Mind Myths: Exploring Popular Assumptions About the Mind and Brain Book

What do we know, or not know, about the mind? That is, "we" the lay public as well as "we" the scientists and psychologists. Mind Myths: Exploring Popular Assumptions About the Mind and Brain stages an engaging encounter between the two: the "scientist" (something of a hero here) and the "educated" reader discussing some of the key and controversial myths of our time. "We live in a credulous world," writes Della Sala in his Preface to this collection of seventeen diverse, and clearly argued, essays. And credulity, it seems, knows no bounds. Try the opening questionnaire, "Are you a scientist or a poet?" and then read on to discover the measure of your own gullibility through the five sections of the book: "Brain Mythology" (do we use only 10% of our brains? Does the brain have energy?); "The Twilight Zone Betwen Life and Death" (near-death experiences and the mystery of resuscitation); "Myths about Memory and Creative Thinking" (from false memory syndrome--one of the most contentious essays here--to brainstorming); "Clones, Ageing and Hypnosis" (is the human brain cloneable? how does hypnosis work?); "The Multifarious Aspects of Deception" (from placebos to psychic fraud); and, finally, "Media Watch"--a discussion of the representation of pseudo-science and the paranormal in popular media. A counter to the plethora of popular books sustaining the myths of, say, UFOs or learning-while-you-sleep, Mind Myths is a readable study--an unconventional contribution to the discussion of the mysteries of the brain. --Vicky LebeauRead More