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Being Human: Life Lessons from the Frontiers of Science cover art

Being Human: Life Lessons from the Frontiers of Science

By: Robert Sapolsky, The Great Courses
Narrated by: The Great Courses
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Summary

Understanding our humanity - the essence of who we are - is one of the deepest mysteries and biggest challenges in modern science. Why do we have bad moods? Why are we capable of having such strange dreams? How can metaphors in our language hold such sway on our actions?

As we learn more about the mechanisms of human behavior through evolutionary biology, neuroscience, anthropology, and other related fields, we're discovering just how intriguing the human species is. And while scientists are continually uncovering similarities between our behavior and that of other animals, they're also finding insights into everything that makes us unique from any other species.

Join an acclaimed neurobiologist, award-winning teacher, and MacArthur Foundation "genius grant" recipient in a series of 12 invigorating lectures that offer a surprising and undeniably fascinating study of what makes you you, journeying to the front lines of scientific research to gain a new perspective on the quirky nature of being ourselves. Professor Sapolsky explores our humanity by investigating mysterious and sometimes even mundane aspects of human behavior, including bad moods, nostalgia, and dreams, packing the lectures with stories of bold experiments and case studies that illuminate the intricacies of our behavior.

Thought-provoking, witty, and sometimes myth-shattering, this course is sure to have you thinking about and appreciating your life in novel ways.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2012 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2012 The Great Courses

What listeners say about Being Human: Life Lessons from the Frontiers of Science

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  • Overall
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Interesting and engaging

Never boring. Covers many interesting aspects of human behavior from a scientific perspective. Engaging presentation style.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent and insightful.

A truly fascinating, brilliant course, delivered with passion and humour. The most interesting and enjoyable 'Great Courses' I have listened to.



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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Narrator voice was hard to stay focused on.

Don't know why exactly, but I found myself zoning out of this a lot even thought the information was good. Good info though.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Basic

Probably very good for very young entry level students. Unfortunately very basic for my level of knowledge.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Really interesting easy listening

All the lectures are varied and interesting if you have an enquiring mind it’s worth listening too

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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The Exemplary Sapolsky

Witty Smart Compassionate Teacher Who Can Convey Complex Science In The Most Accessible & Clear Manner. I Sat through 27 of his Stanford University Neuroscience Biology lectures on Human Behavioural Biology with next to no previous exposure to the. range of subjects he covers, perhaps for some rudimentary Psychology & Sociology stuff from University Nursing course. They were utterly compelling, I wasn't sure if these would be superfluous to those lectures, they are not - this is excellent work, imaginatively curated into a highly digestible format. Don't think twice stick it in your bag or wish list, share with your family, it is dynamite as they say.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Fascinating, makes me want to understand more.

If you could sum up Being Human: Life Lessons from the Frontiers of Science in three words, what would they be?

Light bulb blinks

What was one of the most memorable moments of Being Human: Life Lessons from the Frontiers of Science?

Influence & impacts of stress

Have you listened to any of Professor Robert Sapolsky’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Wanted to but did not have the time, taken three sittings

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highly recommended 5*

very engaging, funny, intelligent author with the intellect to explain his subject well with interesting and humorous examples, making this course easy to follow and understand. highly recommended 5*

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Life Lessons from the Frontiers of Science

Some extremely insightful examinations on human behaviour, accompanied by wonderfully engaging illustrations leaving you wanting more. Needless to say his narration is fluid and dynamic. Gratz good production.

Presented for audiences on multiple levels of experience, from zero to semi hero!

This guy understands stress on a binary biological level, and explains it seemingly effortlessly.

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Simply brilliant

Fun facts, tied together into 12 different fascinating stories of what it means (or may not mean) to be human. What's not to like?

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1 person found this helpful