"First published as Explaining Humans in Great Britain by Viking in 2020"--Title page verso. Includes index.
Contents:
How to be polite: game theory, complex systems and etiquette. How to embrace your weird: biochemistry, friendship and the power of difference -- How to forget about perfection: thermodynamics, order and disorder -- How to feel the fear: light, refraction and fear -- How to find harmony: wave theory, harmonic motion and finding your resonant frequency -- How not to follow the crowd: molecular dynamics, conformity and individuality -- How to achieve your goals: quantum physics, network theory and goal setting -- How to have empathy with others: evolution, probability and relationships -- How to connect with others: chemical bonds, fundamental forces and human connection -- How to learn from your mistakes: deep learning, feedback loops and human memory -- How to be polite: game theory, complex systems and etiquette.
Summary:
"An instruction manual for life, love, and relationships by a brilliant young scientist whose Asperger's syndrome allows her--and us--to see ourselves in a different way...and to be better at being human Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of eight, Camilla Pang struggled to understand the world around her. Desperate for a solution, she asked her mother if there was an instruction manual for humans that she could consult. With no blueprint to life, Pang began to create her own, using the language she understands best: science. That lifelong project eventually resulted in An Outsider's Guide to Humans, an original and incisive exploration of human nature and the strangeness of social norms, written from the outside looking in--which is helpful to even the most neurotypical thinker. Camilla Pang uses a set of scientific principles to examine life's everyday interactions: How machine learning can help us sift through data and make more rational decisions How proteins form strong bonds, and what they teach us about embracing individual differences to form diverse groups Why understanding thermodynamics is the key to seeking balance over seeking perfection How prisms refracting light can keep us from getting overwhelmed by our fears and anxieties, breaking them into manageable and separate "wavelengths" Pang's unique perspective of the world tells us so much about ourselves--who we are and why we do the things we do--and is a fascinating guide to living a happier and more connected life"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.