5 Books to Make You Smarter

People read books for reasons including passing time by keeping them occupied. Some readers have favorite books. However, the choice of a book depends on the taste of the individual. Despite the choice of books, studies show that people who read widely are smarter. This is because reading helps people grow their vocabulary, knowledge of the world and opens up their levels of thinking.

Are lost on the books to read? Here are certain books that will definitely make you smarter:

Einstein’s Fridge: How the Difference Between Hot and Cold Explains the Universe by Paul Sen

This book is not only entertaining but also quite informative. It tells the story of scientists behind the theory of thermodynamics. Thermodynamics is a branch of physics dealing with energy and entropy. The theory explains every aspect of the world for both living and non-living things. Some of the areas covered in the theory include the behavior of cells, the limitation of computing and how the end of the universe. The book gives an account of different scientists in all branches of science including cosmologists, mathematics, engineers, chemists, biologists and physicists. These big names include: French military engineer and physicist Sadi Carnot, Stephen Hawking, Alan Turing, Emmy Noether, Albert Einstein, Lord Kelvin and James Joule.

Wiser: The Scientific Roots of Wisdom, Compassion and What Makes us Good by Dilip Jeste and Scott Lafee

This book gives research based findings by UC San Diego neuropsychiatrist Dilip Jeste on how you can be wiser. As it turns out from his findings, wisdom is not a gift for the few but anyone can be wiser. The book explores the psychology and neurobiology of wisdom by analyzing both the biological and cognitive aspect. From his multicultural studies, the Doctor unveils the qualities of wise people. Some of these qualities as explained in his book include empathy and compassion among others. The authors also explain how we can use wisdom to overcome the present day challenges such as suicides, different addictions and loneliness. By reading this book you, will learn how you can grow in wisdom and use it to overcome the problems you encounter everyday to achieve your utmost potential.

The code breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing and the Future of the Human Race by Walter Isaacson

The writer of the book, Walter Isaacson is also the best selling author of the Steve Jobs and Leonardo Da Vinci. The code breaker gives an account of the events behind the works of the Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna and her colleagues. It highlights how they worked towards a revolutionary innovation for curing diseases and fending off viruses.

Seven and Half Lessons About the Brain by Lisa Feldman Barrett

The author of this book, Lisa Feldman Barrett is a Renowned neuroscientist. By reading her book, you get to understand where brains originate, and their structure. Also covered in this book is how the different brains work together to bring about feelings and sensation.

Hidden Habits of Genius: Beyond Talent IQ and Grit Unlocking the Secrets of Greatness by Craig Wright

The author of this book, professor Craig Wright is also the creator the Genius Course at Yale University. In his book, the professor digs deeper into the 14 traits of geniuses, some of which include maladjustment to obsession and curiosity. From reading the book, you get to understand how you can learn from the brilliant minds that revolutionized the world.

To wrap up, there are so many good books and we just selected a few that would be a major source of knowledge. If you are looking to increase your levels of knowledge on major areas of life, why not try out some of these amazing books?

Ryan Reynolds: Why Free Guy is more than a ‘video game movie’

Though Ryan Reynolds’ summer blockbuster Free Guy is set in a video game, this movie goes above and beyond the console.

What is the plot?

Set in Free City (which is the fictional backdrop of a popular video game), this film explores the life of Guy (a very normal, ordinary bank clerk). Guy learns to question the world around him, learning about his identity as a background character in a video game. Whilst other characters are operated by humans in the “real world”, Guy’s existence consists of repetitive menial routines. This is because he is a non-playable character.

No matter what happens to Guy during the day (whether he is injured, robbed at gunpoint, or simply engages in small talk with his barista) each morning is a fresh start and remnants of the previous day are wiped away.

Notably, Guy is the only non-playable character that is able to think for himself. As time goes by, he meets a Molotov girl (operated by a human in the “real world” named Millie) and communication begins. Millie supports Guy in finding out more about the fictional world around him. In turn, Guy is drawn in to challenge Antwan (Free City’s creator, a profit-chasing video gamer owner who stole Millie’s coding and Internet Protocol).

Why does it matter?

The film is certainly, in part, about video games. The Telegraph’s Ed Power notes that “Video gaming culture has a wide puerile streak, and Free Guy isn’t afraid to lean into it.” Molly Freeman from Screen Rant is in agreement, describing that Free Guy is “the best video game movie ever.”

However, there is more to it. “It’s interesting to me,” Reynolds adds. “Everybody says ‘it’s a movie based on a video game’. I really don’t think Free Guy is a video game movie. That’s like saying Titanic is a movie about boatmanship.

“It’s a movie about so much more. But I loved the narrow target we had to hit to create a world which felt authentic to gamers and then still smuggles this other story into that.”

And that story is about mutual respect, teamwork, and pride. Even a quick look at Ryan Reynolds’ YouTube campaign relating to this film tells you just that. In a video entitled ‘Best Supporting Actors‘, Reynolds shines a light on the film’s extras, and on the passions that make up the mosaic of their lives. ‘You know what? No ones in the background,’ sаys background actor Brandon Scales.

Although this film is set in a video game and reflects on pertinent issues in the technology sphere, it also touches on an aspect important to all of us: mutual respect and recognition. As Guy’s story shows, even a very ordinary background character has a winding story to uncover and a vital role to play.