Brain Maker: Book Review

7/10

Eat more kimchi and you will live forever. If only this was true! ;)

I literally just finished this audio book as I was pulling into my driveway with an immunologist (my wife) in the passenger seat...what a coincidence!

The major reason I don't give this book a higher rating is because I can't verify all of the scientific assertions and conclusions. Listening to this audio book as a non-scientist, it all sounds legitimate since he lists scientific papers and such.

Another reason is that the author makes it sound like his diet suggestions are a cure-all for almost any ailment or disease you may encounter - even going so far as suggest altering your gut microbiome can cure ADHD and even very serious diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

BUT, this is an amazing book nonetheless and I think everyone should read it. He does go into the detailed science, but not far enough to lose the layman. I know for a fact there is TONS of current research on this subject and that fecal matter transplants (FMT) have been proven to be successful.

It's time to add several pro gut bacteria foods to my diet! And apparently filter my tap water for chlorine and avoid antibiotics at all costs.

Relevant article:
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2019/02/24/696272090/cultured-a-look-at-how-foods-can-help-the-microbes-inside-us-thrive

Epistory - Typing Chronicles: Video Game Review

Dork score: 9/10

This is a beautiful and extremely unique adventure game. You progress through a somewhat elusive story line entirely by typing out letters and words to defeat monsters.

This game doesn't teach you how to type, but will exercise your typing ability and force you type faster in order to progress through the game.

I thought I was pretty good at typing, but I did die several times for failing to type fast enough. You will also need to multitask by switching your spell casting to defeat different types of monsters. I was happy to see this game pose quite a challenge.

I do wish the story was a bit more fleshed out, but overall I was not disappointed. What a gem!

http://store.steampowered.com/app/398850/Epistory__Typing_Chronicles/

Walden & Civil Disobedience: Book Review

Dork score: 6/10

I liked it, but I have mixed feelings. 

To describe it briefly, this was a poetic, beautifully written snooze fest with some interesting ideas about how to live simply. He can seem very condescending, especially when he spouts his Latin expressions, but I don't think he means to be.

I 'read' this as an audio book, so I may have missed some of the finer points, so I may re-read a physical copy of this in the future - but probably not.