Review: Explaining Humans, by Dr Camilla Pang

This book is truly exceptional. Applying science to the problems of human relationships, the perils of perfectionism and the pitfalls of social etiquette, Millie has written a joyous, funny and hugely insightful text for all of us – whether neurotypical or neurodiverse. This ‘outsiders guide to the human race’ is warm, witty and a joy to read.’ Prof Gina Rippon, Cognitive neuroscientist/autism researcher and author of The Gendered Brain.

Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of eight, Camilla Pang struggled to understand the world around her and the way people worked. Desperate for a solution, Camilla asked her mother if there was an instruction manual for humans that she could consult. But, without the blueprint to life she was hoping for, Camilla began to create her own. Now armed with a PhD in biochemistry, Camilla dismantles our obscure social customs and identifies what it really means to be human using her unique expertise and a language she knows best: science.

Through a set of scientific principles, this book examines life’s everyday interactions including:

– Decisions and the route we take to make them;
– Conflict and how we can avoid it;
– Relationships and how we establish them;
– Etiquette and how we conform to it.

Explaining Humans is an original and incisive exploration of human nature and the strangeness of social norms, written from the outside looking in. Camilla’s unique perspective of the world, in turn, tells us so much about ourselves – about who we are and why we do it – and is a fascinating guide on how to lead a more connected, happier life. 

This is the first time I’m rolling it out, but this is a new format I’m trying for the reviews.

My Review

I got myself a copy of this book because Lizzie Huxley (@littleHux on Twitter) suggested it and she has good taste in books.

THE ROSIE SYNOPSIS

Dr Camilla Pang, known as Millie, was diagnosed early as Autistic, and then as ADHD as an adult. She also has GAD. It’s fairly common for autistic people to have anxiety and ADHD is a common co-morbid condition. Over the years she has tried to work out how to human. Through applying scientific theories to life she has developed a way to understand people.

THE GOOD

Millie uses some really good analogies to explain different aspects of human being. I particularly liked the prism analogy for dealing with anxiety and fear. I think this book would be really useful for professionals to help with explaining ideas to their clients.

THE NOT-SO-GREAT

The only thing that irritated me was that she uses ‘neurodiverse’ incorrectly. A group is neurodiverse or not, akin to biodiversity. Humanity is neurodiverse – there are a lot of different and equally valid human brains. A person may be considered neurotypical – that is within the norms or society, the centre of the bell curve. People on the outside edges are neurodivergent. Being autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, etc. makes you neurodivergent. I do wish people would be more precise in their words.

MY VERDICT

Essential reading.