Oliver Sack's Musicophilia - Book Review

Oliver Sack's Musicophilia bridges the gap between music and the brain by using case studies he has personally dealt with and otherwise. The stories range from the totally bizarre to the horribly tragic. Music can affect the brain in peculiar ways. The studies cover how music cannot only be a miracle for the brain but also a torturous thing that haunts it.
The book is organized with chapters that focus on specific ways in which music affects the brain. The book primarily focuses on telling the stories of those affected by music. However, it also analyzes the stories to an extent and talks about how our knowledge of music and the brain has grown because of the case presented. The conclusions that Sacks draws throughout the book are interesting and engaging.
One particularly engaging story was about a Parkinson's patient who used the mesmerizing sounds of a drum circle to calm the tics. His circle consisted of other Parkinson's patients. Sacks recalls watching this inspiring group all sit down at their respective drums, doing their best to not let their tics get in the way as they waited for the leader to start. As soon as he did, the tics stopped almost instantaneously. It was as if some unexplainable force of nature had somehow seeped into the bodies of these patients and enraptured them in serenity and control. It has been proven that a steady, predictable drumbeat, when played in the presence of Parkinson's patients, can almost completely prevent any tics for the duration of the drumming. Even so, we have not even scratched the surface when it comes to using music in a therapeutic setting. That being said, Sacks uses this case and many more to prove that the beneficial effects of music are simply overwhelming and must be investigated further.
For anyone who is interested in music, psychology, or just wants to be amazed, Musicophilia is an excellent read and is extremely informative. This book hopefully will encourage many to see the importance of continued research in the field of music psychology.
Oliver Sacks is currently a physician, best-selling author, and professor of neurology and psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center. He has written ten books including Awakenings and The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat. He has been involved with a number of feature films, documentaries, and stage adaptations that have been based off of his case studies. Take a look at his website at.

How Could a Marketer Deploy Group Texting Apps?

Mobile is all the rage, and SMS text messaging just happens to be one of its most popular activities. Consumers, businesses, politicians - almost everyone engages in the act of texting, some when they probably shouldn’t be. Well, a couple of ambitious startup companies have taken the concept and created discussions about what could be the next big thing in marketing. It just happens to be a new hip activity known as group texting. In this article, we will take a closer look at this interesting trend and how marketers could potentially tap in.

Good Anniversary Gifts for Boyfriends

So, you and your boyfriend are soon going to be celebrating an anniversary. You love him and he knows that. But you still feel like there's something amiss, because you simply cannot come up with a sensible and good anniversary gift for your boyfriend. You know that you don't need to give him something, but you just have to. To help you on your gifting endeavors, here is a Buzzle article that will dish out some interesting ideas on what you can get your boyfriend this anniversary.

Ideas for Perfect Homecoming Dresses:

• If you are sure you would be chosen as a contender for the homecoming queen event, then a showstopper dress is something you would surely need! Got a great tan? Get a short homecoming dress that shows off your legs. A cool halter back can be great for those ladies who have broad and toned shoulders and back. You don’t always have to wear what is in fashion!
• If there is no particular dress code, you can even opt for a vintage style dress. These lend a beautiful touch to an event due to their long sweeping overall look.
• You should always choose a homecoming dress that suits your body shape and personality. The idea is to highlight your assets and enhance your positive traits.
• Accessories can add another dimension to the homecoming dress. A stunning accessory can change even a plain old boring dress into an interesting ensemble!
• If you don’t really have the budget and are on the lookout for cheap homecoming dresses then you can use your creativity to the fullest and even create one at home. If you are a good seamstress or if you have a friend who can help, use some of the ideas available online to create something new and unique! Perhaps, you may even set a trend!
• Always remember your look is never complete without an appropriate hairstyle. Read more about homecoming hairstyles and updos.