Sam Kean Quotes

Writer

Sam Kean is an American science writer known for his engaging narratives on the history of science. He has authored several bestselling books, including 'The Disappearing Spoon,' 'The Violinist's Thumb,' and 'The Ice Age Cave Man.' His works explore topics in physics, biology, chemistry, and medicine, making complex scientific concepts accessible to general readers. Kean's writing style is humorous and insightful, earning him critical acclaim and a wide readership. He also contributes to major publications like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Scientific American. His books have been translated into over 20 languages, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in popular science writing.

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Famous Sam Kean Quotes

“This hinted at something that no one had ever suspected -- that the brain tracks moving things more easily that still things. We have a built-in bias toward detecting action. Why? Because it's probably more critical for animals to spot moving things (predators, prey, falling trees) than static things, which can wait. In fact, our vision is so biased toward movement that we don't technically see stationary objects at all. To see something stationary, our brains have to scribble our eyes subtly over its surface. Experiments have even proven that if you artificially stabilize an image on the retina with a combination of special contact lenses and microelectronics, the image will vanish.”

Brain Vision Illusion Bias Neuroscience Optical Illusion Neuro

Book:The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons: The History of the Human Brain as Revealed by True Stories of Trauma, Madness, and Recovery

Source: The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons: The History of the Human Brain as Revealed by True Stories of Trauma, Madness, and Recovery

“Lithium tweaks many mood-altering chemicals in the brain, and its effects are complicated. Most interesting, lithium seems to reset the body’s circadian rhythm, its inner clock. In normal people, ambient conditions, especially the sun, dictate their humors and determine when they are tuckered out for the day. They’re on a twenty-four-hour cycle. Bipolar people run on cycles independent of the sun. And run and run.”

Source: The Disappearing Spoon...and other true tales from the Periodic Table