Software for the Brain

"We live in a society surrounded by software. Not just in our computers: our mobile phones, VCRs, cars, vending machines, even dishwashers are all increasingly software-driven. But Michael Hewitt-Gleeson has taken the concept a step further. In his new book, Software For The Brain, Dr Hewitt-Gleeson argues that our brain can be programmed just as a computer - or a dishwasher - can. Furthermore, he argues that our brains, or "necktop computers", have been infected by a virus, the same sort of virus that computers get infected with from time to time. On my PC I have a virus-scanner to detect and clean-up computer viruses; Software For The Brain gives you a mental virus scanner to help your brain work better. Dr Hewitt-Gleeson argues that Western society has been infected by something he calls the Plato Truth Virus - the idea that there is such a thing as the "right" answer in any given situation. One thing that the Internet quite clearly shows us is that there is always an alternative viewpoint, but we don't get taught this in school, it's seldom understood in the workplace, and just try explaining your alternate viewpoint to a parking warden! Software For The Brain explains the concept of the Plato Truth Virus, and how it affects our lives, in clear, simple, layman's terms. You don't have to understand anything about software or thinking to make sense of this book. Hewitt-Gleeson then provides readers with a number of mental exercises that encourage you to stop thinking about the world in black and white terms, and instead view thinking as a process of objectively considering a number of alternatives, which lets you make decisions rationally and free of prejudice. Michael Hewitt-Gleeson differs from other cognitive scientists like Edward De Bono, his former mentor, because he can be succinct. He makes his points quickly, simply, and accessibly, and the result is a book that will expand anyone's mental capacity, and maybe even give you a whole new outlook on your life." - reader's review.