Review: Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies

Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies by Nick Bostrom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book has been a tough read  for me. Because the language used by the author is very esoteric, and this book is filled with so many abstruse concepts such as Orthogonality, Optimization. Recalcitrance etc. I picked up this book because Elon Musk, the legendary entrepreneur and Sam Harris, the neuro scientist have recommended it. Alas, it was a disappointing read. Not that the book was boring or so, but may be because my own knowledge of technology is not that strong. The author has tried his best to explain the most complex concepts in the simplest  way possible. But, the simplicity was not enough. A layman will definitely find it hard to understand this book.

This book does not fall into the league of futurist books such as the Physics of the Future for instance, written by Michio Kaku. Mind you, the author is more a philosopher than a scientist. Moreover,this book is not about when will reach to the point where the AI exceeds the intellectual might of humans.Rather, it is about what will be the fate of humanity if  it happens so. Yes, clearly Nick Bolstrom is thinking ahead of his times. But, this book was too complicated for me to digest.The author makes it clear that he does not want to make use of the word Singularity for the reason that the word does not fully capture the essence of the phenomenon where AI fully overtakes the humans,which has far reaching implications for the mankind.

But yes, there are certain points which I liked in this book, and they were in the first few chapters.
The concept of whole brain emulation was really interesting. He talks about modelling the AI superpowers by simulating the human brain. But that too seems to be a very distant possibility going by the current situation. At present, to the best of my knowledge , with all the advances we have made in the neurotechnology, we hardly know only 5-10% about the human brain. I don’t know how many years it will take for the Connectome project to finish, which aims at mapping the entire 100 billion neurons of the human brain. And, it is not going to be easy. Because it is a cross-disciplinary project.

The second and a very controversial chapter is on biological cognition. Nietzsche proclaimed to the world that he will teach the secret of how to become a superman. That is what the author propounds in this chapter in a way. Biological cognition talks about the enhancing the intellectual capabilities of human through various intentions such as genetic engineering, drugs that would increase one’s cognitive horsepower etc, so that our brains would be better suited for modelling for superintelligence.But such interventions can lead to unwarranted side effects and have unintended consequences.

The author also writes about how brain-computer interfaces will become the norm of the day in the future if at all we achieve superintelligence .In the near future, humans should learn to co-exist with machines and AI enabled devices. This is something which has already started happening.But my objection is that(I may be wrong); generally in the market, only those technologies will thrive that complements the human ability and not replaces the need for human ability. In that way, the concept of existential risk seems to be very apocalyptic to me. Because, on the other hand, we have technology evangelists like Tim o Reilly who say that technology will always complement the human ability and the probability of technology or AI overtaking humans sounds like science fiction to me.












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Review: The Mind Game

The Mind Game by Devika Das
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While there are plethora of books on personality development and self-help, I find this book to be unique. The author has named this book as Mind Game probably because, she used the mind as a metaphor to make the readers aware how an regulated or uncontrolled minds make us act against our self-interests; how much ever well-intentional we might be at the conscious level. Every body has aspirations and dreams, but how to make them  come true? It is by regulating your mind. And, that is what Mind Game is all about.It is the title which precisely caught my fascination and I must say it was a worthy read.The time spent with this book read will reap huge dividends if you practice at least some of the tips shared by the author Devika Das. .

This book is divided into six sections. Topics range from emotional intelligence and analyzing people to secrets of happiness and a recipe for a happy, productive workplace. Though I read lots of psychology books, in this book I find that some of the most important and intricate concepts of psychology has been explained thoroughly, and in the most lucid manner. In this way, this book becomes one of the most well-rounded books written on the development of the latent human potential written by the Indian authors.

This book is not only just rife with theories but also filled with examples. She quotes the works of credible and noteworthy psychologists such as Sigmund Freud, B.F Skinner, Eduard Spranger, Martin Seligman and Shawn Achor to name a few. I really appreciate the knowledge of the author and the pains she has taken to glean the nuggets of wisdom from various sources so that the reading audience would be immensely benefited by it.

Of all the concepts mentioned in the book, the highlight of this book is the section on Emotional Intelligence. Man is not just a thinking animal. He has emotions too. Emotions, if unregulated can hijack the rational faculty of men/women, thus landing them in trouble. Just imagine how many lives have been ruined? How many opportunities lost? How many relationships broken? And how many lives ended, just for the simple want of not able to handle the emotions properly. In that way, this book is an eye-opener. Whether one is a student, housewife, employee, entrepreneur, professional or a leader, there is a pressing need to handle the negative emotions prudently and foster the positive emotions to lead a flourishing life. The mishandling of negative emotions can lead to dissatisfied, unfulfilling lives. In that way this book is the need of the hour for youth and working professionals. Because, a great IQ may land you in a job, but to survive that job, you need to leverage on the power of EQ, and that is what this book exactly points out through various examples and interesting theories.

On a high-level, this book introduced me to the concept of emotional agnosia-the inability to read people’s emotions, commonly observed  among the schizophrenic/autistic patients. The next is Eduard Spranger’s values theory.Apart from  theories like these, this book made me introspect my own shortcomings and the steps I have to take to overcome them.Anybody who reads this book will have his life changed if at all he/she practices at least some of the tips given by the author in the book. Read this book and get ready to live a life true to your dreams. After all, it is only a ‘mind game’.









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Review: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I consider this book to be the one of the most realistic non-fiction books ever written. I say so because, the facts are written as it is, with no pseudonyms and all the real characters are portrayed as they are in the book. The author Rebecca Skloot clarifies the same point in the beginning of the book.

The book is named so because, the cells of Henrietta Lacks kept on multiplying themselves with no end. And I think the title is very apt.Henrietta Lacks cells were known as HeLa cells among the scientific community. Anybody studying biology or medicine or organic chemistry; I am sure, would be familiar with HeLa cells. Because, it has become such an integral part of the life sciences.


To start with, usually cells have the tendency to multiply themselves. After a certain point they begin to degenerate into non-existence or die per se. But, the lady Henrietta Lacks' cells were an exception. They keep on multiplying and multiplying and there seem to be no limit to it.The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is the story of a woman who died of cervical cancer, and whose cells were taken by the medical practitioners of John Hopkins(the hospital in which she was admitted fo treatmen).


This book has two aspects:the impact of HeLa cells on the life sciences and the scientific community, and the deplorable private lives of the Lacks family.If Deborah, the daughter of Henrietta Lacks had not co-operated, this book would not have had come into existence at all.

The book starts with how, the author Rebecca Skloot came to know about the HeLa cells in one of her biology classes, and how that small hint whetted her curiosity to know more about the HeLa cells made her trace the family of Henrietta Lacks. Initially the family was reluctant to meet anybody inquiring about the HeLa cells. Through her persistence and genuine sincerity to make HeLa cells’ story known to the world, she gains the trust of Deborah, the daughter of Henrietta.From then on, the quest to make Henrietta Lacks known to the world begins.

HeLa cells even now continue to have enormous impact in various fields of medicine such as histology, oncology, epidemiology, oncology etc to name a few.This book is also rife with, how the doctors, without the consent of Henrietta or her family cultured her cells in laboratories, which gave rise to a billion dollar cell culture industry. It is deplorable that, while the pharmaceutical companies were making billions out of her cells, the Lacks’ family were wallowing in poverty and did not have even health insurance in times of need.

The Henrietta’s comparison to Jesus in the one of the final chapters of the book is very apt. Just as Jesus died to save the world, Henrietta left this world  with her cells as a gift to the humanity so that we can be saved from some of the most deadly diseases and syndromes and other pathological conditions  plaguing us since the dawn of civilization.Long live HeLa cells, and may Henrietta’s soul rest in peace!

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Review: Death Is Not the Answer: Understanding Suicide and the Ways to Prevent It

Death Is Not the Answer: Understanding Suicide and the Ways to Prevent It by Anjali Chhabria
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Believe it or not, India is the suicide capital of the world. Out of every 3 suicides committed in the world, 1 happens in India which is appalling. Kudos to Dr Anjali Chhabria for having penned down such a book of great importance. Suicide is a topic which no one talks about, because there is so much stigma around the topic of mental illness and suicide. Another pathetic fact is that most of the people who commit suicide in India are the youth between the 15-29 age bracket. I am wondering how many lives could have been saved if this book was written 10 years back.

Death is Not the Answer is the most holistic book that I have ever come across on the subject of mental illness and suicide. Anjali has done a great job at explaining the origins of suicidal tendencies in us. In most of the cases, impulsive suicide is rare. Most of the people who commit suicide give clues, which should not go unheard or taken lightly. She starts the book by giving a great historical background of suicide dating back to as much as 2500 years, citing the examples from the scriptures of various religions and history.

The case studies that are given in this book are her own patients' stories.It is frightening to note that even a 6 year old girl disclosed suicidal thoughts during one of the play therapy sessions with her, just because, her elder brother was given more preference by her parents when it comes to milk. It was hair raising to read other stories as well.Ranging from break-ups and dysfunctional family relationships to drug and alcohol abuse this book has it all

Major Depressive disorder is believed to be the major culprit in driving people to commit suicide. But that is not the only one. Various other disorders such as Psychosis;be it Schizophrenia or bipolar, untreated Generalized Anxiety Disorder, PTSD(Post Ttraumatic Stress Disorder), Body Dysmorphic disorder and other personality disorders can also prompt a person to take the drastic step of ending one's life.

The book also talks about the neurobiology of suicide. She talks about the 'suicide circuitry' in the brain.Yes, some are prone to suicide than others . The neurotransmitter serotonin has a great role to play in the committing of suicide. She explains how using the fMRI technology the neuro scientists have observed hyper activity in the medial pre-frontal cortex, which leads to excessive rumination if unchecked can lead to suicide. Also the hippocampus becomes smaller as the neurons die due to severe suicidal depression. She also explains how genetics also plays a role in the suicide. For an instance, a mutation in the SKA2 gene can make one person more vulnerable or susceptible to suicide.

The cognitive triad of worthlessness, helplessness and hopelessness propounded by the great Aaron Beck was very interesting to know. It takes all the 3 aforementioned features to force a person to commit suicide. Also I came to know about the Beck's suicide intent scale. I did not know before that there are questionnaires to assess the risk of suicide in a patient.There are various degrees of risk of suicide ranging from minimal, mild and moderate to severe and extreme.

Medicines are not the only resort for people with suicide tendencies.Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectic Behavior therapy(especially in case of borderline personality) , mindfulness meditation and other forms of counselling are some of the options available to explore, based on the severity of the case. This book is filled with lot of hope for people suffering from mental illness.


On a final note, I want to say that, this book is the need of the hour in India. I wish Dr Anjali Chhabria comes with more books like this. This book is for everybody who want to help their friends or loved one's or themselves even to cope up with the psychological problems. Life is meant to be lived, and a precious life cannot be wasted by committing suicide just because we are going through some storms. Thank you!

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Review: A First-Rate Madness: Uncovering the Links Between Leadership and Mental Illness

A First-Rate Madness: Uncovering the Links Between Leadership and Mental Illness by S. Nassir Ghaemi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the most interesting book that I have ever read on the link between psychopathology and leadership. I have always been interested in exploring the relationship between creativity and genius. But I always thought that the leaders are immune to psychopathology of any kind. Because, that is what makes them leaders in the first place. You need to have a robust mental health to be a leader and influence people. But, I was shocked and amused at the same time to learn that even some of the greatest leaders of the world are not an exception.

The basic premise of the book is this: normal times need normal leaders and abnormal times need abnormal leaders( though not categorically).I will explain you how in the coming paragraphs. He starts off the book by giving the example of William Tecumseh Sherman who was an alcoholic to the core. He is suspected to have been bipolar going by the correspondence he has done with his friends and colleagues of his times. He was also paranoid to some extent and a chain smoker. But what set him apart from his colleagues was the ability to see things in their true light. That made him tactfully superior to his rivals during the civil war and emerge victorious.I am not saying that it is his psychosis and addictions that made him a legendary strategist of the american civil war. But I am trying to point out that it is his acumen to take a stock of the situation correctly that made him so, and that was hugely influenced by his psychopathology.

Mood disorders in particular such as depression and bipolar, apart from the discomfort, pain and dysfunction that they would bring in a person affected with a particular disorder also carry certain
benign characteristics, if heeded to, would help the person not only elevate his own life but also that of others for whom he is responsible for leading and showing the way. Nassir Ghaemi points out the concept of 'depressive realism'- the ability to see the things as they are, instead of how they should be. This can especially be crucial in times of a crisis.

If you take depression for instance, it is observed that people with depression have a heightened sense of empathy and they are hyper realistic. This is what makes them miserable in the first place. Giving the example of Abraham Lincoln, he points out that Abe Lincoln was of melancholic disposition. In today's terms he would be given the diagnostic label of a chronic depressive. It is his very depression which made him identify with the pathetic state of the slavery existing in his times, and tough stand against it. And, he was right. Without his depressive realism, America would have been a house divided against itself.

Not only realism and empathy, but creativity and resilience are also one of the characteristics of the mood disorders such as bipolar. He points out how the realistic Winston Churchill has been ringing the alarm bell against the rise of Hitler since 1930's. Winston Churchill must have been a unipolar depressive for sure, according to Nassir Ghaemi . It is his realistic assessment of the crisis which made him stick to his guns, though he had nothing to offer but blood,toil, sweat and tears. With his persistence, he saved the free world from the impending Nazi doomsday.Hitler, according to him was a Bipolar whose condition worsened due to the abuse of amphetamines. No wonder his ideologies were so flawed. Very convincing Nassir!

Mood disorders are not ' either or' phenomenon. They exist on a continuum. People like Frank Delano Roosevelt and John F Kennedy were hyperthymics- a kind of personality where the person is always happy and resilient at all times. That's how Frank Delano Roosevelt could face his polio crisis and John.F. Kennedy his host of illnesses which was not known to many. Gandhi, according to Nassir was a dysthymic. Meaning, his personality was prone to persistent sadness. That's what made him empathetic towards the sad plight of the Indians, and initiate the freedom struggle.

All in all I learnt a lot from this book.

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