'PROTOCOL(s)' For a missed opportunity?

As ever, when in London doing the bookshops, the subtitle of Prof. Huberman's book 'Protocols - An Operating Manual for the Human Body' caught my eye. 

It was in the foyer of Foyles, so hard to miss. Especially as I'd just picked up Buckminster Fuller's, Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth from 1969. There's been a slew of them since. 

When I saw the subtitle, the chip on my shoulder was activated. OK, so another contrib. to the operating manual genre. 'Human body' nailed what I saw as a mechanistic bias. 

But, even in the title, where would you place a protocol in Hodges' model?

individual

|
INTERPERSONAL : SCIENCES             

HUMANISTIC ------------------------------------------------ MECHANISTIC

SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL   

|

group

	PROTOCOLS: c/o Penguin

As is oft the case (not buying the book and reading it) a look in the index, revealed no mention of 'conceptual framework' or 'model'. A great shame and omission imho, surely an essential requirement to underpin, and act as a foundation for any manual worthy of the name? Metacognition is not listed, even as there are tools to assist in the challenges which our health presents. So too for reflection, and critical thinking. Again, not listed. I did not have much time, but cognitive behavioural therapy & cognitive skills are in there. The focus is behavioural. By all means, please correct me. 

I asked Google; tried to access the index. No joy. I queried: 'what proportion of the book deals with the psychological, the mental?'

Approximately three-sevenths (or roughly 43%) of the core structure of Protocols deals directly with the psychological, cognitive, and mental side of human performance. [1]

While Dr. Huberman emphasizes that the mind and body are fundamentally linked through the nervous system, the book's contents are categorized into seven primary pillars. Three of those pillars focus explicitly on psychological state, focus, and mental growth: [1]

• Stress Control: Managing acute and chronic psychological stress through real-time nervous system resets.
• Focus, Motivation, and Learning: Rewiring cognitive attention, sustaining mental energy, and optimizing the brain for deep concentration.
• Personal Growth: Building long-term habits, shifting behavioral frameworks, and leveraging neuroplasticity. [1, 2, 3]

The remaining four sections focus primarily on environmental and physical baselines: Sleep, Exercise, Nutrition, and Light. However, Huberman's core philosophy is that these physical pillars serve as the direct biological foundation required to regulate your mental state. [1, 2]

As a nurse (still - just) I still worry, that once again the wellness industry continues to dilute medicine, nursing, healthcare as a discipline. In a sense though the wellness advocates are correct. If our initial frame of reference is prevention, health promotion, being and staying well then what should we expect!? We need to be wary of tech solutions, within the tools and 'AI slop'.

For an operating manual surely this warrants an addition or two - three in any 2nd edition?

I'm surprised Cornerstone Press did not see this as a publisher:

'a home for big ideas with practical applications. Publishing expert voices in areas including psychology and popular science, health and relationships, business and economics, our books help you build the foundations of your life – whether you’re looking to change your day-to-day patterns or understand the world in which they happen.' 

But, then oh hum!

My source: Foyles, Charing Cross Road

Previously: 'well-being' : 'metacognition'