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Explaining Humans

What Science Can Teach Us About Life, Love and Relationships

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Explaining Humans

By: Camilla Pang
Narrated by: Camilla Pang
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

WINNER OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INSIGHT INVESTMENT SCIENCE BOOK PRIZE 2020

Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of eight, Dr Camilla Pang struggled to understand the world around her. Desperate for a solution, Camilla asked her mother if there was an instruction manual for humans that she could consult. But, without the blueprint to life she was hoping for, Camilla began to create her own. Now armed with a PhD in biochemistry, Camilla dismantles our obscure social customs and identifies what it really means to be human using her unique expertise and a language she knows best: science.

Through a set of scientific principles, this book examines life's everyday interactions including: Decisions and the route we take to make them; Conflict and how we can avoid it; Relationships and how we establish them; Etiquette and how we conform to it.

Explaining Humans is an original and incisive exploration of human nature and the strangeness of social norms, written from the outside looking in. Camilla's unique perspective of the world, in turn, tells us so much about ourselves - about who we are and why we do it - and is a fascinating guide on how to lead a more connected, happier life.

© Camilla Pang 2020 (P) Penguin Audio 2020

 Anthropology Biological Sciences Biology Child Psychology Children's Health Developmental Psychology Mental Health Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Science Health

Critic Reviews

Unveiling hidden complexities of human behaviour, this book navigates a mind-bending topic with incisiveness and lucidity
This vital memoir illuminates the power of being on the autism spectrum
This book is truly exceptional. Applying science to the problems of human relationships, the perils of perfectionism and the pitfalls of social etiquette, Millie has written a joyous, funny and hugely insightful text for all of us - whether neurotypical or neurodiverse. This 'Outsiders Guide to the Human Race' is warm, witty and a joy to read.
Thoughtful, incisive and important: this is a must-read for an accessible education in human understanding. It blew my mind!
Whether neurodiverse or neurotypical, Pang's witty account is a must-read for anyone who wants to broaden their understanding of life beyond what society defines as the 'norm'
Camilla's book is an accessible guide to scientific concepts that is humorous and engaging
A scientific blueprint of human nature and all its bizarre social norms
An easy-to-read part-memoir, part-explanation of why humans are the way they are and what we can learn from it
All stars
Most relevant
it's an entertaining (for the geeks alike) self-help book for the people who find themselves not quite fitting in. Of course, I'm sure that it would be helpful for the people who have similar conditions as the author herself.

self-help for the geeks and socially awkward

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Loved the weaving of scientific analogy with personal experience. As the mother of Aspies, and a health profesh, this is a whole new world of info and explanation, and one that I’ll revisit frequently:)

Beautiful account

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this Was a very difficult book to digest. it contains both not enough story and not enough science to be entertaining or informative. I can't recommend it

difficult

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i was expecting a book worthy of winning a science book price but it read more like a self help book for teemagers. definitelty not a book with much scientic substance. if ur looking for an autobiography of a young female scientist this book is for u. if ur an adult and want to read and learn some great science - look elsewhere. sorry feel bad - sorry to say.

not bad for a high school reader

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