{"title":"Mark Humphries","description":"\u003cp\u003eMark Humphries offers thought-provoking works that explore the intersections of \u003cstrong\u003epolitics\u003c\/strong\u003e, culture, and the natural world. His writing invites readers to engage with contemporary issues through a blend of keen observation and insightful commentary, often delivered with a touch of wit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether examining societal shifts or delving into the nuances of science and nature, Humphries crafts narratives that are both accessible and intellectually stimulating, appealing to readers interested in the broader currents shaping our world.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-spike-by-mark-humphries-9780691241487","title":"The Spike","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe story of a neural impulse and what it reveals about how our brains work\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe see the last cookie in the box and think, can I take that? We reach a hand out. In the 2.1 seconds that this impulse travels through our brain, billions of neurons communicate with one another, sending blips of voltage through our sensory and motor regions. Neuroscientists call these blips 'spikes.' Spikes enable us to do everything: talk, eat, run, see, plan, and decide. In \u003ci\u003eThe Spike\u003c\/i\u003e, Mark Humphries takes readers on the epic journey of a spike through a single, brief reaction. In vivid language, Humphries tells the story of what happens in our brain, what we know about spikes, and what we still have left to understand about them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing on decades of research in neuroscience, Humphries explores how spikes are born, how they are transmitted, and how they lead us to action. He dives into previously unanswered mysteries: Why are most neurons silent? What causes neurons to fire spikes spontaneously, without input from other neurons or the outside world? Why do most spikes fail to reach any destination? Humphries presents a new vision of the brain, one where fundamental computations are carried out by spontaneous spikes that predict what will happen in the world, helping us to perceive, decide, and react quickly enough for our survival.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTraversing neuroscience's expansive terrain, \u003ci\u003eThe Spike\u003c\/i\u003e follows a single electrical response to illuminate how our extraordinary brains work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'In this fascinating, roller-coaster ride through the most fundamental component of our nervous systems, Mark Humphries takes us to the frontiers of neuroscience. A brilliant achievement.' - Matthew Cobb, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Idea of the Brain: The Past and Future of Neuroscience\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"NewSouth Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46855262109932,"sku":"9780691241487","price":50.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/b6ca8c89224fd59c9d2cd2a18a8b0061.jpg?v=1759279317"},{"product_id":"on-politics-and-stuff-by-mark-humphries-9780733646560","title":"On Politics and Stuff","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is quite possibly the most comprehensive book on Australian politics ever written. That's right, it covers \u003cem\u003eboth\u003c\/em\u003e houses of parliament.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe'll take you inside the halls of power. And if we can't actually get inside because of security, we'll do some very fun speculating on what might be in there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne thing we know for sure is that this book is \u003cem\u003eunputdownable\u003c\/em\u003e. Something went wrong with the printing and it's all sticky.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47597438763244,"sku":"9780733646560","price":19.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9bd6f54813acf9f6a232219d0788d020.jpg?v=1777959052"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/mark-humphries.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}