The human brain is one of the most complex objects to have ever existed
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Scientific books, especially those written by scientists, sometimes have the reputation of being dry, dull and difficult. Perhaps they are considered to be barely disguised textbooks, something to learn in a structured way. The books on the restricted list of the price of the scientific book of the Royal Society Trivedi testify to the error from this point of view, and nothing more than that which the judges chose as winner of this year: Our brain, our self by the neurologist Masud Husain.
I was fortunate to be president of a panel of six – all the readers and lover of books, including New scientistJacob Aron, editor -in -chief of information, had difficult work to choose the restricted list, then the final winner of the prize. Composed of defenders passionate about science, our discussions were large and fascinating, as you could expect from a set of people who love both science and books.
We often do not agree, always politely, and I have rarely been with a set of people who have listened to the opposite views so well. Our very different starting points and our lived experiences meant so much that we learned so much, both on the books that we had the privilege of reading and reading itself.
There were many excellent scientific books among the entrances to this year, but Our brain, our self A stands out for its combination of beautiful narrtilles, rigorous and cutting -edge sciences told in a engaging way and, above all, of its humanity. Husain is a neuroscientist, but also a clinician: seven of the stories of his patients constitute the chapters of the book.
Their conditions vary – a person is overcome with apathy after surviving a stroke; Another believes that she has an affair with her own husband – but they all lead to deep changes. The book is a good exploration of how pathological problems in the brain can make people completely different, so they are rejected by society.
The gold thread that crosses the book is the concept of “self” and how the brain influences which we are. It is very empathetic, told in a wonderful way and from a very personal point of view. Science is also there – a large part based on Husain’s own research, all explained very clearly, with the things that we do not yet know clearly. This is something I appreciate. Too often, we expect science to have all the answers, but the best science is really the science that encourages us to ask the next exciting question.
The case study format of a clinical practice may seem experienced and true, but the difference here is that the gold thread, with a really personal touch. Have you ever felt excluded from belonging? The stories of these patients with brain disorders force the reader to think of the identity and concept of self, and what “belonging” means to us both as an individual and as members of society.
This idea resonated with us as a sign. We all considered, what does it mean to belong? Several of the people we meet in the book are members of immigrant communities (such as the author himself) who had to overcome prejudices, resentment and sometimes even violence to belong to the society in which they found themselves. While our world is becoming more and more connected, it seems logical that our fear of difference should decrease, but unfortunately, it seems that this is not the case.
Our brain, our self Really makes you think about the reader about how brain disorders can make people deeply change so that they no longer belong, but also how cognitive functions contribute to our own identity. Our brain really determines who we are. This very compassionate book not only teaches the reader on science, but is also full of incredible human kindness.
Sandra Knapp is a vegetable taxonomist at the Natural History Museum in London. She chaired the jury for the Prix du Book Scientific de la Royal Society this year. The winner winner is Our brain, our selfThe latest choice for the New Scientist Book Club.
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