JMC

SAD

Revisado: 01-17-20

This is the perfect book for someone who wants to hear Sedaris joke about his sister's suicide and his mother's drinking problems.

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not worth 30 minutes

Revisado: 08-13-19

Pink's whole thesis can be conveyed in about two paragraphs. It is not worth 30 minutes much less 6 hours. Review by a night owl.

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Fascinating work

Revisado: 06-20-19

This is a completely enthralling and fascinating work. Such richness in cultural, historical, scientific and philosophical detail. You will discover here stories and tales, arguments and counter-arguments that you cannot encounter elsewhere. Never another time like this period of ferment. Well presented by Patterson also.

Audible needs to add a PDF bibliography or source reference file to the work.

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A Vital Book

Revisado: 05-21-17

If you could sum up The Vital Question in three words, what would they be?

Evolution is amazing

What did you like best about this story?

Nick Lane introduces us to cellular biology and evolution -- biophysics -- in ways that astound. His depth of knowledge, and his commitment to drive to fundamental mechanisms leaves little escape from the broad conclusions he drives to. The exposition is clear; you do not get lost; you do not want to stop.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes. When i finished, I wanted more. So... I immediately ordered Nick Lane's other books. I can now say, they are all excellent.

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The BEST on Consciousness that you will find

Revisado: 05-21-17

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

100% positive recommendation.

This is a thorough, top-to-bottom discussion of consciousness, the sub-conscious, the self-conscious and the underlying causal mechanisms of our brain. Yes, some of the examples (of the component mechanisms of sight, or brain injury impact to conscious awareness) are now familiar in the literature, but Dehaene weaves them into his narrative in ways that support the development of his argument for the neural workspace and long-distance inter-regional feedback. Fascinating material! Tempered with due consideration as to the limits of current neurological, physiological and medical knowledge.

His final chapter, where he reflects on some of the wider implications of the preceding chapters, puts to shame most contemporary philosophical discussions of mind, brain and consciousness. It is surely one of the best discussions on these topics that you will find.

What other book might you compare Consciousness and the Brain to and why?

Eagleman's work comes close.

What does David Drummond bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Excellent presentation

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes. Amazement, both at the depth of Dehaene's knowledge and the intricacy of how our brains work.

Any additional comments?

I canot find other Dehaene audiobooks... but have now ordered hard copies of his other works. In fact, I have also ordered a hard copy of this audiobook.

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Not so mysterious

Revisado: 05-21-17

What did you like best about Mysteries of Modern Physics: Time? What did you like least?

Sean Carroll is obviously a very bright guy, and one could learn a lot from him. But this book is a disappointment. He attempts to build tension and interest in his topic (entropy, the arrow of time), then shows why that tension is misplaced here (but not over there), and concludes with a cosmos spanning review that brings nothing new.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Entropy is clearly explained.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Include a panegyric to the steam engine

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The title should warn you

Revisado: 05-21-17

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Not recommended.

One really doesn't care about any of the features of Tegmark's personal quest ("My Quest"), or that he is at odds with most of his fellow scientists. One would care if there was novel insight, or the basis for a broader understanding of "the nature of reality" in the book. There isn't.

Has Our Mathematical Universe turned you off from other books in this genre?

Yes. There is too much dross out there.

Do you think Our Mathematical Universe needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

NO. no follow up needed

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A clear, deep, thorough review by Nobel Laureate

Revisado: 05-21-17

Would you listen to The Lightness of Being again? Why?

Would I listen to this again? I already have.

In order to more fully grasp the principles and issues of various chapters, one needs to have the broad overview also present to mind. It is worth the effort. Few books on modern physics succeed so well.

What other book might you compare The Lightness of Being to and why?

Weinberg's To Explain the World, Nick Lane The Vital Question, Lawrence Krauss The Greatest Story Ever Told - So Far.

Even though written for the general public, Wilczek's book is no way superficial nor a "popular" discussion that leaves you with little when all is said and done. Yes, you have to work at understanding the argument, and you have to have some familiarity with the basics of modern physics. But the development of the ideas and the progression of the explanation for the "lightness" of being is both exciting and rewarding.

What about Walter Dixon’s performance did you like?

Very clear and direct. Limited use of emphasis, but always there in the right places.

Any additional comments?

... leaves you wanting for more from Wilczek

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