Brain Candy

September 13, 2010
Sundem (Geek Logic) serves up irresistible snippets of ‘edutainment' collected for their ability to tickle minds as well as impart knowledge. This assortment of the weird and wacky will keep readers busy not only due to the far-out facts themselves but also their unorthodox organization. There is no index; topics flow gently from start to finish, free from groupings or ties. Items listed in the table of contents are rarely longer than a page. Alert readers will begin to anticipate the idiosyncratic rhythm of the text and enjoy iterations on themes like Wild Kingdom, Zen Mind, Logic of Illogic, and Eye Hack and enjoy the clever cartoon illustrations that headline quotes from famous thinkers. Another theme runs through the book under the title of ‘iDread,' with a cartoon Munch‘s screamer announcing the scientific names of often obscure phobias (Ephebiphobia: Fear of Teenagers). Icons and images are a key part of the text, used not only as signposts but to convey information in an active way. Throughout, Sundem addresses important yet quirky topics like subliminal advertising, self affirmations, and daydreams. There is nothing a curious brain enjoys more than studying itself. Delicious. Illustrations.