Mind Wide Open: Your Brain and the Neuroscience of Everyday Life Book

Disturbingly simple depiction of the mind. Johnson is unquestionably in awe of the brain. His awe seems to have impaired his skepticism. The result is that he sensationalized what he learned and at times provided absolutely false information as if it were fact.

For example, He is under the assumption that the better people are at reading emotions, the more extroverted. Where is the evidence for such an absurd claim? This is why extraverts often misdiagnose introverts with autism, when in fact they are not even on the spectrum. Worse, despite being around some of the most respected neuroscientists the world has to offer, he was still holding tight to the myth that people only use 10% of their brains. It's absurd. These are only two examples of the many. He really didn't have a good enough grasp of neuroscience to write this book. Some journalists and science writers can swing it, but he is not nearly skeptical enough to pull it off.

The book's target audience seems to be those who also have no education in the neurosciences. Sadly, those people will believe what he is saying because he included work from very respected researchers who have conducted some pretty good studies. He related their work as well as many of his own assumptions. The very way in which he ties together the bits of information he gleaned from the researchers really demonstrates his lack of understanding. For him to have written a book to educate others seems grossly irresponsible. I would highly suggest finding an introductory book written by an actual scientist instead.