Neuroscience resources

Today let me introduce you to some neuroscience resources I’ve found useful.

Mind Hacks is a website linked to the popular book of the same name, by Tom Stafford and Matt Webb. It’s readable, fun, and informative. These guys must be good, since they were smart enough to introduce Numenware to their readers.

Although not specifically about neuroscience, The Loom is a general-interest science blog by Carl Zimmer, a popular science writer whose most recent book is Soul Made Flesh, an account of the origins of neurology in 17th century. This site is far from mere daily musings: each article is well-researched and well-written but not too long. My favorite recent article is one on the fantastic diversity of beetle horns and how they evolved. Carl is really leveraging the blog format in an interesting way to extend the ways in which he can get his ideas out and connect with readers.

Carl’s critical review of Dean Hamer’s The God Gene is worth a look.

Scientific American Mind is an irregularly published new magazine whose subtitle is “Thought, Ideas, Brain Science”. The most recent issue has interesting articles on topics such as sign language, and how it is parsed and generarated using Wernicke’s and Broca’s areas, just like spoken language; neurolinguistic programming; Koch’s consciousness research; neuromarketing; and magnetic brain stimulation, with today’s most disturbing factoid: a DoD project to develop a TMS helmet that will animate exhausted soldiers back into battle.

Scientific American desperately needs a new web strategy. They think the web is nothing more than a way for people to buy articles for $3 each, after being allowed to read one or two paragraphs. I don’t think so. At least put some content up to make the site more bookmarkable and visitable. Or start a blog.

One Response to “Neuroscience resources”

  1. French Leave Says:

    I hope you are aware of the SciAm editors’ weblog.

    p.s. I got introduced to Numenware via Mind Hacks.

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