This week we’ve got a literary theme, plus the brain, mental health, and anthropology.
Top of the List
Carl Zimmer, Searching for Intelligence in Our Genes
The prominent science writer takes on new research about this controversial topic in a Scientific American report
Vaughan Bell @ Mind Hacks, Colombian Congress of Psychiatry Report
Vaughan visits Bogotá, my old stomping grounds, and comes back with some auditory hallucinations after dancing on tables. Wait until he goes to Cartagena!
Simon Romero, Acclaimed Colombian Institution Has 4,800 Books and 10 Legs
The Biblioburro! Two burros and one man bring literacy and literature to the rural areas of Colombia. Horacio Quiroga, first author mentioned in the article, is a fantastic writer; here is his tale Anaconda.
Ginger Campbell, Brain Science Podcast #47: Introduction to Brain Evolution
Ginger discusses the work of Georg Striedter, a leader in his field who uses a comparative and cross-species approach to this area of research. She brings us an excellent historical overview and explanation of what we know about brain evolution!
Margaret Atwood, A Matter of Life and Debt
The acclaimed novelist writes about debt, fairness and our humanity in this worthy op-ed
Literary
John Cleese, A Poem for Sean Hannity
Cleese pans the conservative talk show host
Edward Rothstein, Exhibition Review – Ambivalence as Part of Author’s Legacy
Irène Némirovsky, the author of Suite Francaise, and the contradictions of her work, her life and her times on display
Joel Parthemore, Review – Body Consciousness
Metapsychology review of the book Body Consciousness: A Philosophy of Mindfulness and Somaesthetics by Richard Shusterman – embodiment for philosophers!
Neuroanthropology 