What We Are Reading Today: ‘Why We Sleep’

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Updated 24 August 2024
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Why We Sleep’

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  • He elaborates on the latest research data on sleep functions, revealing how it can enhance memory, strengthen the immune system and improve innovative thinking

Author: Matthew Walker

In “Why We Sleep,” Matthew Walker discusses the significant role of sleep in our physical and mental health.

Writing about the results of decades of research, Walker, a professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California and director of the San Francisco Center for Human Sleep Science, reflects on common myths about sleep and makes appealing arguments for its importance.

The spread of sleep deprivation in modern life has become alarming. Many people may not be aware of its long-term consequences, which is one of the main ideas that Walker emphasizes in this book.

He presents scientific evidence explaining how chronic sleep loss leaves devastating impacts not only on health but also our on cognitive function and longevity.

From the risk of developing serious health issues such as cancer to the lack of ability to make decisions and emotional regulation, he argues that people should not neglect the need to sleep.

Walker’s ability to translate complex concepts into understandable, compelling stories is impressive; whether explaining the complex neural mechanisms underlying sleep or the fascinating evolutionary history of the sleep-wake cycle, his writing style is clear, effective and engaging.

He also elaborates on the latest research data on sleep functions, revealing how it can enhance memory, strengthen the immune system and improve innovative thinking.

Walker also sheds light on the mysterious world of dreams, suggesting that they might play a major role in emotional processing and problem-solving.  

By emphasizing the vital importance of sleep in our lives, Walker encourages his readers to prioritize this important aspect of their health.

Whether you are a sleep-deprived student, a busy employee, or someone interested in the depth of the human mind, “Why We Sleep” is informative and helpful.

 

 


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Naturekind’

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Naturekind’
Updated 14 April 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Naturekind’

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Naturekind’

Authors: Melissa Leach & James Fairhead

Are language and culture uniquely human, justifying an exceptionalism that sets people apart from the rest of nature?

New discoveries in the biological sciences have challenged this assumption, finding syntax, symbolism and social learning beyond the human, and identifying culture as a second inheritance system across the phyla from whales to insects and plants.

Biologists are constrained, however, by the mechanistic ways communication is understood.


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Contemporary Kingdom’

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Updated 14 April 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Contemporary Kingdom’

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  • Physically substantial, the book feels symbolic — like a literal building block in the ongoing construction of Saudi Arabia’s artistic future

The new edition of “Contemporary Kingdom” is a lush green coffee table volume that is more than worthy of the space it occupies.

Building on the original 2014 release, the new edition offers a sweeping insight into one of the world’s most dynamic art scenes. With expanded coverage, it dives deep into the Kingdom’s bold and vibrant creative landscape through essays and detailed profiles of contemporary Saudi artists.

This expanded volume charts the evolution of Saudi Arabia’s art scene. It highlights visionary artists, pivotal moments and cultural shifts that have pushed the Kingdom onto the global art stage.

From historical context to groundbreaking contemporary movements, the book captures a transformative journey in motion.

Physically substantial, the book feels symbolic — like a literal building block in the ongoing construction of Saudi Arabia’s artistic future.

Featuring a foreword by Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah, Part 1 is titled “The Ecosystem” and includes essays by notable Saudi voices such as Ashraf Fagih and Dalal Majed, alongside international contributors.

Part 2 presents profiles of 55 Saudi artists, complete with suggestions for further reading.

Launched by Canvas Magazine in collaboration with the Visual Arts Commission under the Ministry of Culture, the book made its debut during the inaugural Art Week Riyadh, which ended on April 13.

“Contemporary Kingdom, Second Edition” is available for purchase at the Riyadh Art Building in JAX, Diriyah, adjacent to the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art, through the end of May.

 


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Living Matter’ by Alex J. Levine

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Living Matter’ by Alex J. Levine
Updated 13 April 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Living Matter’ by Alex J. Levine

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Living Matter’ by Alex J. Levine

The frontiers of physics can seem impossibly remote — located in the invisible quantum realm or the farthest reaches of the cosmos. But one of physics’ most exciting frontiers lies much closer than we realize: within our own bodies and other living organisms, which display astonishingly intricate structural patterns and dynamic processes that we don’t yet understand.

In “Living Matter,” leading biophysicist Alex Levine explains why unraveling the mysteries of life may ultimately demand a new physics — one that takes full account of the fundamental differences between living and nonliving matter.


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Games for Your Mind’

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Games for Your Mind’
Updated 12 April 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Games for Your Mind’

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Games for Your Mind’

Author: Jason Rosenhouse

Logic puzzles were first introduced to the public by Lewis Carroll in the late 19th century and have been popular ever since.

Games like Sudoku and Mastermind are fun and engrossing recreational activities, but they also share deep foundations in mathematical logic and are worthy of serious intellectual inquiry. 

“Games for Your Mind” explores the history and future of logic puzzles while enabling you to test your skill against a variety of puzzles yourself.


What We Are Reading Today: The Thinking Machine

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Updated 11 April 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: The Thinking Machine

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  • It explores Huang’s leadership style—described as single-minded and relentless—and his ability to defy Wall Street skepticism to push a radical computing vision, making him one of the wealthiest and most influential figures in Silicon Valley

Author: Stephen Witt

“The Thinking Machine” is the story of how Nvidia evolved to supplying hundred-million-dollar supercomputers.
It is a biography that dives into the rise of Nvidia and its CEO, Jensen Huang, focusing on their pivotal role in the AI revolution.
The book highlights Huang’s bold vision, particularly his early bet on AI over a decade ago, which transformed Nvidia from a maker of video game components into a powerhouse supplying massive supercomputers for AI applications like hyper-realistic avatars, autonomous robots, and self-driving cars.
It explores Huang’s leadership style—described as single-minded and relentless—and his ability to defy Wall Street skepticism to push a radical computing vision, making him one of the wealthiest and most influential figures in Silicon Valley.
Through unprecedented access to Huang, his friends, his investors, and his employees, Stephen Witt documents for the first time the company’s epic rise and its single-minded and ferocious leader, now one of Silicon Valley’s most influential figures.

Witt is an American journalist and author known for his narrative-driven, deeply reported works on technology, culture, and innovation.

Witt’s style is noted for its clarity, wit, and ability to make dense topics accessible without sacrificing depth.