Rate this book

Het Spiegelende Brein (2008)

by Marco Iacoboni(Favorite Author)

3.76 of 5 Votes: 5

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

Nieuwezijds

review 1: The material covered in this title is extensive, but unmanageable only due to Marco Iacoboni's selection of examples, studies, comments, etc., the organization of said material, and his seemingly confused understanding of his audience. At times, he seems to feel that his audience are his colleagues, using vernacular that the average reader would have difficulty understanding. Yet, at other times, he writes in such detail, explaining simple ideas in such depth that the same reader might have little interest in reading. In the next chapter, he seems to have abandoned both of these ideas entirely, using this as a sort of diary, documenting academically/educationally irrelevant personal details. As a lead researcher in his field, what he has shared in this title is definitely ... moreof great interest. Iacoboni discusses Mirror Neurons, the specific neurons responsible for our empathy. More important that many realize, empathy is how we learn to socially interact, from how to answer questions friends inquire of us, to how to read nonverbal cues. Mirror neurons are responsible for why we feel emotions of our own when family members are in pain, even though we are not ourselves directly hurt, or even when complete strangers react, we often do the same. When listening to music, contemplating art, reading a book, or watching a film, what we feel would not be possible without these neurons. Why is it that subliminal messaging works? Why does ESPN use "replay" shots more often than seems necessary? Why is political advertising so effective? What causes individuals with Autism & Asperger's to be the way they are? Why, from an early age, do we unconsciously imitate others? If you have not guessed, these mirror neurons are part of the answer to all of these inquiries. It might not be that much of an exaggeration after all to say that what we see someone else do, we do. And what they feel, we feel. There are many interesting studies, theories, & ideas that are addressed, including the Jennifer Aniston Cell, Brain Imaging while watching commercials, reactions during The World Cup, imaging comparisons to Autistic children, & political discrimination tendencies unveiled. What does all this information mean? Most importantly, it leads to possible solutions to such things as Autism, marketing quandaries, & a general better understanding of both ourselves and those around us. It also raises the important discussion of free-will. The evidence Iacoboni writes about reveals that, as individuals susceptible to the effect of our mirror neurons(many studies prove individuals claiming one thing, while brain imaging scientifically proves the truth to be the opposite), we may not be making choices as independently as we would like to believe. As stated, the book has wonderful, enlightening, and fascinating facts. The philosophical enigmas addressed will easily lead to night-long discussions. The data is relatively new, yet very relevant to our daily lives. So, the real disappointment is Iacoboni's translation of all this information into something the average reader would not be interested in long enough to finish reading. At times a perplexing, almost meaningless set of words, with substantial editing it could be something extraordinary.
review 2: I LOVED THIS BOOK!! XD XD----Probably one of my FAVORITE POPULAR SCIENCE BOOKS so far!It's a perfect balance of being engaging and being informative. ^^Wow I ALWAYS wanted to learn so much more about those intriguing things called Mirror Neurons, and was ecstatic when I found this entire book dedicated to them!Doubtless, I learned tons and tons of interesting info here:**SPOILERS**--------Mirror neurons are for a sense of self and other---I like this idea of interdependence...That the "Self" (Individual) and the "Other" are actually linked, not completely separate like mainstream ideas about Individuality are. less

Download links for: Het spiegelende brein

Advertising