Latest news with #SevenDeadlySins
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Why neurologist Guy Leschziner links the seven deadly sins to human biology
Gluttony, greed, sloth, pride, envy, lust and anger are traditionally seen as the root of all evil. But can these undesirable behaviours actually stem from the biology of our brains? Neurologist Guy Leschziner believes so. Last November, when he launched his book Seven Deadly Sins: The Biology of Being Human, and delved into the neuroscientific and psychological basis of these human tendencies, the London-based professor encouraged much debate. 'The seven deadly sins are woven into the tapestry of what it is to be human,' he later wrote in The Guardian. 'Each of these tendencies, at least in moderation or in specific circumstances, can be seen as a tool for survival.' He went on to say that the origins of the definition of these traits lies in evolutionary imperatives to preserve the tribe and they raise more of a biological question for us than a moral one. A window into human society 'I was trying to understand how the brain, our biology, influences why we behave badly, and how a better understanding of these processes could actually give us opportunities to make the world a better place,' Leschziner tells The Hindu, on the sidelines of the Kerala Literature Festival 2025. 'I study people at the extremes of the human experience to understand how their brains cause changes in behaviour and how it applies to all of us.' In the introduction of the book, Leschziner explains how the past 25 years of his life as a practising doctor have offered him a window into human society, allowing him to explore aspects of humanity that few outside the world of medicine can see. Leschziner's grandfather was himself a victim of the deadly sins: he escaped Nazi Germany with his brother, but their families perished in concentration camps. At his clinic, Leschziner encounters patients from countries like Afghanistan, Syria, and the former Yugoslavia — 'all in London as an outcome of war and upheaval, fruits of human sins'. A consultant neurologist at the Department of Neurology and Sleep Disorders Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals, as well as London Bridge Hospital, the Cromwell Hospital, and One Welbeck, Leschziner is a determinist. 'I believe that everything is a function of the connections within our brain and how it works,' he explains. 'There are factors entirely beyond our control that influence how we behave. For some, it's genetic; for others, it's due to disease or disorder. But, for many, it's shaped by what we're exposed to — either in the womb or later in life — which fundamentally affects how our brains are configured.' Making sense of sleep Seven Deadly Sins is Leschziner'sthird book, and has won critical acclaim. However, initially, he had no intention of becoming an author as he was busy with his medical practice. A literary agent, impressed by Leschziner's BBC radio series on the mysteries of sleep, persuaded him to pen his experiences. Leschziner's first book, The Nocturnal Brain: Nightmares, Neuroscience and the Secret World of Sleep, published in 2019, provided fascinating insights into the sleeping mind, as he drew on case studies of his own patients. The Scientist named it the best neuroscience book of the year, while Forbes termed it one of the must-read books of the year. He is glad that sleep is finally receiving more attention in medical research. Throughout his remarkable career, Leschziner has helped people manage insomnia, sleep apnoea, restless leg syndrome, and many other sleep disorders. 'When I was in medical school, we were taught nothing at all about sleep; it didn't even figure on the curriculum,' says Leschziner, who was the clinical lead for the Sleep Disorders Centre, Guy's Hospital, one of Europe's largest sleep units, for over a decade. 'There are entire generations of doctors who know nothing about sleep or were never taught its importance. Now we're beginning to understand the far-reaching consequences of poor sleep on our physical, psychological, and neurological health.' Shortcut to dementia? He says that getting less than the recommended seven to eight-and-a-half hours of sleep is a growing concern. 'Sleep is crucial for every aspect of our daytime functioning,' says Leschziner. 'We know it's linked to high blood pressure, diabetes, weight gain, and there is increasing evidence that it raises the risk of heart disease and stroke. One major issue, which I believe will affect the entire world in the future, is the connection between sleep and dementia — especially as dementia is becoming more prevalent globally with ageing populations.' Leschziner is equally intrigued by dreams. 'One of the major mysteries that remains is the function of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep — the stage we most closely associate with dreaming,' he says. 'This stage is crucial for memory consolidation, moving information from the brain's short-term memory circuits to longer-term storage. But REM sleep serves other roles as well; it is probably responsible for regulating our emotions. My own view is that, during sleep, we're essentially creating a model of the world because we need it to make sense of our experiences.' Though initially hesitant to wield the pen, writing has taken Leschziner into a world beyond the hospital. 'I chose a career in neurology after reading Oliver Sacks' The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat,' he says. 'If my books can inspire even one person to study the brain, I'll be very happy.'
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Seven Deadly Sins: The end of an era and the rise of Four Knights of the Apocalypse
Credits: Crunchyroll From the very moment it started to air, the Seven Deadly Sins anime won over fans heart worldwide with its vibrant animation, unforgettable characters, and emotionally driven fantasy storytelling. The anime is based on Nakaba Suzuki 's best selling manga, the series gives intense action, comedy, romance, and drama into a fascinating adventure that defined a generation of anime fans. Now, with the main storyline wrapped up, a new chapter starts — the one that carries the legacy forward through the anime sequel, Four Knights of the Apocalypse . Rise and fall of the Seven Deadly Sins The Seven Deadly Sins followed the journey of Princess Elizabeth and a group of outlaw knights, the infamous Seven Deadly Sins, led by the charming and powerful Meliodas . Together, they fought to save the Kingdom of Liones from corruption, dark forces, and the looming threat of the Demon Clan . Credits: Crunchyroll The anime shows countless iconic moments, which includes epic battles with the Ten Commandments of demon clan, Escanor(the 2nd strongest among the seven) legendary duels, and the infinite loop of romance between Meliodas and Elizabeth. These elements made it a fan favorite in the fantasy anime genre. However, the series wasn't without controversy. In the later seasons, it faced backlash for bad animation quality and the rushed plot, especially during critical story arcs. Despite these challenges, fans remained loyal thanks to the strong emotional core and character-driven storytelling. The final season, Dragon's Judgement, brought the epic fight with the Demon King to an end, offering satisfying closure to our beloved characters and setting the stage up for the next generation. Four Knights of the Apocalypse: A new anime legacy begins Credits: Crunchyroll Although the adventurous journeys of Meliodas, Ban, Diane, King, and others have came to an end, the world of Britannia lives on in the highly anticipated sequel, Four Knights of the Apocalypse. This new fantasy anime series follows Percival, a young boy who is fated to become one of the prophesied "Four Knights" destined to reshape the world of Britannia. The anime sets years after the original story had took place, the sequel introduces new magical powers, unexplored regions of Britannia, and a deeper look into the forces left behind by the previous generation. Long-time fans or we can say the OG fans will recognize familiar faces like Meliodas and King, who are now older and guiding the new heroes. The Four Knights of the Apocalypse anime adaptation has already become a major hit among various fans of different anime lovers as well, with the early previews and promotional scenes showcasing powerful battles, emotional twists, and especially epic world-building which honors the original series while moving boldly into the future.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Celtics star Jaylen Brown loves anime, lists his favourites — Demon Slayer, Death Note and more
Celtics Star Jaylen Brown loves anime, lists his favourites — Demon Slayer, Death Note and more Looks like anime fever has reached the NBA too! Boston Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown recently revealed that he's a huge anime fan, and his top picks include some of the most popular titles out there — Demon Slayer, Death Note, Seven Deadly Sins, and more. During a fun interview in 2022 with GQ for their Actually Me segment, Brown went undercover online to answer questions from fans across Twitter, Reddit, Quora, and YouTube. While fans were curious about everything from his college days to his sense of fashion, one question that stood out was: 'What's your top 5 anime?' Boston Celtic Jaylen Brown Replies to Fans on the Internet | Actually Me | GQ Sports Why Jaylen Brown loves anime Jaylen didn't hold back. He shared that he completed Demon Slayer a few years ago and recommended Death Note to the fan. He also added Seven Deadly Sins and Neo Yokio to his list. And of course, being the thoughtful person he is, he explained what drew him into anime in the first place. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo 'The writing in anime is like next level. That's really why I fell in love with it. I love writing,' Brown said. Turns out, anime isn't just a solo hobby for him either. He mentioned that some of his teammates are fans too. 'Me and Taco (Tacko Fall), we used to talk about different animes. We watched Baki together in the Bubble,' he shared with a smile. It's always fun to see stars off the court and into the anime world. Whether it's the emotional stories, crazy fight scenes, or the deeper messages in anime, it's clear that Jaylen Brown gets it. Anime really is for everyone — even NBA All-Stars. Also Read | One Piece releases new teaser for Episode 1128 — teases Saint Saturn's demonic form
