The luminaries who contributed to the work of the House of Wisdom spoke several languages and were all polymaths, with their knowledge and abilities spanning many different fields. By Hafeez Diwan and Sally MallamContributing Writers A few are listed below, with links to videos where possible to give an idea of their accomplishments, individual approach and effect on … Seguir leyendo Polymaths of the Golden Age→
Featured Book Capital in the Twenty-First Century Thomas PikettyPaperback edition 2017 Reviewed by George KasabovContributing Writer Piketty’s Capital in the Twenty-First Century notes that in 2017 we reached the startling position where the world’s richest 8 individuals own more than the whole of the bottom half of the world population, over 3.6 billion people, and … Seguir leyendo Capital in the Twenty First Century→
Featured Book Multimind A New Way of Looking at Human Behavior By Robert E. OrnsteinContributing Writer The author notes that since the publication of his breakthrough work “The Psychology of Consciousness,” the scientific understanding of the brain has become more detailed and specific. Rather than confining our understanding to two minds: the rational mind, dependent … Seguir leyendo Multimind: A New Way of Looking at Human Behavior→
by Matthew Lieberman
In Social, renowned psychologist Matthew Lieberman explores groundbreaking research in social neuroscience revealing that our need to connect with other people is even more fundamental, more basic, than our need for food or shelter. Because of this, our brain uses its spare time to learn about the social world – other people and our relation to them. It is believed that we must commit 10,000 hours to master a skill. According to Lieberman, each of us has spent 10,000 hours learning to make sense of people and groups by the time we are ten.
by Charles C. Mann
In this groundbreaking work of science, history, and archaeology, Charles C. Mann radically alters our understanding of the Americas before the arrival of Columbus in 1492.
Contrary to what so many Americans learn in school, the pre-Columbian Indians were not sparsely settled in a pristine wilderness; rather, there were huge numbers of Indians who actively molded and influenced the land around them. The astonishing Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan had running water and immaculately clean streets, and was larger than any contemporary European city. Mexican cultures created corn in a specialized breeding process that it has been called man’s first feat of genetic engineering. Indeed, Indians were not living lightly on the land but were landscaping and manipulating their world in ways that we are only now beginning to understand. Challenging and surprising, this a transformative new look at a rich and fascinating world we only thought we knew.
By Robert Ornstein and David Sobel
Imagine a medical treatment that can decrease heart disease, boost immune function, relieve depression, and block pain—whose only side effect is that it makes you feel good. It's safe, inexpensive, and readily available, No, it's not a miracle drug; rather, these benefits come from the experience of pleasure itself. And this pleasure prescription is filled in the internal pharmacy of the brain.Psychologist Robert Ornstein and physician David Sobel deliver the latest scientific evidence that pleasures—from saunas to siestas, chocolate to charity—and positive attitudes—from happiness to optimism—are not only enjoyable but also good for you.
By Salman Kahn
A free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere: this is the goal of the Khan Academy, a passion project that grew from an ex-engineer and hedge funder's online tutoring sessions with his niece, who was struggling with algebra, into a worldwide phenomenon. Today millions of students, parents, and teachers use the Khan Academy's free videos and software, which have expanded to encompass nearly every conceivable subject; and Academy techniques are being employed with exciting results in a growing number of classrooms around the globe.
by Kate Lorig DrPH, Halsted Holman MD, David Sobel MD MPH, Diana Laurent MPH, Virginia González MPH &Marion Minor PT PhD
Completely redesigned for easy reading and fully updated with the latest research and information on current practice, medication, legal matters, and specific conditions, this new edition of a vital resource is full of tips, suggestions, and strategies to deal with chronic illness and symptoms, such as fatigue, pain, shortness of breath, disability, and depression. It encourages readers to develop individual approaches to setting goals, making decisions, and finding resources and support so that they are able to do the things they want and need. Originally based on a five-year study conducted at Stanford University, this work has grown to include the feedback of medical professionals and people with chronic conditions all over the world.
Human Universals: Traits All Humans Share Human evolution has produced a remarkable set of common characteristics, which is what makes us human. Some are physical, like the skeleton for walking upright, a vocal tract for speech, and dexterity for tool use. We share a common set of emotions and the capacity for self-awareness, abstract thinking, … Seguir leyendo Human Universals (What Makes Us Human): Traits All Humans Share→
A person can view and understand the very same piece of information differently, depending on the mental model he uses to interpret it. When we hear thunder, do we explain it as the anger of the gods, the noise made by an atmospheric event, or some other model? Mental models describe the way in which … Seguir leyendo Organizing Our Experience: Mental Models→
Greek dramatic plays, held in honor of selected gods, were unlike anything the world had seen before. They were performed in amphitheaters that provided a physical space in which foundational elements for the growth and sustainability of democracy were nurtured. By Sally MallamContributing Writer Over at least three days Athenians had the opportunity, time … Seguir leyendo The Theater of Ancient Greece→
