Psychology – Ryan's Book Blog

The Anxious Generation

August 1, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2024, “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” by Jonathan Haidt examines the rise in adolescent mental health issues over the past decade, attributing much of the trend to the shift from play-based, in-person childhoods to screen-based, phone-centric upbringings. Haidt argues that this “great rewiring” began around 2010 with the widespread adoption of smartphones and social media, which disrupted key developmental processes. Drawing on psychology, sociology, and education research, the book outlines the ways in which this digital transformation has contributed to increased anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal among youth. Haidt proposes a framework for reversing these effects by advocating for later introduction of smartphones, more independence for children, and greater emphasis on real-world experiences.

My Thoughts

This was a truly terrifying read that caused a great deal of thought and rethinking of our current youth culture. After finishing the book, I believe there should be an additional volume addressing how this screen culture has rewired adults as well.

I’m more and more convinced about how plastic the brain and body can be. How someone can completely transform themselves given the right conditions. However, that concept is also at play with respect to sitting in front of a screen all day. This impacts us all. I really loved how well Haidt brought in the larger social influences in addition to the impacts on the individual. If you take a phone away from a young person, they still are in a world where everyone else has a phone and so they can’t interact like I was able to growing up in the pre-phone era.

The key take away for me? I like the saying, “Fake war and fake love does not make a real man.” – Unknown authorship. After reading this book, I could say, “Fake friends and impossible expectations will break anyone.”

Recommendation

An important read for any parent.

What to Think About Machines that Think

July 30, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2015, “What to Think About Machines that Think” is a collection of essays edited by John Brockman in which leading scientists, philosophers, engineers, and writers explore the implications of artificial intelligence and machine learning. The contributors offer a wide range of perspectives on whether machines that can think will enhance or threaten human civilization, with topics spanning ethics, consciousness, intelligence, creativity, and societal impact. Some essays warn of existential risks while others emphasize the potential for AI to augment human capabilities. The book does not present a unified view but instead encourages readers to grapple with complex, sometimes conflicting ideas about the role of thinking machines in our future.

My Thoughts

This was a very interesting read to hear what we were thinking about machine thinking a decade ago. Oh, how things have changed…

Still, most of the existential fears still exist and are only augmented by the leaps made in recent years by a largely uninformed public. As I write this, we are creating courseware to teach AI concepts to the novice user on a mass scale. This has likely colored my thinking as I was reading through the book.

The benefits are plain and the abilities we are handed on a silver platter are downright amazing. However, it will take nothing away from the simple fact that we, as the users, still need to think. We still need to understand what tool we are using and the repercussions of the use of that tool. To quote Dr. Jordan Peterson when speaking on the subject of man’s ability to be terrible, “Just because we can bite, doesn’t mean that we should.” I feel the same with respect to AI. There will be bullies and victims. There will be fallout from short-sighted endeavors and actions. However, we will have to wrestle with the implications of this new augmentation of our Information Age.

Recommendation

Dated but a great read for comparison

Co-Intelligence Living and Working wIth AI

June 27, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2023, Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollick explores how artificial intelligence, particularly large language models like ChatGPT, is reshaping the way people learn, work, and create. Mollick, a Wharton professor, argues that AI is not just a tool to be programmed but a form of “co-intelligence” to collaborate with. The book outlines how individuals and organizations can engage with AI by experimenting directly with it, treating it as a creative and thinking partner rather than a traditional machine. He emphasizes a hands-on approach, encouraging readers to integrate AI into decision-making, writing, and problem-solving processes. The work also highlights the risks of misinformation and over-reliance, suggesting that human oversight and ethical considerations are necessary to use AI effectively.

My Thoughts

Much has discussion of AI has been swirling around my work as of late and this book was recommended by a coworker.

This was a really good book and very timely for me professionally. We are creating a distance education course on this topic and it gave me quite a bit to think about. In fact, I kept having to put the book down to write another note about something I wanted to try.

Recommendation

Great quick read! (Just over 200 pages.) It is worth your time to know more about AI.

Do Pause: You are not a To Do List

May 27, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2022, Do Pause: You Are Not a To-Do List by Robert Poynton explores the idea of intentionally stepping back from constant productivity to create space for reflection, awareness, and creativity. Drawing on his experience teaching improvisational techniques at Oxford and working with businesses, Poynton encourages readers to think of pauses not as breaks in action but as integral, active components of life and work. He presents different types of pauses, such as taking a breath, observing, or stopping altogether, as practical tools for navigating complex or fast-moving environments. Rather than offering time management strategies, the book redefines time itself as something we can engage with differently by shifting attention and perspective.

My Thoughts

This was a good reminder to slow down and enjoy life. I once caught one of my team outside smelling the flowers. He was a chaotic person and I had to send him to anger management at one point, but it brought me joy to see him taking a minute and enjoying something.

I think we all can do with a little more stillness in life. Particularly, at this point in time.

Recommendation

Good quick read.

We Who Wrestle with God

May 1, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2024, We Who Wrestle with God by Jordan B. Peterson explores the psychological, literary, and theological significance of the Book of Genesis, particularly its early chapters. Drawing on his background in psychology and mythology, Peterson examines the biblical stories of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah, and the Tower of Babel as archetypal narratives that shape human understanding of morality, identity, responsibility, and meaning. He interprets these ancient texts through a Jungian and existential lens, arguing that the struggle with God reflects humanity’s internal struggle to confront chaos, find order, and live truthfully. The book also revisits themes Peterson has addressed in his previous works, including individual transformation and the importance of tradition in modern life.

My Thoughts

I really enjoy Dr. Pererson’s writing. I believe he does an incredible job of linking ideas and examining things from the macro level, yet I find he can also be overly simplistic and generalize. This book uses the Old Testament as a source document, which is loaded with symbolism. Of course, any symbol can be interpreted in several ways. Dr. Peterson’s interpretation is a little too neat and tidy for me to fully accept at face value. However, any meaningful discussion would be impossible if we dived down every rabbit hole of nuance. It would just take far too long.

That said, I really enjoyed this book. So much so that I bought copies along with “12 Rules for Life” and “Beyond Order.” My son is working his way through the first book and it is making an impact.

Recommendation

Great book! These are very heavy concepts so spend some time thinking through some of the ideas.

101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think

April 1, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2016, 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think by Brianna Wiest is a collection of short essays that explore themes related to self-awareness, emotional intelligence, personal growth, and mental habits. Drawing on psychological insights and philosophical ideas, the essays encourage readers to examine their thought patterns, confront uncomfortable truths, and reframe how they approach challenges and relationships. The book compiles content originally written for various online platforms and is organized in a non-linear way, allowing readers to engage with the material in any order.

My Thoughts

This collection of essays varied in quality, but overall I enjoyed and agreed with the majority of what was said. I liked it so much that I listened to it twice.

Recommendation

Somewhat sporadic but worth the time.

Maybe Everything is Okay

March 12, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in September 2024, “Maybe Everything Is Okay: A Parent’s Guide to Less Stress and Worry” by Allison Carmen introduces the “Maybe mindset,” a perspective designed to help parents manage the uncertainties of raising children. Building upon her previous work, “The Gift of Maybe,” Carmen offers strategies to reduce stress and embrace the unknown as a space filled with possibilities. This guide encourages parents to adopt a flexible approach, aiming to foster resilience and hope in both themselves and their children.

My Thoughts

The idea of framing everything with the word “maybe” is a decently sound method to minimize fear of the unknown. It aims to allow the mind to accept even a “bad” circumstance can end well. However, this is a hard sell to someone who is stuck in the victim or control mindset. It also didn’t speak much to creating other possibilities. However, I agree it is beneficial to keep an open mind to positive outcomes rather than stay mired in disappointment. If “maybe” get’s you there then I’m happy for you. Still, don’t forget that most emotions have their uses. Anger and disappointment have been very useful to me in terms of motivation to action and I’ve done some of my best work while emotionally upset.

When it comes to parenting, sometimes the best thing a kid needs to hear is, “no”. Ask any kid what it really means when their mom replies to a request with “maybe”. Maybe is not a word I would have gone with for this concept though it is descriptive. Perhaps, not necessarily, you never know, in shāʾ Allāh, or a host of others may have been a better fit. Maybe…

Recommendation

Not a bad read and some good reminders.

The 5 Resets

March 8, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published on January 16, 2024, “The 5 Resets: Rewire Your Brain and Body for Less Stress and More Resilience” by Dr. Aditi Nerurkar presents five actionable mindset shifts designed to help readers manage stress and prevent burnout. Dr. Nerurkar reframes stress as a natural biological response that, when properly managed, can enhance well-being. The book introduces the following five resets:

Get Clear on What Matters Most
Find Quiet in a Noisy World
Sync Your Brain and Your Body
Come Up for Air
Bring Your Best Self Forward

Each reset is accompanied by three science-backed techniques, offering readers practical tools to recalibrate their relationship with stress and enhance resilience.

My Thoughts

This book was a good compilation of ideas and techniques to reframe, reset, rethink, and just make life a little easier. There were multiple times during my reading where I stopped and thought, “I should do that.” Fortunately, there were some that I have done and even some I’m still doing.

I find it is worth the time and effort to read one of these books every now and again. The motivation fades over time and it is easy to fall back into the same patterns.

Recommendation

Slow start but a good read.

Masters of Greek Thought: Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle

January 23, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2008, “Masters of Greek Thought: Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle” is a 36-lecture course by Professor Robert C. Bartlett that delves into the philosophies of these three seminal figures. The course examines Socrates’ method of inquiry and his focus on ethical questions, Plato’s development of the theory of forms and his vision of an ideal state, and Aristotle’s extensive contributions across various fields, including logic, metaphysics, and ethics. Through these lectures, the course explores how each philosopher built upon the ideas of his predecessor, shaping the foundation of Western philosophical thought.

My Thoughts

My head hurts… Honestly, this lecture series really slowed my intake of information as I was grappling with the concepts and implications of these differing perspectives. Layer on a few thousand years of criticism and experience and it is surprising how well the ideas have held up.

It is very hard to identify a takeaway from this experience as I’m not through processing all of it. Professor Bartlett does an admirable job of pointing these roots of Western thought, but having grown up in the West, very little was new or surprising.

Recommendation

This series requires time to derive the value. However, it was worth it.

Toxic Positivity

January 12, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2022, “Toxic Positivity: Keeping It Real in a World Obsessed with Being Happy” by Whitney Goodman examines the societal pressure to maintain constant positivity, even during challenging times. The book delves into how dismissing negative emotions in favor of a perpetually cheerful outlook can hinder genuine emotional processing and personal growth. Goodman provides insights into recognizing and addressing toxic positivity, advocating for a more balanced approach to emotional well-being that acknowledges the full spectrum of human experiences.

My Thoughts

For the most part, Goodman’s book was in line with my preconceived notions of a healthy individual. Putting a happy face on everything is not the answer. You can’t “manifest” good health, money, skill, or a better partner with positive affirmations. I also appreciated Goodman’s seemingly heretical idea that you don’t need to live in a state of pure bliss all the time (perhaps skipping through fields while holding hands and singing isn’t sustainable in the long term). I really enjoyed her grounded approach to life and her attempt to manage expectations. I feel many people are chasing the wrong ideal and that leads to disappointment if not outright tragedy.

However, I struggled with the author’s need to fully distance herself from the experiences of people with different perspectives. While validating another person’s unique experiences is essential to their acceptance of your validation, the principle cuts both ways. If no one can fully understand another person’s experience, then they can’t claim to understand the experience of any other person. Thus, when Goodman says she can’t understand the experience of a Black person or struggling with gender issues, she is inconsistent to assume understanding of groups she belongs to, such as all women, mothers, or wives. As a practicing counselor, she likely has valuable insights into the diverse groups she works with daily, regardless of her inclusion into their groups. Of course, I can certainly understand the practical challenges of writing books that address sensitive diverse audiences (myself included).

Recommendation

A solid read with many good ideas.