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Idiot Brain: What Your Head Is Really Up To

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,928 ratings

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A neuroscientist's delightful tour of our mysterious, mischievous, entirely fallible gray matter.

It's happened to all of us at some point. You walk into the kitchen, or flip open your laptop, or stride confidently up to a lectern, filled with purpose―and suddenly haven't the foggiest idea what you’re doing. Welcome to your idiot brain.

Yes, it is an absolute marvel in some respects―the seat of our consciousness, the pinnacle (so far) of evolutionary progress, and the engine of all human experience―but your brain is also messy, fallible, and about 50,000 years out-of-date. We cling to superstitions, remember faces but not names, miss things sitting right in front of us, and lie awake at night while our brains replay our greatest fears on an endless loop.

Yet all of this, believe it or not, is the sign of a well-meaning brain doing its best to keep you alive and healthy. In Idiot Brain, neuroscientist Dean Burnett celebrates blind spots, blackouts, insomnia, and all the other downright laughable things our minds do to us, while also exposing the many mistakes we've made in our quest to understand how our brains actually work. Expertly researched and entertainingly written, this book is for everyone who has wondered why their brain appears to be sabotaging their life, and what on earth it is really up to.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Entertaining . . . offers illuminating discussions of the way the memory works, of fear and panic attacks, of our susceptibility to being conned or depressed, and of the marvels of the human senses."
Wall Street Journal

"We
love a good brain book, and Idiot Brain by Dean Burnett might just be our new favorite."
Bookish

"A neuroscientist's irreverent guide to the brain. . . . Burnett manages to both entertain and inform in engaging ways that would benefit the performance of the most humorless pedant."
Kirkus (starred review)

"British neuroscientist Burnett, author of the
Guardian blog Brain Flapping, packs an incredible amount of information into an accessible package with this breezy, charming collection of pop neuroscience musings on 'how the human brain does its own thing despite everything the modern world can throw at it.'"
Publishers Weekly

"In
Idiot Brain, neuroscientist Dean Burnett doesn't just explain the weird inner workings of our brain's most bizarre bits and pieces in terms that we can understand, he explains them in terms we can laugh at, and relate to. If you've ever wanted to sit down with a neuroscientist, have a few drinks, ask a zillion questions, and laugh until you snorted, read this book."
David McRaney, best-selling author of You Are Not So Smart

"I really admire Dean Burnett’s work. He’s very compelling and wise and rational. You know you can trust him and you know it’s going to be a great read."
Jon Ronson, best-selling author of So You've Been Publicly Shamed

"An entertaining romp through the science of our mental processes . . . fascinating."
Gaia Vince, author of Adventures in the Anthropocene

About the Author

Dean Burnett is a neuroscientist and research associate at the Centre for Medical Education at Cardiff University. He writes a popular science blog called Brain Yapping for the Cosmic Shambles Network and dabbles in stand-up comedy. He lives in Cardiff, Wales.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ W. W. Norton & Company (July 26, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0393253783
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0393253788
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.14 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 1.2 x 9.6 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,928 ratings

About the author

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Dean Burnett
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Dr Dean Burnett is a PhD Neuroscientists, experienced tutor and lecturer, regular blogger/contributor for the Guardian and other mainstream publications, and now international bestselling author following his debut book The Idiot Brain ('Idiot Brain' in the US).

The genesis of Idiot Brain is unusual in that Dean Burnett hadn't actually planned to write a book but was offered the opportunity following his highly-popular blogging efforts. When he expressed reluctance at writing a book about the brain because "all brain books treat it with such reverence, but I think it's a bit rubbish", his publishers suggested he write a book about why he thought that, and that were Idiot Brain first began.

Expecting it to be a flash in the pan that people would just nod at before getting on with their lives, Dean had no plans or expectations regarding the writing of a second book, but Idiot Brain's success meant one was soon expected. In a panic, Dean asked all his colleagues/friends/fellow writers/passing strangers what they thought would be a good subject for a second book. Everyone provided different ideas, but one common refrain was 'You just need to write about whatever makes you happy". Being an intensely literal sort, he decided he would indeed write about the neurobiological mechanisms that make us happy.

And that's how Happy Brain was created.

Dean Burnett has appeared on NPR's Fresh Air, CBC's The Current, Ireland's NewsTalk and countless platforms and publications in the UK. The TV rights for Idiot Brain were purchased by Whoopi Goldberg's 'One Ho' productions.

He is currently a Research Associate (Honorary) at Cardiff University Psychology School, and lives in Cardiff with his wife, two children, and alarmingly psychopathic kitten Pickle.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,928 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book entertaining and lighthearted, with a wonderful wit. They find the information interesting and easy to understand, with an easy-to-read casual writing style that is down-to-earth. The book provides an informative introduction to neurological science in a fun way.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

52 customers mention "Humor"52 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor. They find it entertaining, with a lighthearted banter and a mix of scientific review. The author has a wonderful sense of humor that is liberally injected into the book. Readers say learning is enjoyable, and it's worth purchasing.

"...I enjoyed Dean’s light and humorous touch explaining a wide range of the brains operation. I now appreciate human idiosyncrasies, especially my own." Read more

"...into the book, creating a pleasant mix of scientific review and lighthearted banter...." Read more

"...Well worth the read." Read more

"...The simplicity and humor in all the chapters demonstrates how well the author understands the material and certain he would be a delight to listen..." Read more

49 customers mention "Information quality"49 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and enjoyable. They enjoy learning about the brain and how it works. The science is explained in a way that non-scientists can understand. The book covers interesting aspects of the brain with humor.

"...Points well taken show how inadequate our brain have adapted to the modern age. We mishandle drugs, stress and humanity quite naturally...." Read more

"...he displayed translated well into the book, creating a pleasant mix of scientific review and lighthearted banter...." Read more

"I enjoyed The Idiot Brain, as Dean tries to put very complex ideas into layman's terms for us non doctor types...." Read more

"...Most of the concepts are explained well and are supplemented with helpful and relatable analogies...." Read more

29 customers mention "Writing style"24 positive5 negative

Customers find the book's writing style casual and easy to understand. They describe it as an informative, illuminating sampler of neurological science. The humor is liberally injected into the text, providing lots of laughs. Readers appreciate the masterful explanations and footnotes that allow them to evaluate the source of the information.

"...I found it to be a very good summary of what is currently understood in human biology/psychology as it relates to our behavior and think it would..." Read more

"Fascinating book with a very approachable and entertaining style of addressing very complex topics related to the brain...." Read more

"...Unlike another reviewer, I thought his metaphors and explanations are masterful...." Read more

"...thing about it is the author has a sense of humor that is liberally injected into the text that provides lots of laughs to keep your mind on how..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2024
    Our "Idiot Brain" is more a misunderstood brain that served us better in the stone age. Points well taken show how inadequate our brain have adapted to the modern age. We mishandle drugs, stress and humanity quite naturally. Dean B. explains how our brain works against us hoping we better understand it. I enjoyed Dean’s light and humorous touch explaining a wide range of the brains operation. I now appreciate human idiosyncrasies, especially my own.
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2016
    Prior to reading Burnett's book I heard him interviewed on NPR. The quirky sense of humor he displayed translated well into the book, creating a pleasant mix of scientific review and lighthearted banter. In this, I believe Burnett underscored his primary theme - this stuff is crazy and we really don't understand it very well. I appreciate the reviews that struggled with his style - it doesn't take long to pick up his rhythm and sense when the next joke is coming. But in that pattern lies just another brain mechanism. Clearly I enjoyed the book and tolerated the style. My one suggestion would be to limit the very specific references to brain anatomy. I'm not a brain surgeon and would have related to the physiology lessons better if the jargon were reduced. I'm sure the areas of the brain he identifies are technically correct, but I don't need to know the locations at a resolution required to perform laser surgery - I would have been just as informed with the lobotomy version.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2023
    I enjoyed The Idiot Brain, as Dean tries to put very complex ideas into layman's terms for us non doctor types. I am always interested in why I think what I think. This book helped me realize I'm not going insane I am just the victim of a normal brain doing its thing! Well worth the read.
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2016
    First, with a five star rating I obviously enjoyed it. I'm not exactly sure if there is a particular target audience for this book but suspect many may get bogged down in unfamiliar vocabulary unless they have a biology or psychology background, which I do. But, I do not think that type of background is necessary to enjoy this book and only mention it if you cringe at the thought of any discussions involving brain anatomy and neurotransmitters; the author is a funny neuroscientist after all so it should be expected.

    The book is well written with humor effectively used to make important points. It is an easy read that I enjoyed on a cruise. I found it to be a very good summary of what is currently understood in human biology/psychology as it relates to our behavior and think it would be excellent mandatory reading toward the end of an undergraduate degree program. The simplicity and humor in all the chapters demonstrates how well the author understands the material and certain he would be a delight to listen to in person.

    Great book!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2021
    This a simply written and hilarious book that should be read by anyone who wants a popular account of the main ideas in cog sci and neuroscience. Most of the concepts are explained well and are supplemented with helpful and relatable analogies. On a negative note, there are a handful of awkward sentences and typos(its not laced with them), and had the author proofread the book a bit more carefully, the quality of it would have been that much better. Also, the book doesn't cover many of the topics exhaustively(this was mentioned as a disclaimer in the beginning of the book), and there aren't any diagrams/pictures which are usually found in pop-sci books of this kind. I know the author's objective was just to give a cursory overview of these cog-sci topics with a humorous touch, but I feel that if he made certain parts of the book more technical by adding pictures, explaining some neuroscience ideas comprehensively, and etc, the reader would have gotten much more value. Technical explanations have this bad rep of making readers averse to reading a book, but in reality, they can make the process of understanding concepts easier if well written. Burnett is no David Eagelman or Oliver Sacks when it comes to writing about the brain, mind, or related concepts, but his books offer somewhat of a different perspective of his field.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2016
    Fascinating book with a very approachable and entertaining style of addressing very complex topics related to the brain. Although the intent of the book was not to delve deeply into specific topics I found myself wanting to know more about many of the topics covered in the book. For me it was an excellent start to learning about the brain. I appreciated his sense of humor, which was a great way to take a break from the complexity.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2025
    Met all expectations.
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2016
    As a neuro-layman and an avid collector of quotes, I enjoyed Dean's neuroscience review, which was filled with his interpretive & opinionative thoughts. Examples of his "bits of wisdom" for my collection include.......
    - "Science is the work of humans. By and large, humans are messy, chaotic and illogical creatures (due largely to the workings of the human brain) and much of science reflects this."
    - "The brain is still an internal organ in the human body, and as such is a tangled mess of habits, traits, outdated processes and inefficient systems. In many ways, the brain is a victim of its own success; it’s evolved over millions of years to reach this current level of complexity, but as a result it has accrued a great deal of junk, like a hard drive riddled with old software programs and obsolete downloads that interrupt basic processes."
    - "Sadly, the words “reliable” and “accurate” can rarely be applied to the workings of the brain, particularly for memory. The memories retrieved by the brain are sometimes comparable to a hairball coughed up by a cat, the product of a lot of alarming internal mangling."
    10 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Steve47
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Fascinating, Insightful Read – Highly Recommended
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 12, 2024
    As a therapist, I've gifted The Idiot Brain at least 20 or 30 times to clients in paperback and audible. Dean Burnett does a brilliant job breaking down complex neuroscience in a way that's both humorous and easy to understand. This book gives readers a fresh perspective on why our brains work the way they do, covering everything from anxiety to decision-making. It’s insightful, relatable, and has become a go-to resource in my practice. I highly recommend it for anyone curious about how their mind really works.
  • Un acquirente Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice
    Reviewed in Italy on August 15, 2024
    An interesting, deep, and educational book, but at times also amusing. Not too heavy a read, nor too superficial. Very nice.
  • Amazon Kunde
    5.0 out of 5 stars Just brilliant!
    Reviewed in Germany on August 15, 2021
    If you would like to know in details how your brain works, I recommend reading his book. Despite being a scientific book, he managed to keep it interesting, simple and funny. Just brilliant!
  • Kartik
    5.0 out of 5 stars The best you can get
    Reviewed in India on August 7, 2019
    The Idiot Brain is one of its kind. I will highly recommend it for someone who want to know how amazing brain is while being stupid sometimes.
  • Joan
    4.0 out of 5 stars Informativo, actualizado y ligero
    Reviewed in Spain on July 30, 2018
    Este libro se centra en el funcionamiento del cerebro, cómo vemos el mundo, cómo procesamos la información, etc. Y en las imperfecciones que tiene una “máquina” tan compleja.
    Tiene muchas referencias y muchas de ellas son muy actuales, por tanto la información que da está basada en las últimas investigaciones.

    Además el estilo es muy ligero y lo hace muy fácil de leer. Aquí debo señalar que lo leí en inglés así que no puedo opinar sobre la versión traducida que se critica en otras valoraciones.

    No le doy las 5 estrellas porque me pareció que en ocasiones se alarga y hace repetitivo. Los primeros capítulos no puedes dejar de leer y en los últimos ya deseas que acabe.

    Yo recomiendo el libro para todos aquellos que no sepan nada del funcionamiento del cerebro, de los sesgos cognitivos, etc. Pero creo que para aquellos que ya hayan leído sobre el tema y estén informados el libro puede que no les aporte demasiado, algunos capítulos sí y otros no tanto.