Reviews and Comments

The creeping rise of 'safetyism' is not producing the desired protective effect and is in fact increasing harms. This book examines the problems caused by misinterpreting social interactions by viewing encounters through the lenses of cognitive distortions. The polarisation of political ideas in the university setting is explained in terms of how children are raised and the deficits it creates in resilience and capacity to deal with adversity.

Interesting read considering when the book was written, and the direction that society has taken in the intervening period. The references to mass media seem quaint by today’s standards. The author takes the reader through emerging patterns of pathological narcissism and consequent cultural features from the protest movements of the 60s and the ‘me’ generation of the 70s. The gradual replacement of the functions of the family by the state are also outlined and the social impacts of these changes.

An old collection but has some great stories from an author that focuses on quality not quantity. The collection draws from a variety of sources (golem, existentialism, the Bible) and brings a cerebral but human perspective to science a fiction. One to dip in and out of I think.

Some really good insights into the importance of sleep, our negative cultural attitudes towards getting sufficient sleep and ways to improve sleep hygiene.

Excellent book on the theory of consciousness in the animal kingdom. Mostly focused on cephalopods. A bit similar to other works by the author. Makes the case for limiting animal experiments.

Interesting take on a new way to live and work. Mike Elgan is an accomplished journalist and this book is an interesting account of how his wife and he live abroad. They organise cultural events for others that transcend the usual holiday experience.

Interesting take on a new way to live and work. Mike Elgan is an accomplished journalist and this book is an interesting account of how his wife and he live abroad. They organise cultural events for others that transcend the usual holiday experience.