A book review: Muses, Madmen, and Prophets

One of the first things I remember about writing is that you are supposed to identify your audience. In this case, who might be interested in reading this book? So I think you will like this book if you are interested in any of the following: Religion, Philosophy, Linguistics, Mental Health, Neurology, Art, History, or Bathroom Humor (okay that last one is just to get a select few people to read further; you know who you are). If none of this applies then you are free to move on.

I picked up Muses, Madmen, and Prophets: Rethinking the History, Science, and Meaning of Auditory Hallucination, by Daniel B. Smith at a used bookstore, because I'm a nerd who likes to read about things I deal with at work, even in my free time. The reason I think this book works is that the author, a journalist by profession, mixes his personal experience living with a father who heard voices with a pretty impressive and thorough reading of science, history, and philosophy. He examines historical figures including Socrates, Joan of Arc, several of the Old Testament prophets, and many others. He also talks with several people who hear voices and does a good job describing their experience. Most of the subject matter returns to the same question; is hearing voices always indicative of mental illness?

After reading this book I felt more knowledgeable in all the areas I mentioned above. I think the book advances a more compassionate view of mental illness, while also acknowledging how our attitudes towards those who hear voices might be biased by a narrow view of this experience. Also, if you follow the link above you will find that the book is on sale at Amazon.com for less that $4. Not sure how you can beat that. If you read it or have read it, feel free to leave some comments below.

Unneccessary Description Added to Pop Tarts (Re-Post)

I just have a little time to kill, so I thought I'd tell you about further evidence I've gathered that suggests that marketing (and not Neo-Con politics) will be the downfall of our country. I was scrounging through my mom's cabinets today, looking for something good to put in my tummy. It was early, so I was thinking breakfasty thoughts, but had nothing in mind. I stumbled across what I thought was an old staple - Pop Tarts. Pop Tarts are no culinary delicacy, but they have been the beginning to many days for me over the years. But much to my surprise, these were not the Pop Tarts I grew up with. These Pop Tarts were...to go! That's right, they took those big cumbersome packages the size of one of my hands and made it much easier to carry by making it half the size of one of my hands. Now I can get my fingers all the way around it! This is ridiculous people. Pop Tarts have always been "to go", that's why I bought them. They fit easily into most jacket pockets, backpacks, and (though I don't know from experience) purses. It's portable breakfast. But somebody who gets paid entirely too much decided it would be a good idea to repackage them in even smaller form, and tell the world that, finally, they could leave their home without leaving their Pop Tart behind. And do you know why this happened? Because some executive at Kellogs has to justify their outrageous salary by getting more money out of people's pockets while actually giving them LESS. And I know, people should learn to be smart shoppers and not get fooled by this stuff (mom!), but I am just baffled by the process that produces these useless products. Alright, I'm going to stop before I end up giving a lecture on economics that I'm not really qualified to give.