Extreme Fear: The Science of Your Mind in Danger (MacSci)

Fear is a mysterious force. It sabotages our ability to think clearly and can drive us to blind panic, yet it can also give us superhuman speed, strength, and powers of perception. Having baffled mankind for ages, fear is now yielding its secrets to scientific inquiry. The simple model of "fight or flight"--that people respond to danger either by fleeing in terror or staying to fight through it--has been replaced by a more complex understanding of the fear response. Veteran science journalist Jeff Wise delves into the latest research to produce an astonishing portrait of the brain's hidden fear pathways. Wise, who writes the "I'll Try Anything" column for __Popular Mechanics__, favors a hands-on approach, volunteering to jump out of an airplane while wearing sensors and to endure a four-hour simulated missile attack on a Navy destroyer. He returns with a tale that combines lucid explanations of brain dynamics with gripping, true-life stories of mortal danger: we watch a woman defend herself against a mountain lion attack in a remote canyon; we witness a couple desperately fighting to beat back an encircling wildfire; we see a pilot struggle to maintain control of his plane as its wing begins to detach. By understanding how and why these people responded the way they did, Wise argues, we can better arm ourselves against our own everyday fears. Full of amazing characters and cutting-edge science, __Extreme Fear__ is an original and absorbing narrative that will force you to reconsider the limits of human potential.

fear Is A Mysterious Force. It Sabotages Our Ability To Think Clearly And Can Drive Us To Blind Panic, Yet It Can Also Give Us Superhuman Speed, Strength, And Powers Of Perception. Having Baffled Mankind For Ages, Fear Is Now Yielding Its Secrets To Scientific Inquiry. The Simple Model Of “fight Or Flight”—that People Respond To Danger Either By Fleeing In Terror Or Staying To Fight Through It—has Been Replaced By A More Complex Understanding Of The Fear Response.

veteran Science Journalist Jeff Wise Delves Into The Latest Research To Produce An Astonishing Portrait Of The Brain’s Hidden Fear Pathways. Wise, Who Writes The “i'll Try Anything” Column For popular Mechanics, Favors A Hands-on Approach, Volunteering To Jump Out Of An Airplane While Wearing Sensors And To Endure A Four-hour Simulated Missile Attack On A Navy Destroyer. He Returns With A Tale That Combines Lucid Explanations Of Brain Dynamics With Gripping, True-life Stories Of Mortal Danger: We Watch A Woman Defend Herself Against A Mountain Lion Attack In A Remote Canyon; We Witness A Couple Desperately Fighting To Beat Back An Encircling Wildfire; We See A Pilot Struggle To Maintain Control Of His Plane As Its Wing Begins To Detach. By Understanding How And Why These People Responded The Way They Did, Wise Argues, We Can Better Arm Ourselves Against Our Own Everyday Fears.

full Of Amazing Characters And Cutting-edge Science, extreme Fear Is An Original And Absorbing Narrative That Will Force You To Reconsider The Limits Of Human Potential.

The common understanding has been that the mind responds to danger in one of two ways--'fight or flight.'But as scientists unlock the secrets of the brain, a more complex understanding of the fear response has emerged. The ancient brain circuitry wired to process fear is also intricately tied to our ability to master new skills, and the sensation of terror can actually enhance both our physical and our mental performance. Science journalist Jeff Wise explores the primal force: Where does panic come from? How do some people perform masterfully under pressure? How can we live a more courageous life? Reporting from the front lines of science, Wise takes us into labs where scientists are learning how we make decisions when confronted with physical peril, how time is perceived when the mind is on high alert, and how willpower succeeds or fails in controlling fear.--From publisher description. The common understanding has been that the mind responds to danger in one of two ways--"fight or flight." But as scientists unlock the secrets of the brain, a more complex understanding of the fear response has emerged. The ancient brain circuitry wired to process fear is also intricately tied to our ability to master new skills, and the sensation of terror can actually enhance both our physical and our mental performance. Science journalist Jeff Wise explores the primal force: Where does panic come from? How do some people perform masterfully under pressure? How can we live a more courageous life? Reporting from the front lines of science, Wise takes us into labs where scientists are learning how we make decisions when confronted with physical peril, how time is perceived when the mind is on high alert, and how willpower succeeds or fails in controlling fear.--From publisher description Introduction: the mystery of fear Fear is a parallel mind The person that fear makes you Superhuman Losing it The struggle for control The structure of chaos Fear itself In love and war One of the biggest chokers of all time The eyes of others Counterattack Force of will Steeling yourself Hanging on Mastery A new conception of courage. Acclaimed science journalist Jeff Wise offers a riveting account of how people confront and process extreme fear. Energetic and inspiring, Wise examines how the human spirit can adopt fearful feelings in order to triumph in the face of challenges