Sensehacking

Author Charles Spence
Narrator Sam Woolf
Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
Publish Date 1 January 1970
Run Time 9 hours and 7 minutes
Format Audio
Genre Family and health, Neurosciences, Popular medicine and health, Popular psychology, Popular science, Science: general issues, Self-help, personal development and practical advice.

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What to expect

Brought to you by Penguin.

The world expert in multisensory perception on the remarkable ways we can use our senses to lead happier, healthier, richer lives

How can the furniture in your home affect your well-being? What colour clothing will help you play sport better? And what simple trick will calm you after a tense day at work? In this revelatory book, pioneering and entertaining Oxford professor Charles Spence shows how our senses change how we think and feel, and how by 'hacking' them we can reduce stress, become more productive and be happier.

We like to think of ourselves as rational beings, and yet it's the scent of expensive face cream that removes wrinkles (temporarily) and the noise of the crowd really does affect the referee's decision. Sensehacking explores how the senses are stimulated in nature, at home, in the workplace and at play. Using cutting-edge science, Spence shows how the senses interact and affect our minds and bodies.

© Charles Spence 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

Critics Review

Spence does for the senses what Marie Kondo does for homes

Avery Gilbert, author of What the Nose Knows

Talks total sense, lots of fun facts, right up there with the best of the best

Chris Evans

An extraordinary compendium of everything you need to know about how to cope with the hidden sensory overload of modern life, engagingly told

Robin Dunbar, author of How Many Friends Does One Person Need?

In Sensehacking, Charles Spence offers a whole new twist on what it means to ‘make sense’ of the world around us. Drawing on his renowned expertise in the field of crossmodal science, Professor Spence shares a wealth of insights and practical tips that will help you improve your social, cognitive and emotional well-being through sensory stimulation and management

Steve Keller, Sonic Strategy Director, Studio Resonate at Pandora

Charles Spence draws on his wealth of experience to provide insights into how our senses are interwoven in every aspect of our lives. Spence shows how sensehacking – which he defines as ‘using the power of the senses, and sensory stimulation, to help improve our social, cognitive and emotional well-being’ – is all around us. In addition to practical suggestions for enriching our own lives, Sensehacking provides unsettling insights into how commercial interests are manipulating our perceptions and behaviour. This book will shed light on much that goes unnoticed, and is especially timely in these pandemic times.

Roger Kneebone, author of Expert

Truly accessible, entertaining and informative. On every page there are ideas to set you thinking and widen your horizons

Heston Blumenthal, OBE, on Gastrophysics

Wonderfully curious and thought-provoking . . . brilliant

Bee Wilson, Guardian, on Gastrophysics

Popular science at its best

Daniel Levitin, NYT bestselling author of This Is Your Brain on Music, on Gastrophysics

A fascinating read. Given how pervasive technology has become, the way we relate to our senses could be the most crucial element in creating environments that are conducive to emotional and cognitive well-being. The science shows how we should evolve from an audiovisual dominated world, to one that caters mindfully to all our senses

Charles Michel, Chef-in-residence at the Crossmodal Research Laboratory, University of Oxford

Charles Spence is the paragon of the transdisciplinary scholar, a Renaissance man for the digital age. From his base at the Crossmodal Research Lab at Oxford, Professor Spence moves comfortably beyond the confines of experimental psychology and across the disciplines of the humanities, social sciences, design art and industry, while also crossing or merging the senses. Sensehacking is a tour de force of the sensory studies literature, a synthesis without equal. This book contains lots of helpful tips about how to use your senses to lead a healthier, happier life (and insights into how designers and marketers are only too happy to arrange your senses for you in the interests of moving merchandise), but it above all concerns “getting the sensory balance right.” Rebalancing the senses and diverse sensations relative to each other is vital to our cognitive, emotional and social well-being, so do get hacking by reading this book from the finest and most innovative multisensory (and intersensory) mind of our times

David Howes, author of The Sensory Studies Manifesto

User Reviews

Book 5.0

Narration 5.0

5.0

Brilliant book!

EM2024 11/05/2024

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