I am aware of what is involved and have spent time in anatomy rooms, that's not my problem but as someone who facilitated her father's donation and who is signed up, along with other loved ones, to donate herself, eventually I'd rather not think those dealing with us dislike it so much. Het had dus een goed boek kunnen zijn over een interessant onderwerp als het op een toegankelijkere en duidelijkere manier was uitgewerkt. The experience would have been more enjoyable for me personally, however, if it had been conveyed in a more orthodox style. But that’s just not an inaccurate representation, but ignores the many important processes in our brains that are dependent on the very existence of emotions and the healthy regulation thereof. Through this book we explore emotions from a range of aspects that I found intriguing, illuminating and thought provoking.

Although employed as a tutor and lecturer by the Cardiff University Centre for Medical Education in his day job, Dean is best known for his satirical science column ‘Brain Flapping‘ at the Guardian, and his internationally acclaimed debut book ‘The Idiot Brain‘. To unravel the larger complexity of emotions, it is necessary to examine specific instances of distinct and recognisable emotional manifestations and expressions. Very up-close and personal, this book examines the role of emotions in numerous facets of life, ranging from the most fundamental biological processes to cutting-edge technology. Soms gebruikte hij bijvoorbeeld allerlei namen van verschillende gebieden in de hersenen, wat naar mijn idee vaak overbodig was en dus niet perse nodig. The author, Dean Burnett, is a neuroscientist, as he likes to remind us throughout the book, so the detailed anatomical look at the brain was not a surprise.The more aware we are of our emotions, the more we can moderate and control their effects and influence on ourselves. Also, as good as Burnett is in engaging a popular audience in neuropsychological topics, I always find myself wound up when an author frequently uses "as a scientist. Social media gives everyone a platform to express themselves and share moments with those dear to us. A fascinating exploration of our emotions and how they enhance all of our lives (and why it doesn’t always feel that way).

At the cost of some emotional budget burn sympathising with Dean Burnett, you will get neuroscience musings on a bit wide set of subjects collectively touching on our emotional systems/drivers. It tackled the idea of emotions and cognition as being separate entities until, of course, we realize they are inextricably linked and dependent on each other. Dean, your point is legitimate whether you're a scientist or not if it's accurate in itself, please stop mentioning your credentials.

Ik heb van dit boek een leesexemplaar mogen lezen vanuit de boekhandel waar ik een bijbaan heb (de vertaalde Nederlandstalige variant: ‘Doe normaal! I am still determining the target audience for this book because it seems like he is the only one meant to read it.

I do feel mean for not giving this book a full 5 star rating, but I am putting the emotion to one side for the moment. My one real quibble with it is that I would have preferred him not to describe his previous employment in the anatomy department as being awful, repeatedly. Got a weird feeling that's it's author's therapy, a self-healing process of (re)connecting with semi-broken emotional-inner-workings, triggered by author's father passing. In Chapter Five, Burnett delves into Emotional Relationships and considers why losing a parent might be easier than losing your romantic partner.In Emotional Ignorance, Dean takes us on an incredible journey of discovery, stretching from the origins of life to the end of the universe. Burnett lost me when he talked about how, because of his type of loss, he experienced more anger than usual. Hij zit zelf waarschijnlijk al zo diep in de stof dat het daardoor moeilijk is het in ‘Jip en Janneke’-taal uit te leggen. Dean uses his recent experience to describe his own profound emotions and thoughts and also references his much loved family. As long as Burnett is able to maintain a good relationship with those he cares about, it will help in transitioning into something positive.