There is a lot of reluctance within the scientists to talk about religion and thats completely understandable. The reluctance results in gaps speciallThere is a lot of reluctance within the scientists to talk about religion and thats completely understandable. The reluctance results in gaps specially for understanding how religion evolves and what are the factors responsible for the origin. More importantly what underlying factors makes religion endure even in current times. The universality of religion does indicate some universal reasons for its evolution and also why it exists and persists across cultures worldwide. This is precisely why religion is a puzzle.
First of all we don't have concrete definitions but a good start is given by Durkheim. According to this definition religion is a unified system of practices accepted by a moral community. Religion is a comprehensive worldview, a set of beliefs, that is accepted by a community as being true without need of evidence. This book delves into the evolutionary aspects of religion and tries to answer some of it. I like the honesty of the author when he says that some of the plausible theories/hypotheses don't necessarily have to be true when looked at it in isolation. Probably a combination of things could explain. The problem is that humans are not especially good at handling complexity, so we often divide phenomena into simple dichotomies for our convenience even when they are not strictly binary.
The author contests that religion is an inbuilt error in the biological system.Rather than being linear, evolution is a branching process in which species are progressively modified as they adapt to unique new circumstances. The author has tried to view religion through this lens and I must say that some of the points put forward by him are commendable. He says that organised religions seem to have been a part of the machinery used to keep the lid on fractiousness so as to allow larger communities to exist. The emergence of priestly caste is only only witnessed when agricultural production is high enough to give rise to populations of sufficient size to produce food surpluses.
One of the cardinal features of any religion is the recruitment process. Among the various options, recruitment by birth is probably the single most important strategy for growth of a sect or religion. Indeed the heritability (or fidelity of copying from one generation to the next) of religious adherence is around 70 percent thanks to the power of cultural learning. And mind you this is far higher than the heritability of most genetically inherited biological traits.
If we want to encapsulate the crux of the book then its this. Initially small groups existed and there wasn't a need for religion. The need to bond groups that were increasingly large encouraged the adoption of cognitively more sophisticated devices like religion. The shift into permanent settlements only fastens the process because communities had to cope with more stresses. Sequence of changes in religion must be culturally driven and were a response to stresses created by localised demographic conditions. The elements used in religion fundamentally activates the endorphin system and this remains the principal primate and human bonding mechanism both at dyadic friendships and at the community level.
In short it is very difficult to see any convincing evidence for anything that will replace religion. Religion is a deeply human trait. The content of religion will surely change but for better or for worse, it is likely to remain with us. ...more
I don't think i could ever rate this below 5 stars because its a true account and being a Keralite this book is very relatable. I had read this when iI don't think i could ever rate this below 5 stars because its a true account and being a Keralite this book is very relatable. I had read this when it got released but probably didn't pay much attention to it i guess. Now with the the feature film being out there i felt i need to reread this.
One draws into this story right from the start when Najeeb asks us to imagine the suffering he must have endured to voluntarily choose imprisonment. He landed in prison because of his utmost desire to live. Despite the harshness, he concluded that the prison was the best option to survive out of his circumstances. After this the book delves into the ill fate and ultimate tragedy which a human could endure. Najeeb survived 3 years, 4 months and 9 days of this and yet somehow made it to normal life. The book is an absolute survival thriller but just that its a humane story of ultimate hope.
During the difficult moments in the desert, Najeeb could truly comprehend the meaning of nostalgia. Its a craving. An acute craving that makes you absolutely hate your present condition. The craving takes form of a crazy urge to rush home. It happens only once in a while. But when it does, it is not easy to shut down the surge of emotions. I am sure every expat has felt this but i would refrain to draw any parallels because it belittles what Najeeb went through.
One of the striking themes discussed in the book is the overall presence of faith in this journey. A non believer like me cannot ever imagine the sort of belief that Najeeb had in Allah. I mean Najeeb is inflicted with the worst a human could endure but yet his faith is unshakable. On the contrary its actually his faith which allows him to persist through this. Moreover its his faith that stops him from taking his own life.
Goat days/life(Aadujeevitham) leaves a strong impression on you no matter whats your locus standi is. Its inherently a humane story of survival and takes you on journey. Najeeb lets you enter into his world and never leaves you. The recurrent theme of becoming one amongst the very goats he looked after is a fascinating thing to read. Probably the animals there were the only reason why he could get through it. ...more
Once Bombay lodges itself in your eye, you are doomed to a lifetime of tunnel vision. Having lived in Bombay in my formative years, I can safely say tOnce Bombay lodges itself in your eye, you are doomed to a lifetime of tunnel vision. Having lived in Bombay in my formative years, I can safely say that each individual has a story to tell about this magnificent city and every story is different. This book is the best tribute to this city as it encapsulates various shades and tones of the people who inhabit this geographical entity. A wonderfully eclectic collection of essays with one common tying theme which happens to be Bombay.
The greatest asset of this city is that it blithely continues to inhabit several different cultures all at once. So much so that the past seems indistinguishable from present and future. Bombay or for that matter India can be explained as a land with walls which the windows are always open to receive fresh air. For example the Muslims of Bombay have never been one single entity. Even within a particular identity it is a diverse lend of languages, sects, customs and cuisine. The Muharram essay was so fascinating to read and it underlines the importance of the rituals performed commonly on Mumbai streets. Most Indians don't even know there are jews here in Bombay. Bene Israel arrived in India well before the birth of Christianity & Islam.
I am also aware that Bombay should not be glamourised because there are indeed thousand of problems which every inhabitant faces on a day to day basis. Bombay is a city with an identity crisis;a city experiencing both a boom and a civic emergency. The civic authorities in order to create a "beautiful" Bombay by planting trees and displacing people from slums shows how profoundly ignorant we are of the social and economic pressures which leads to this urbanisation.
There are multiple essays focusing on the rise of Shiv Sena in Mumbai. Their rise was very contextual to the socio economic milieu of the city. It has taken a new role now but it still bears the responsibility for the wounds inflicted in the past. There were massive fissures between Hindus and Muslims and this resulted in series of riots and revenge attempts. Mumbai has seen the worse waves of violence in 1990s.
But even today Mumbai remains a city which embraces diversity like no other city, making it a true melting pot of cultures. It is truly a city of contrasts but yet it manages to create a tapestry of resilience and hope. Bombay is a field which cannot be so harvested that there will not be something left of the latest comer to glean....more
It was an absolute page turner. It's been long since I have read a book in more or less a single stretch. There is special term called dolphin/whale mIt was an absolute page turner. It's been long since I have read a book in more or less a single stretch. There is special term called dolphin/whale moments and it was lovely to see so many of those throughout the life of Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The Oscar nomination or visa interview or even the tussle with LK Advani were outlandishly crazy stories.
I loved the little life lessons which kept flowing throughout the conversations. Abhijat Joshi did a tremendous job in curating this and making it coherent. I mean ofcourse these are some of the finest storytellers India has seen. The one thing which I will remember is " You have to know a lot to know how little you know". So the striving for excellence continues and it shall be only onwards and upwards.
One of the personal stories which connected with me a lot is stealing money from God's piggy bank/container. Being a non believer I knew it's of no significance whether I steal some money or not without the knowledge of others. But there was this sense of guilt always because a feeling of betrayal kicks in. The guilt came from betraying the trust of your parents and specially in my case it would be my father. I must admit that I used to give a part of that money to less fortunate people because for a young child that was the coping strategy.
There are so many instances in the book which makes you just sit in awe and amazement. The parting lessons for me would be to somehow protect the child like qualities even when the drudgeries of life overwhelm you. The inherent goodness and the everlasting curiosity is probably the traits one would prefer to keep and nurture....more
The book is a marvellous work done consistently over years to collect the stories of living freedom fighters. The chronicles here are representative oThe book is a marvellous work done consistently over years to collect the stories of living freedom fighters. The chronicles here are representative of how deep and widespread was the longing for freedom in our great struggle. These are sagas of patriotism driven by the need to unite and liberate Indians, not divide them on grounds of religion or caste.
The stories represent the common populace who stood against the British Raj and fought till they could. Some in the capacity of being a courier who sent messages across or just being a cook to the revolutionaries who waged armed rebellion against the Raj from basing themselves deep in forests. They didn't expect any recognition but yet we as current generation have lost much of the story behind this glorious struggle. As India celebrates the 75 years it becomes imperative that we reconstruct and remember these contributions.
Modern discourse has created these binaries of placing oneself in one school of thought. But humans inherently can't be boxed into singular ideology. It fascinates me that some of the freedom fighters found no contradiction in being a Gandhian and an Ambedkarite at the same time. The politics and passion of so many fighters was driven by leftist/communist ideology but their moral codes and lifestyle were guided by Mahatma Gandhi.
It pains me in current times to see Mahatma being targeted by right wing ideologies for obvious reasons. It doesn't surprise me that there was a mass populace which followed the footsteps of Mahatma during the freedom struggle. This book is not about Mahatma but yet it's a tribute to the influence he had over masses and specially these freedom fighters mentioned in the book....more
The overwhelming evidence in medical sciences points to one simple conclusion. The conclusion is that it's healthier to shift to whole plant based dieThe overwhelming evidence in medical sciences points to one simple conclusion. The conclusion is that it's healthier to shift to whole plant based diet. I don't think generally there is a scientific rebuttal to this conclusion. But ofcourse dietary considerations has much more nuance in terms of political, cultural, economical and many more factors. Irrespective of the factors one thing is very clear that it doesn't help to continue having animal based diet for long term.
The book has explored the science that demonstrates the role of a plant based diet rich in certain foods may play in helping to prevent, treat and even reverse the leading causes of death. I personally liked how the author divides the chapters into a specific organ and then discusses about the leading cause of damage.
I personally am an omnivore who is trying to cut down the meat consumption. This book just accelerates that decision and am keen to apply things I learnt here. It's also because I personally believe that all or nothing approach keeps people from even taking the starting steps. The thought of never having the favourite meat curry again somehow turns into an excuse to keep ordering it every week. Why not we think of scaling down to once a month or reserve it only for special occassions.
I am personally convinced that I can't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. This for me applies not only to dietary choices but to more or less everything in life. The reason for giving 5 stars for the book is that it's highly evidence driven and being from sciences it helps to look at what evidence is telling you rather than getting carried away by other considerations....more
It's a magnum opus in every sense. It took me a while to finish up the work but I am glad that it happened that way. The work is astounding and absoluIt's a magnum opus in every sense. It took me a while to finish up the work but I am glad that it happened that way. The work is astounding and absolutely scholarly. There are so many thoughts running in my mind after completion but none can do justice to the voluminous effort the authors have put in to write this book.
What I really liked is that it's not about a particular thread. Rather it travels across all the threads associated with Oppenheimer. So to say that it's just a biography would be wrong. Yes of course Oppenheimer remains the central thread but it does go into all the aspects related to that era of politics. I must say it's an absolute must read for anybody remotely interested with Oppenheimer or Trinity project or the whole idea of nuclear disarmament....more
I had read this book before but I don't think it was the appropriate time. The book has been catharsis for me because it helped dealing with personal I had read this book before but I don't think it was the appropriate time. The book has been catharsis for me because it helped dealing with personal grief. It's a very simple book but filled with profound teachings along the way. I for one have lost all the appetite for self help books. There comes a point after which you just can't read self help and I think I have passed that.
But this book was really therapeutic. It's structured in a way which makes it accessible and engaging at the same moment. One of the finest lessons i carry from the book is this - " The truth is that once we learn how to die then only we can learn how to live." The book also taught me the essence of forgiving oneself before forgiving others. We just can't get stuck on the regrets of what should have happened....more
Birdwatching is one of those activities that seems simultaneously marginal and utterly central to the business of being human and of figuring out whatBirdwatching is one of those activities that seems simultaneously marginal and utterly central to the business of being human and of figuring out what it means to be human. I personally tend to seek out to feathered bipeds whenever in doubt or probably just for the sake of it. It's also because birdwatching essentially is an exercise in balance. It has built in acknowledgement that the nature is finite; you don't shoot the bird, you look at it. You bring along a guidebook, emblem of library world, even as you wander out into nature in pursuit of something wild. You get the thrill of seeing an untamed creature, but immediately you cage it in its scientific name and link the bird, and yourself, to a classification system of nomenclature that harks backs to ages.
This book is literally filled with great words of symbolism like this. To a greater extent I do agree with the fact that birding has this element of mystique which is very essential to its core. Although I won't go far to claim any divine or spiritual or religious notions to it. Although the second half of the book was filled with things like these but still i would want to rate it higher. The sole reason is that there are some passages in book which connected so much that i just couldn't give it any less stars....more
I have only heard about Seneca but never got the opportunity to read or get familiar with his philosophy. Now that I have read this I must say that itI have only heard about Seneca but never got the opportunity to read or get familiar with his philosophy. Now that I have read this I must say that it is quite intriguing and critical read. The main idea proposed by him is as follows- "We are not given a short life but we make it short, and we are not ill- supplied but wasteful of it". If we think along these lines then the modern advent of civilisational progress has only made it worse rather than making it better. We are equipped with much more and most of it is being wasted away rather than being used wisely.
Seneca contests that it is stupid to forget our mortality and put off sensible plans to our sixtieth and seventieth years. Although it's important to realise that external goods are really of trivial importance because prosperity does not elevate the sage and adversity does not depress him. I really liked this one paragraph in Seneca says "Let my mind be fixed on itself, cultivate itself, having no external interest- nothing that seeks the approval of another; let it cherish the tranquility that has no part in public or private concerns"
There are many more themes discussed in the book which struck a chord with me. I also feel that Seneca was much ahead of it time. If not told that this belongs to a certain era then one might not be able to predict. I look forward to reading more works of Seneca....more
There is a remarkable pattern seen during invasion or occupancy of Afghanistan throughout the history of its existence. The pattern starts with hubrisThere is a remarkable pattern seen during invasion or occupancy of Afghanistan throughout the history of its existence. The pattern starts with hubristic justification, initial success by opponent, gradually widening Afghan resistance, stalemate and finally withdrawal of opponent . Now whether the enemy is British or American or Soviet or for that matter internal tribe, that is immaterial to the final conclusion. There is a reason why Afghanistan is known as graveyard of big empires.
This book tries to explore the geopolitical significance of Pashtun community as a whole. It's the largest community in the world without a nation to call their own. The author is a security expert and hence the precision of the book is really commendable. It allows even a layman to understand the nuances and viewpoints emanating from various stakeholders involved in the landscape. The author has managed to lay out a riveting narrative based simply on facts.
The initial chapters are focussed on explaining the setting around the landscape. It deals with the land,origins, religion,nation and many other aspects which are essential to understand the conflict. In subsequent chapters the author tries to look at pashtuns vis a vis other stakeholders such as Pakistan, Great Britain,Afghanistan, Soviets etc.
A great deal of focus has been on trying to look at the origins of pashtuns and jihad. It also discusses about the Mujahideen , Taliban and other organisations which have been operating from Pakistan & Afghanistan. The clarity of thought by author is really appreciable and hence makes you see the issue from multiple lens rather than having a singular perspective.
There are many aspects discussed in the book which kind of stays with you. The Khudai Khidmatgars movement spearheaded by Ghaffar Khan was the most significant or probably the only way to long lasting peace for the pashtuns in the long run. Unfortunately because of varying interests and internal contradictions the very people for whom Ghaffar Khan fought betrayed him and his vision. Ghaffar Khan was disappointed not only by pashtuns but also to a larger extent by Pakistan & India.
Any long lasting solution would need considerable policy corrections from various stakeholders. So long as the pasthun stakeholders do not take ownership of all the pashtuns, the people of the war torn country and the region will continue to face foreign intervention, violence, terrorism and war. Pakistan needs to amend it's policy of sponsoring terrorism through its soil for its own strategic purposes. The fire lit by them has burnt others but more often than not has indeed hit them the hardest.
Either ways this book has been very critical for the understanding of South Asian politics vis a vis current changes. And the author does a great job in holding the attention of the reader. The book is a must read for all those interested in the affairs of our sub continent....more
I absolutely loved the book from the very first line. First of all it is such a great and novel type of travelogue. The book helped me get into the woI absolutely loved the book from the very first line. First of all it is such a great and novel type of travelogue. The book helped me get into the world of trucking and the challenges associated with it. Trucks have an omnipresence yet the stories of those who drive it is scarce.
The very idea of hitchhiking on trucks without concrete plan or destination is such a fascinating way of exploring hindustan. It helps you to put things in perspective and helps you to navigate better in life. I liked how the author seamlessly deals with historical/sociological/cultural facts and stories without sounding mechanical. The book is dedicated to all the truck drivers and the author does a great service to them by being absolutely honest about their struggles and challenges on the road.
I resolve to treat these growling beasts respectfully which is unfortunately not the case around. Also travelling is much about unlearning as it is about learning, when long held prejudices wither away in the face of empirical evidence. This travelogue was also a reminder that India is a place where multiple centuries jostle with each other in plain sight. More importantly the book has been able to humanize the life of countless faceless people who precisely drive the economy of the nation....more
After a long period of time I have finished a book in one stretch. The book is highly readable and is very immersive too. I find it admirable that theAfter a long period of time I have finished a book in one stretch. The book is highly readable and is very immersive too. I find it admirable that the authors chose graphic novel format to convey some of the most profound ideas and logical underpinnings of mathematics. The greatest advantage this book presents is the accessibility of the content. It helps common people who might not be well versed with foundational mathematics to atleast have a peak into that world. I also liked the psychological interplay of various personalities in the book. Some of them are indeed respected philosophers and mathematicians of all time. The content manages to bring out the human side of the story through interactions. Although some literary liberty has been taken to give depth to the story but it isnt completely masking the reality. The authors have tried to build the story through the eyes of Bertrand Russell and his foundational quest in mathematics.
The parallel track of authors discussing these grand ideas also makes it more interesting. The authors have very well stated that it's by no means a serious maths/science/philosophy book. The fundamental focus is on the narrative and the development of logic. Through this they also go on to discuss the political and social condition of the times the personalities lived in. The book starts with the profound conviction that all the great problems are solvable rests on the principle that the world is totally understandable by reason. That if a question can be rigorously stated, it can be logically answered. But probably towards the journey and the epic search for truth one realizes that this might not necessarily be true always....more
When you are young you read that Watson and Crick helped decoding the DNA model. It's only later one realizes that Rosalind Franklin was the researcheWhen you are young you read that Watson and Crick helped decoding the DNA model. It's only later one realizes that Rosalind Franklin was the researcher who actually spearheaded the study and is not even credited for it. She deserved much more acclaim and visibility but that wasnt the case. Its fascinating to read about the everlasting impact she had on the field. She was a true fighter in all senses. She defied the social conventions, kept researching even while battling with cancer and stood up to colleagues who tried to dismiss her just because she was a woman.
Nevertheless,she will continue to inspire countless generations who follow in her footsteps.Just like DNA - the genetic strands of life that she studied- Franklin's legacy will most certainly continue to live on....more
Darwin defined evolution as descent with modification, which is another way of saying that evolution rarely creates anything completely new. All evoluDarwin defined evolution as descent with modification, which is another way of saying that evolution rarely creates anything completely new. All evolution does is refurbish old traits, turning them into ones that suit current needs. And this could be the story of all human emotions; they are variations on ancient emotions that we share with other animals and specifically mammals.
The anthropomorphism argument is rooted in human exceptionalism. It reflects the desire to set humans apart and deny our animality. The rejection of similarity between human and other animals invites greater problem than the assumption of it. The proposal put forth by author is pretty simple- Emotions are like organs. They are all needed and we share them with all the mammals. Emotions are both biological and essential. None is more basic than the others, and none are uniquely human. More importantly emotions can be good, bad and ugly, which is true for animals as it is for us.
Perhaps the greatest misunderstanding about emotions is that they are the opposite of cognition. We have translated the dualism between the body and mind into one between emotion and intelligence, but they actually go together and cannot operate without each other. The author has discussed more about the distinction between emotions and feelings too. This book does repeat some of the central ideas which were present in de waal's previous books.
Scientific pursuit has clearly accepted the continuum principle in all spheres of biology. But somehow there is still reluctance when it comes to cognition or intelligence or sentience or consciousness. The author tries to answer all this with various examples from primate studies or corvid studies or with examples of domesticated species behavior. As Charles Darwin had said succinctly -" Man in his arrogance thinks himself a great work ,worthy of the interposition of a deity. More humble and I believe truer, to consider him created from animals."...more
As an atheist the concepts of divine feeling or cosmic intervention or any sort of belief system devoid of rationality doesnt really make any sense toAs an atheist the concepts of divine feeling or cosmic intervention or any sort of belief system devoid of rationality doesnt really make any sense to me. But I would be utterly wrong if I say that religion as a system doesn't excite me. I am always in awe of this complex set of mechanism which humans evolved to answer the unknowns.
In this fine book the author uses food(prasadam so to say) as an anchor and guide to parse the faith systems across various pilgrimage sites in India .Food plays a central role in probably all the religions across the globe. Added to that are the local intricacies or variation associated with the food which is served in a particular sacred site. The author does a great job in conveying the central ideas of faith systems in some of the pilgrimage sites in India. She beautifully builds the story around the prasadam which is served at a particular site. Whether it's the mega preparation story about grand meal at jaganath puri or something as simple as unni appam( fried dumplings) at a ganesh temple in kerala, it's very intriguing to know about the back story or so to say the folklore associated with it. I have been always fascinated with the myths, legends and folklores associated with gods and more importantly the sacred sites. To me they are one of the finest pieces of storytelling. In this book one will come across many stories behind well known places or sites mentioned. It's very relatable and accessible because most of us might have heard some versions of it through grandparent's storytelling or some other means.
Another good part about the book is the inherent diversity which is so central to India. The author started with udupi and then moved to kashi, ajmer,puri and many more. The assimilation of various cultures and traditions has been the cornerstone of our civilization and we as a nation cannot afford to forget that. As a whole it was genuinely a pleasant read and I throughly enjoyed every aspect of it....more
It is vast, comprehensive and uniquely beautiful. The book is very engrossing and manages to keep the interest intact throughout. I am sure I will keeIt is vast, comprehensive and uniquely beautiful. The book is very engrossing and manages to keep the interest intact throughout. I am sure I will keep coming back to it when I will make those sightings of bird species in the wild hopefully.
The most interesting aspect is the relation between birds and human culture. How a particular bird is placed within the socio cultural realm of human activities is too fascinating to read. The only complain I have is that very less number of pages are devoted for birds of prey. Although I do understand that because bird diversity is indeed very large and one cant afford to overemphasize on any one group of birds.
Overall the photographs are also a visual treat and beautifully placed along the way. It enhances the value of content in the text format brilliantly....more
Open is undeniably one of the finest books I have read in recent times. Andre Agassi manages to be brutally honest with his journey and it's a fascinaOpen is undeniably one of the finest books I have read in recent times. Andre Agassi manages to be brutally honest with his journey and it's a fascinating piece of sports literature to say the least. The book is unputdownable throughout the course. It manages to strike a chord with non sports readers too I guess. The primary reason can be the fact that it's a humane journey. A man sets out to do something which he hates to the core. He keeps striving and grinding throughout the process without realising the true motivation behind it. As humans we all face situations where we are good at something but yet we dislike the thing to the core. It was a shocking revelation to the world that one of the finest tennis players hated the very game which he played for years.
The journey can be equated to coming of age story. Andre did find purpose and was at peace within oneself in the later stages of his career. But this didnt mean that it was a linear path. He had his fair share of troubles on and off the court of tennis. One can witness the graph very clearly because Agassi goes onto revealing various aspects in this memoir.
I specially enjoyed reading about the great Pete Sampras - Andre Agassi rivalry. It's very rare to actually get a peep into the minds of arch rivals in sports. There was mutual admiration but there was also a sense of uneasiness fueled by competition. Being a Roger Federer fan I was so elated while Agassi was showering praises on him in the book. Also I loved reading about various other instances of Agassi facing his peers and competitors.
The book also has lot of moments where one can find some life lessons. Some lessons like the whole idea of having any lasting value or meaning is only possible through helping others or impacting others in positive ways. Being a grown member of human race means to endure, to love and rever all those who have ever suffered,even those who had failed to endure.
The whole Agassi- Graf romance and the courtship makes a very interesting read. One could really witness the child like innocence and admiration of Agassi when he meets Steffi Graf. It was so nice to see the admiration Agassi has for Steffi Graf. Undeniably Steffi Graf is one of the greatest players to ever play tennis and probably Agassi knows this better than anyone else.
More than anything open is very relatable to all readers. One doesnt need to be a sports or tennis enthusiast to enjoy the book. It's a story which will resonate with all. At the end of the day we all are trying to understand ourselves better. Sometimes we do it earlier and sometimes it can take ages.Open is a story of finding oneself amongst the drudgeries of life....more
I would like to rate this book 5 stars because I surely believe that its an essential and absolutely critical read. I have been a great admirer of SapI would like to rate this book 5 stars because I surely believe that its an essential and absolutely critical read. I have been a great admirer of Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari for what it stands for. Humankind challenged me along the lines of Sapiens and I think its important that we as humans keep challenging our worldviews often.
The basic premise of the book which the author thinks is a radical idea is quite simple. It says that most people, deep down, are pretty decent. It sets out to debunk the veneer theory which says that humans by nature are selfish, aggressive and quick to panic. He says that we humans suffer from negativity bias and also availability bias of news.
He starts the book with the discussion of lord of flies novel. He sets out to claim that if humans actually get stranded on an island then the things wont spiral down as it did in the fictional world. To back up the claim he actually presents a real life incident where group of boys get stranded and they actually end up creating a happy and peaceful commune.
I completely agree with the author when he explains about the evolutionary history of mankind. Its true that human beings are ultrasocial learning machines. We are born to learn,to bond and to play. Hence its not so strange that blushing is the only expression that’s uniquely human. Blushing after all is quintessentially social. It’s people showing they care what others think and this fosters trust and enables cooperation. But it’s a painful fact that the mechanism which makes humans the kindest species also in turn makes us the cruelest species.
The most important lessons were in the curse of the civilization chapter of the book. In this the author points out how the settled life has brought so much misery for civilization. Also its important to take note of the fact that civilization as an idea is still very new when compared to the whole existence of humankind. The very things which we hold up as milestones of civilization such as invention of money, development of writing, birth of institutions, started out as instruments of oppression.
In the subsequent chapters the author breaks down the relevance of the most famous psychological experiments such as Standford prison experiment and Stanley Milgram experiment. The author starts with results of the original experiment. He then point by point debunks the scientific inconsistencies and goes on to defend his assertion that these experiments were manipulated by the researchers. He doesn’t stop there but also cites results of other experiments where the results were completely opposite to what original experiments like Stanford prison or Stanley claimed to be.
The author also points out that humans innately are aversive to violence.To support this claim there are ample case studies cited in the book .The author thinks that most of violence which occurs is because of the power dynamics. He contends that the people who are far away from actual action are most prone to order for violence.
The author underlines the power of intrinsic motivation.There are some fascinating examples in the book which kind of helps us understand it more. The question should no longer be how to motivate others, but how we shape a society so that people motivate themselves. Because nothing is more powerful than people who do something because they want to.
There is a chapter called Homo ludens(playing human) in the book which is very fascinating, It says that humans have this incredibly powerful tool which is playing. Yes by playing the author means in the broadest sense which is the freedom to navigate wherever curiosity leads. To search and to discover, to experiment and to create. Not along the lines of what society sets out, but just because for the fun of it.
The next chapter underlines about the importance of commune and how that has helped in many cases. For the longest time in civilisation commune systems have worked beautifully until we decided to settle down in one place. In current scenario we need institutional diversity which recognizes that markets work best in some cases and and state control is better in others.
The last few chapters are based on reforming our whole justice system. It also discusses this idea that if we treat people right then you can only hope that they treat you right. Whenever any extremist act gets committed our response should be more democracy, more openness and more humanity. Because tough talk, retaliation, shutting down borders, dropping bombs etc is easy but not the solution.
The whole crux of the book can be summed up in this. To believe people are hardwired to be kind isn’t sentimental or naïve. On the contrary, its courageous and realistic to believe in peace and forgiveness. I still believe that humans are much more nuanced than what author wants us to believe and this is why I don’t completely agree with the author. But yet its important to read diverse point of views to understand things better and not submit ourselves to our own bubbles and pre conceived notions....more
This book is indeed an apposite to the present scenario of the world. The book is very brief and concise but does cover topics which has great magnituThis book is indeed an apposite to the present scenario of the world. The book is very brief and concise but does cover topics which has great magnitude and importance. Some of the lessons I gathered from the book are -
1. We must strive to become intellectual nomads, keep moving, keep learning, resist confining ourselves in any cultural or mental ghetto, and spend more time at margins where the real change comes from.
2. In a world that has increasingly become complex and challenging, group narcissism has become a compensation for personal failures, flaws & frustrations.
3. Democracy is much more fragile than we thought it was. It is a very delicate system of checks and balances that constantly needs to be nourished and nurtured.
4. In a world that is ever shifting and unpredictable it is totally fine not to feel fine. It is perfectly okay not to be okay.
5. One of the greatest paradoxes of our time is that hardliners are more passionate, engaged and involved than many moderates.
6. Dont be afraid of complexity. Be afraid of people who promise an easy shortcut to simplicity....more
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