Brain Rules
by John Medina · first published 2008
59% recommend38% neutral3% critical
Why HN recommends it
Short, well-organized, plain-language tour of how the brain works and how to work it, covering exercise, sleep, and memory with references to research. Suits general readers wanting practical cognition tips.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Most of us have no idea what's really going on inside our heads. Yet brain scientists have uncovered details every business leader, parent, and teacher should know—such as the brain's need for physical activity to work at its best.How do we learn? What exactly do sleep and stress do to our brains? Why is multi-tasking a myth? Why is it so easy to forget—and so important to repeat new knowledge? Is it true that men and women have different brains?In Brain Rules, molecular biologist John Medina shares his lifelong interest in how the brain sciences might influence the way we teach our children a
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Be sure to take a look at "Brain Rules" by John Medina. http://brainrules.net/ The short version: EXERCISE | Rule #1: Exercise boosts brain power. SURVIVAL | Rule #2: The human brain evolved, too. WIRING | Rule #3: Every brain is wired…
on “Ask HN: List everything you know that is good/bad for our brains.” ↗…future this will be even more pronounced. Great article, got me thinking. If you're interested, I recommend [1] The Promise of Sleep: http://www.amazon.com/Promise-Sleep-Medicine-Connection-Happ... [2] Brain Rules: http://www.amazon.com/Brain-Rules-Principles-Surviving-Thriv...
on “Wife-beating and slavery were once acceptable: How will the future judge us?” ↗Since I can tell this topic is interesting to you, if you haven't read it, I highly recommend "Brain Rules" by John Medina: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0979777747/ It's a fantastic read that I think would do a much better job of discussing this topic, especially in the realm of human cognition than I can.
on “The Singularity is Far: A Neuroscientist's View” ↗…well). A 20-50 minute aerobic workout has the same net effect for many (healthily burning adrenaline instead of using high blood pressure medication to reduce anxiety). Be sure to check Dr. Medina's brain rules for presenters: http://www.slideshare.net/garr/brain-rules-for-presenters
on “Public speaking is tough” ↗…features like grit, empathy, and patience. These can (probably) be enhanced by good parenting and environment or detracted from by bad parenting or a chaotic or violent environment. (See John Medina's Brain Rules for Babies for a good summary of existing evidence) Of course, if these results are just the natural result of genetically hereditary features like intelligence than the conclusions are insanely gloomy-…
on “Saving Horatio Alger” ↗The book might be 'Brain Rules for kids' by John Medina. A scientific account of what we know and don't know of brain development from the womb to 5. Really enjoyable and full of useful insights
on “How to Raise a Creative Child – Step One: Back Off (2016)” ↗…Reich • The Lean Startup • Poke the Box • The Elements of Computing Systems • The Death of Common Sense • Up the Organization • The Personal MBA • The Wisdom of No-Escape • The Adapted Mind • Brain Rules • Getting Things Done • On Writing • Steal Like An Artist • George Orwell: A Collection of Essays And these are technically not books, but Glenn Greenwald's "Speech to the Massachusetts ACLU" and…
on “Ask HN: What books have made the biggest impact on your mental models?” ↗> I just want to do the smart thing at any given second. I can recommend Brain Rules and if you don’t want to read the book at least watch the videos as they are so funny.
on “Why you need both rituals and routines to power your workday” ↗Re: "not sure if there's any science in this". Brain rules by John Medina ISBN 9780979777707 provides compelling evidence that you're probably thinking along the right lines. An interesting read.
on “$140 adjustable height standing/sitting table” ↗I recommend to read Brain Rules by John Medina. http://www.brainrules.net/. He explains in really simple way how brain works and what is best for brain to keep evolving and getting smarter. One of the rules: Sleep well - think well
on “Ability to learn is affected by the timing of sleep” ↗…http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB1000087239639044418000... Too bad online articles don't come with scholarly references :) Edit: infographic link: http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/PJ-BJ856A_WORKF_G_... Edit2: John Medina's Brain Rules, with references to peer-reviewed research that has been duplicated, http://www.amazon.com/Brain-Rules-Updated-Expanded-Principle...
on “Why the 9-to-5 Day Is So Tough on Creative Workers” ↗…when you feel down, but after you are done, you will be asking yourself what were you objecting to in the first place. If you want to learn more about the link between exercise and brain health read "Brain Rules" by Dr. John Medina or watch his Google talk by the same name: https://youtu.be/IK1nMQq67VI He also has "Baby Brain Rules" on parenting techniques to help your new baby get a good start (some of the…
on “Ask HN: What do you do when you are lethargic?” ↗Brain Rules by John Medina and Make it Stick by Peter Brown are pretty good, and not too tough going. In terms of the mechanics of memory, they're pretty good particularly.
on “How Do We Learn?” ↗Though many but a few recommendations: - Hooked - The dollar trap - Built to sell - Brain rules - The doctor in the house (Memoir of Malaysian PM, Mahathir) - 1984 by Orwell (Still reading)
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2018?” ↗The book Brain Rules by John Medina is worth checking out for some suggestions on possible answers. I don't think science has definitive answers yet but if I remember correctly it's thought that the circuits involved in what…
on “Study shows how taking short breaks may help our brains learn new skills” ↗