoming them.
lyrareadsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
More of a 3.5. I listened to this as an audio book so I missed out on some of the relevant illustrations and visual games. Provided a solid overview of brain function and limitations. Nice use of research but at times the analogy of the brain as a faulty computer wore thin. Also the author interjected personal biases, but did not address them as a flawed system. He missed a golden opportunity to tackle his detractors while functioning within the scientific umbrella.
bootman's review against another edition
5.0
Our #1 flaw as humans is that we think we're rational creatures, and I'm not immune to this flaw either. This is why I regularly have a book in my rotation that reminds me of all of my "brain bugs". The author wrote a great book that gives a wide range of brain bugs we all have, and it doesn't get too sciency, so I think most people would enjoy it if you're interested in the subject. Some of the topics he covers include how our memory fails us, why we hold supernatural beliefs, why we suck at reasoning, and the book ends with some useful suggestions and tools for "debugging".
jrc2011's review against another edition
3.0
Took this one up as an audio book -- and I'm not sure what I expected, honestly. It's a very long review of existing knowledge with the author's own metaphors / examples and what passes as a sense of humor thrown in. Read the last chapter, skip the rest of the book if you've read any of the source material as the author cites heavily.
My key takeaway from this book was inspired by the last chapter where the author repeatedly discusses how certain patterns in human behavior can be traced back to the importance of successful reproduction. It got me thinking about dominant culture in the US and how "the holidays" really are not a general "celebration" -- but really a celebration of "the family" and conformity to those so-called ideals of shared family. People give lip service to "family" but in the long run - it's really about their own close family and single people are left out or actively excluded.
The author spent a lot more time on religion as a "brain bug" but surprisingly little time on the idea of romantic pair bonding or the "need" to have children as a brain bug. That might make an interesting follow-up.
My key takeaway from this book was inspired by the last chapter where the author repeatedly discusses how certain patterns in human behavior can be traced back to the importance of successful reproduction. It got me thinking about dominant culture in the US and how "the holidays" really are not a general "celebration" -- but really a celebration of "the family" and conformity to those so-called ideals of shared family. People give lip service to "family" but in the long run - it's really about their own close family and single people are left out or actively excluded.
The author spent a lot more time on religion as a "brain bug" but surprisingly little time on the idea of romantic pair bonding or the "need" to have children as a brain bug. That might make an interesting follow-up.
danicamidlil's review against another edition
4.0
Some chapters were better than others. Really fascinated by the Supernatural chapter.
pfeimeg's review against another edition
1.0
I have no clue what audience this book was written for. Because I had learned most of the points in my high school AP psychology class, I originally thought that it was written for people that are completely new to psychology. But then again, the text throws around terms that these people wouldn't know. For example, the author also goes off on tangents that assume a basic working knowledge of physiological psychology. Additionally, he oftentimes sounds very pretentious (e.g., when he says we are more likely to live in the Matrix than for God to exist). I doubt newbies to the field would enjoy that.
Finally, what's the deal with all of the missing end parentheses? I found one spelling typo and at least 4 missing ). That's such a strange thing to be missing several times.
Finally, what's the deal with all of the missing end parentheses? I found one spelling typo and at least 4 missing ). That's such a strange thing to be missing several times.
holodoxa's review against another edition
3.0
Brain Bugs from neuroscientist Dean Buonomano is basically a much improved version of Hidden Brain in addition to an exploration of the heuristics the human brain utilizes by default. It is unfortunately a bit outdated but less so because of scientific progress and more so out of a failure of much of the research cited here to replicate or generalize or mature. The book's focus and depth could also be improved upon - maybe Buonomano will complete an updated addition.