Like most people I have a love/hate relationship with technology. I love waking up in the mornings and checking my Twitter feed and the news but I hate how the distraction can make me run late. I love the satisfaction of hitting my step goals but I hate that I feel compelled to log what I eat. I love being connected to other people but I hate the guilt that comes with not … [Read more...]
Invisible Influence, or How Society Tells You What to Do, by Jonah Berger
What if, in striving for individuality, we emulated those around us? What if our decisions aren't actually ours? What if science backed this up? It turns out, science does back this up and we may not be as unique as we think, which is what Jonah Berger argues in Invisible Influence. Using science, studies, surveys, and anecdotes, Berger shows us how our neighbors, … [Read more...]
Public Shamings and the Loss of Identity
What do the stocks, public whippings, and the gossip's bridle have in common? They were all instruments used to punish wrongdoers. The alleged crimes were varied, from violent crimes to gossiping too much, but the goal of the punishment was the same: to punish citizens and turn them into social pariahs via public shamings. This sentiment is still alive and … [Read more...]
Concussion by Jeanne Marie Laskas
Since being released late last year, Concussion by Jeanne Marie Laskas has made quite a splash. In addition to the book, it has become an award-winning movie - one that I saw not long ago. Having seen the movie, I thought I knew what I was getting into when I finally decided to pick up the book but I soon learned that the movie did not do justice to it (as is usually … [Read more...]
From DNA to Hoarding Cats, ‘Violinist’ Covers It All
How much do you know about DNA? If you're like me, you know the basics - it's the building block of life and comes in that cool double helix shape, but not much else. If, however, you're interested in learning more about how DNA works and how it impacts everyday living in incredibly surprising ways, then pick up The Violinist's Thumb by Sam Kean. When I first started … [Read more...]
From Sewage to Swimwear: How the Modern World Was Made
What does the printing press have to do with germ theory? How did glass give rise to the selfie? And what's the deal with time? If you are wondering about the answers to these questions then you're going to want to pick up How We Got to Now: Six Innovations That Made the Modern World. It's a brief but comprehensive book, covering a wide range of topics in just enough depth to … [Read more...]
OCD: My Personal Journey and a Book Review
I have OCD, and I don't mean the neat-freak kind, I mean the real kind. I walk on sidewalks in palindromes, have routines for setting my alarms that I have to start over if anyone talks, snores, or if the minute changes, and had a serious issue with a pull-chain light growing up. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. I believe in a left and right sock and must, must, … [Read more...]
10 Reasons to Read 10% Happier by Dan Harris
I could probably write a pretty lengthy review about 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works by Dan Harris, but at the end of the day it would be mostly babble. That's because there are very straightforward reasons that anyone with a bit of anxiety in their lives should read it. I started out … [Read more...]