Episode · Lex Fridman Podcast · 2020-11-20
Books mentioned on #140 – Lisa Feldman Barrett: Love, Evolution, and the Human Brain
Lisa Feldman Barrett is a neuroscientist, psychologist, and author. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: – Athletic Greens: https://athleticgreens.
Lex Fridman recommended Seven and a Half Lessons about the Brain by Lisa Feldman Barrett and The Art of War by Sun Tzu, and discussed How Emotions Are Made by Lisa Feldman Barrett. Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett recommended At Large and At Small by Anne Fadiman, The Triple Helix by Richard C. Lewontin, Biology As Ideology by Richard Lewontin, Naming the Mind by Kurt Danziger, On Writing by Stephen King, The Beak of the Finch by Jonathan Weiner, The Evolution of Beauty by Richard O. Prum, Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson, and The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin, and discussed The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, Boris Pasternak by Boris Pasternak, The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje, and Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Seven and a Half Lessons about the Brain
Seven and a Half Lessons about the Brain by Lisa Feldman Barrett is an accessible and concise introduction to the human brain that explores neuroscience, emotions, and how the mind constructs reality.
Recommended“her new book called 7 and a half lessons about the brain is out now as of a couple of days ago so you should definitely support Lisa by buying it and sharing with friends if you like it it's a great short intro to the human brain”
Where to get it
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The Fountainhead
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand is a classic philosophical novel that explores individualism, artistic integrity, and the conflict between independent creators and collectivist societal pressures.
Discussed“and that conversation didn't last very long because he made an anal I guess he he made an analogy between me and uh character in The Fountain Head -- the woman who's who's raped in the Fountain Head and I was like okay that's not that's not a good that's not a good that's not a good one not that”
Where to get it
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How Emotions Are Made
How Emotions Are Made by Lisa Feldman Barrett is a revolutionary neuroscience book exploring how the brain constructs emotions rather than merely reacting to them.
Discussed“So um maybe one way I could ask before we talk about the details you also have the author of another book is we talked about how emotions are made so it's interesting to talk about the process of writing”
Where to get it
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At Large and At Small
At Large and At Small by Anne Fadiman is a collection of engaging familiar essays that explore diverse topics ranging from the pleasures of ice cream to the challenges of maintaining a personal library.
Recommended“and after reading a a a small set of essays by an fatan -- called at large and at small which I just loved these little essays what's what's the topic of that those essays”
Where to get it
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The Triple Helix
The Triple Helix by Richard C.
Recommended“the triple helix -- by -- Richard lanon -- it's a little book published -- in 2000 which is -- um I think a really good introduction to complexity”
Where to get it
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Biology As Ideology
Biology As Ideology by Richard Lewontin is a critical analysis of modern scientific practices, arguing that biological research is frequently shaped by cultural assumptions and political ideologies rather than pure objectivity.
Recommended“it's called biology as ideology and it is all about -- I wouldn't call it one of the best books of all time -- but I I love the book”
Where to get it
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Naming the Mind
Dr.
Recommended“There's a book by um if you're interested in Psychology or the mind at all there's a wonderful book A little it's a it's a fairly fairly small book called naming the Mind by Kurt danziger who's a historian of psychology Everybody in my lab reads both of these books”
Where to get it
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On Writing
On Writing by Stephen King is a celebrated half-memoir and half-practical guide that explores the craft of writing and the author's personal experiences.
Recommended“Stephen King has a great book writing on writing and -- um you know where he gives tips -- interlaced with his own personal history”
Where to get it
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The Beak of the Finch
Dr.
Recommended“but I would say the if I were to pick one book that I think is a really good example of good science writing it would be the beak of the finch which is one of it won a a pullit Sur prise a number of years ago and I'm not I'm the I'm not remembering the author's name I'm”
Where to get it
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The Evolution of Beauty
The Evolution of Beauty by Richard O.
Recommended“actually there's also the evolution of beauty which is yeah which is also a great book”
Where to get it
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Major Pettigrew's Last Stand
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand is a charming contemporary novel by Helen Simonson that tells the story of an unexpected romance between two older individuals in a traditional English village.
Recommended“my favorite -- uh love stories are major pedigree Last Stand by Helen Simonson -- it's a -- it's a love story about people who you wouldn't expect to fall in love”
Where to get it
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The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry
The Storied Life of A.J.
Recommended“the -- um the storyed life of AJ FY -- which is also a love story but in this case it's a love story between -- um a little girl and her adopted dad”
Where to get it
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Boris Pasternak
Discussed“but the but you know like Dr shivago like or The English Patient oh my goodness like why”
Where to get it
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Doctor Zhivago
Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak is a sweeping historical novel that chronicles the turbulent life of a physician and poet amidst the chaos of the Russian Revolution.
Discussed“like Dr shivago like -- or The English Patient”
Where to get it
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The Art of War
The Art of War by Sun Tzu is an ancient military treatise that offers enduring strategic principles for outmaneuvering adversaries and managing conflict.
Recommended“let me leave you some words from sunzoo and the Art of War”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (4) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“he made an analogy between me and uh character in The Fountain Head um the woman who's who's raped in the Fountain Head and I was like okay that's not that's not a good that's not a good that's not a good one not that part not that scene not that scene”
“you also have the author of another book is we talked about how emotions are made”
“that's a standard -- um popular science book so it's 300 something pages and then you know it has like a thousand endnotes and then each of the endnotes is attached to a web note which is also long”
“the animal that I wrote about in seven and a half lessons is called an amphioxys or a lancelet”