Unique, David J. Linden
Unique, David J. Linden
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Unique
The New Science of Human Individuality

Author: David J. Linden

Narrator: Adam Barr

Unabridged: 7 hr 40 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Basic Books

Published: 09/29/2020

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included

Synopsis

Inspired by the abundance of unique personalities available on dating websites, a renowned neuroscientist examines the science of what makes you, you.
David J. Linden has devoted his career to understanding the biology common to all humans. But a few years ago he found himself on OkCupid. Looking through that vast catalog of human diversity, he got to wondering: What makes us all so different? Unique is the riveting answer. Exploring everything from the roots of sexuality, gender, and intelligence to whether we like bitter beer, Linden shows how our individuality results not from a competition of nature versus nurture, but rather from a mélange of genes continually responding to our experiences in the world, beginning in the womb. And he shows why individuality matters, as it is our differences that enable us to live together in groups.
Told with Linden's unusual combination of authority and openness, seriousness of purpose and wit, Unique is the story of how the factors that make us all human can change and interact to make each of us a singular person.

About David J. Linden

David J. Linden is a professor of neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the New York Times bestselling author of The Compass of Pleasure and The Accidental Mind. He lives in Baltimore, Maryland, with his two children.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Jeff on July 04, 2020

Utterly Fascinating. With this book, David Linden looks to the genetic - and thus, biological - factors of human individuality, from sex to race to neurology to senses and everything in between. The science is well documented - roughly 30% of the version of the book I read is bibliography - and rece......more

Goodreads review by Hendrik on August 26, 2021

Really enjoyed this one. This is a survey of different topics in genetics and neuroscience all concerned with individual differences - What some identifiable ones are, How they come into being and how they fit into what is known or known that it is not quite known about brain function. David J. Linden......more

Goodreads review by Matthew on August 11, 2020

As a science nerd myself I found the topic of this book very interesting. The writing style was very accessible and easy to get through. I learned so many new things. I found the sections on sexuality and gender very interesting.......more

Goodreads review by Jan on January 13, 2023

This popular neuroscience book about what makes us who we are by a high-school friend of mine is delightful, humorous, fascinating, well written and edifying. It displays an impressive breadth and depth of knowledge and great educational skill.......more

Goodreads review by Rhiannon on February 17, 2022

Another reviewer said something along the lines of, "like reading a very engaging textbook," and I think that really sums Unique up. As lukewarm as that might sound, I really enjoyed this book! David Linden is a neuroscientist who, inspired by scrolling dating profiles, decided to do a deep dive int......more

Quotes

"Linden neither falters nor apologizes. . . . That's the kind of clarity we need more of in popular science books like this."—New York Times Book Review

"A master at explaining tricky concepts, David Linden has pulled together impressive strands of radical research from genetics to sexuality to our food selection, peppered with amusing anecdotes. We may know who we are, but we should be more conscious of judging others. This book will provoke a fruitful debate."—György Buzsaki, author of The Brain from Inside Out

"Bucking the currents of predetermination arising from personal genomics and biomarkers, David Linden examines the most fascinating aspect of biology -- everyone is different. Read Linden's book to learn how and why we are all unique."—R.Douglas Fields, author of Electric Brain

"A sturdy, scientifically grounded, and anecdotally engaging study of the factors that shape us."—Kirkus

"I'm not average, and neither are you. In a fascinating new book, Linden explains how we become our individual selves -- leaving behind the stale concept of 'nature versus nurture' to reveal a recipe based on a broad range of experiences and predispositions, spiced with a dash of just plain luck. Informative and fun to read!"
—Sandra Aamodt, author of Welcome to Your Brain

"Linden takes us on a colorful journey through our dreams, memories, and senses, exploring how social experience and genes interact to shape each of us as individual human beings. Along the way he combines personal stories, real world analogies, current scientific research, and his own insights to confront the challenging topics of race, sex, gender, and intelligence. A thoughtful, fresh and enjoyable look at ourselves."—Robin Lester, professor of neurobiology at University of Alabama at Birmingham

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