A collection of brain teasers, puzzles, optical illusions, IQ tests, trivia challenges, and math tests designed to help people improve their brain power.

How is it that a patch of flickering light on a wall can produce experiences that engage our imaginations and can feel totally real? From the vertigo of a skydive to the emotional charge of an unexpected victory or defeat, movies give us some of our most vivid experiences and most lasting memories. They reshape our emotions and worldviews--but why? In Flicker, Jeff Zacks delves into the history of cinema and the latest research to explain what happens between your ears when you sit down in the theatre and the lights go out. Some of the questions Flicker answers: Why do we flinch when Rocky takes a punch in Sylvester Stallone's movies, duck when the jet careens towards the tower in Airplane, and tap our toes to the dance numbers in Chicago or Moulin Rouge? Why do so many of us cry at the movies? What's the difference between remembering what happened in a movie and what happened in real life--and can we always tell the difference? To answer these questions and more, Flicker gives us an engaging, fast-paced look at what happens in your head when you watch a movie.

In those times when we want to acquire a new skill or face a formidable challenge we hope to overcome, what we need most are patience, focus, and discipline, traits that seem elusive or difficult to maintain. In this enticing and practical book, Thomas Sterner demonstrates how to learn skills for any aspect of life, from golfing to business to parenting, by learning to love the process. Early life is all about trial-and-error practice. If we had given up in the face of failure, repetition, and difficulty, we would never have learned to walk or tie our shoes. So why, as adults, do we often give up on a goal when at first we don’t succeed? Modern life’s technological speed, habitual multitasking, and promises of instant gratification don’t help. But in his study of how we learn (prompted by his pursuit of disciplines such as music and golf), Sterner has found that we have also forgotten the principles of practice — the process of picking a goal and applying steady effort to reach it. The methods Sterner teaches show that practice done properly isn’t drudgery on the way to mastery but a fulfilling process in and of itself, one that builds discipline and clarity. By focusing on “process, not product,” you’ll learn to live in each moment, where you’ll find calmness and equanimity. This book will transform a sense of futility around learning something challenging into an attitude of pleasure and willingness.

What impact can video games have on us as players? How does psychology influence video game creation? Why do some games become cultural phenomena? The Psychology of Video Games introduces the curious reader to the relationship between psychology and video games from the perspective of both game makers and players. Assuming no specialist knowledge, this concise, approachable guide is a starter book for anyone intrigued by what makes video games engaging and what is their psychological impact on gamers. It digests the research exploring the benefits gaming can have on players in relation to education and healthcare, considers the concerns over potential negative impacts such as pathological gaming, and concludes with some ethics considerations. With gaming being one of the most popular forms of entertainment today, The Psychology of Video Games shows the importance of understanding the human brain and its mental processes to foster ethical and inclusive video games.

What happens when media and politics become forms of entertainment? As our world begins to look more and more like Orwell's 1984, Neil's Postman's essential guide to the modern media is more relevant than ever. "It's unlikely that Trump has ever read Amusing Ourselves to Death, but his ascent would not have surprised Postman.” -CNN Originally published in 1985, Neil Postman’s groundbreaking polemic about the corrosive effects of television on our politics and public discourse has been hailed as a twenty-first-century book published in the twentieth century. Now, with television joined by more sophisticated electronic media—from the Internet to cell phones to DVDs—it has taken on even greater significance. Amusing Ourselves to Death is a prophetic look at what happens when politics, journalism, education, and even religion become subject to the demands of entertainment. It is also a blueprint for regaining control of our media, so that they can serve our highest goals. “A brilliant, powerful, and important book. This is an indictment that Postman has laid down and, so far as I can see, an irrefutable one.” –Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post Book World

Feed Your Brain Tastier than a twizzler yet more protein-packed than a spinach smoothie, Brain Candy is guaranteed to entertain your brain—even as it reveals hundreds of secrets behind what’s driving that electric noodle inside your skull. These delicious and nutritious pages are packed with bits of bite-sized goodness swiped from the bleeding edge of brain science (including the reason why reading these words is changing your hippocampus at this very moment!) Shelved alongside these succulent neurological nuggets are challenging puzzles and paradoxes, eye-opening perception tests and hacks, fiendish personality quizzes and genius testers, and a grab bag of recurring treats including Eye Hacks, Algebraic Eight Ball, iDread, Wild Kingdom, and Logic of Illogic. Should you look between these covers and inhale the deliciously cherry-flavored scents of knowledge within, you will grow your grey matter while discovering: • Why you should be writing bad poetry • The simple keys to brain training • What trust smells like • The origins of human morality • Why expensive wine always tastes better • The truth about brain sweat • How your diet might be making you dumb • The secrets of game theory • Why economists hate psychology • The mental benefits of coffee and cigarettes • How to really spot a liar • Why you can’t make me eat pie • The benefits of daydreaming • Four simple secrets to persuasion • Why your barin’s fzzuy ligoc alowls you to raed this • How to brainwash friends and family • The science of body language • What pigeons know about art …And much, much more.

Thought Power: Power Of Happy Thoughts by Sri Swami Sivananda: In this spiritual guide, Sri Swami Sivananda imparts wisdom on harnessing the transformative power of positive thinking. The book emphasizes the role of our thoughts in shaping our reality and offers practical techniques for cultivating a positive mindset, leading to a happier and more fulfilling life. Through ancient wisdom and timeless teachings, readers are encouraged to embrace the power of optimism and gratitude. Key Aspects of the Book “Thought Power: Power of Happy Thoughts”: Unlock the potential of positive thinking in transforming your life. Embrace spiritual teachings to cultivate happiness and contentment. Learn practical techniques for maintaining a positive mindset amidst life's challenges. Thought Power: Power of Happy Thoughts by Sri Swami Sivananda is a comprehensive guide to the power of positive thinking and self-empowerment. This life-changing book provides readers with the tools to unlock their inner potential and improve their mental wellbeing. From positive affirmations to inner peace, Sri Swami Sivananda reveals the power of happy thoughts, optimism, and self-transformation. With guidance on cultivating a positive mindset, building self-belief, and developing a positive attitude, readers will be equipped with the necessary techniques to improve their mental strength, tap into positive energy, and realize their full potential. Thought Power: Power Of Happy Thoughts is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to spark a journey of self-improvement, self-awareness, self-motivation, self-positivity, and self-actualization.