This is a very interesting book to understand the human behavior under the scope of domestication. It supports the hypothesis that Homo sapiens has seThis is a very interesting book to understand the human behavior under the scope of domestication. It supports the hypothesis that Homo sapiens has self-domesticated during its evolution of 300.00o years, most males controlling the aggressive males for the sake of survival of the community.
It all boils down to this, in each of us there is this animal instinct that can be triggered under dire circumstances (reactive aggression). Some mammals, Human and apes are also interestingly capable of planned murder (proactive aggression) when they see their power surpasses that of the target.
Humans appear docile compared to apes but one has to remember this:
“Among our ancestors, coalitionary proactive violence directed at members of their own social groups enabled self-domestication and the evolution of the moral senses. Now it enables the functioning of states. Unfortunately it also gives our species war, caste, the butchery of helpless adults, and many other forms of irresistible coercion. The reason coalitionary proactive aggression enables these despotic behaviors is straightforward. A coalition of proactive human aggressors can choose when and how to be aggressive to their victims in such a well-planned way that they can achieve their goal with ovewhelming force and without risking their own safety. As long as the victim cannot assemble a defense, the ability to plan with clinical detachment gives a coalition extraordinary power. Success in removing opponents is predictable and cheap.�
“If we continue to improve the protections in our societies, the level of damage will continue to recede. But we should never forget the alarming potential made possible by the exertion of extreme power. The human species has yet to record a peace that lasts for millennia; and in a nuclear world, the frequency of violence might be less important than its intensity.�
Excerpt From: Richard Wrangham. “The Goodness Paradox.� Apple Books....more
Ginny Moon is an impressive debut. The style, sensitivity, humor is all perfect. I enjoyed this one very much. Falls in the same category with EleanorGinny Moon is an impressive debut. The style, sensitivity, humor is all perfect. I enjoyed this one very much. Falls in the same category with Eleanor Oliphant and Curios incidence of the dog.....more
Wonderful book, inspiring and especially for those who are are stuck in a rut momentarily on the way toward their goals. Rita Levi-Montalcini appears Wonderful book, inspiring and especially for those who are are stuck in a rut momentarily on the way toward their goals. Rita Levi-Montalcini appears as a very down-to-earth, humble, true-to-ones-self person. I certainly wish I had seen her alive, attended a lecture of hers or something similar. The way she could continue to focus on her research under fascist Italy and German invasion, her perseverance, is just remarkable, amazing....more
Great book. This is a book about self improvement and the obstacles to it. It neatly tackles the problem of self-awareness from many vantage points. IGreat book. This is a book about self improvement and the obstacles to it. It neatly tackles the problem of self-awareness from many vantage points. I especially enjoyed the part where she explains how and why people rather lie to others faces rather than telling the truth and what it costs to all. And also the comparison of being too analytic versus too aloof, both of which make it impossible to improve oneself. A hopeful point is that according to the writer, some of the a.holes in our lives might just be the unaware type. It was a perfect start for this reading year....more
This is a very beautiful, meaningful, assuring board book. It has beautiful pictures, it is very uplifting to read, after buying it as a gift, I boughThis is a very beautiful, meaningful, assuring board book. It has beautiful pictures, it is very uplifting to read, after buying it as a gift, I bought one for myself too, to keep at our coffee table. ...more
Not only it is very easy to read and understand, but it has study designs that are so witty, I feel I am getting smarterThis is a truly awesome book.
Not only it is very easy to read and understand, but it has study designs that are so witty, I feel I am getting smarter just by reading it. The information presented here is so important that anyone in a leadership position must be aware of this. It is very well in accord with the data from the book 'Pathological Altruism` by B. Oakley and points out some of the misinterpretations presented in `The Invisible Gorilla`.
If you are interested in why people lie and cheat, how a bad apple can ruin the whole basket and how to prevent these, read this book. Also read this just to have some fun in human behaviors.
This is a very easy to read, funny yet interesting book. It follows in the line of books that tell us how and why of things, but based on scientific dThis is a very easy to read, funny yet interesting book. It follows in the line of books that tell us how and why of things, but based on scientific data.
This one delves into the difference between reality and perception and how taking our own perception for truth (or believing in other`s for that matter) can catapult us so far away from it. The interesting thing is that (and there are many examples of this in the book); our brains are wired that way, which makes it even harder to abide by science than fiction. And even if you abide by science, we see examples of misuse of data and statistics to bend the truth.
So the next time I see a commercial that starts with a story, or someone tries to lure me into buying some idea or thing through their own story, or defends a thwarted causality; I am more equipped....more
This was my first Mark Haddon book (and his first also). This book was a huge success and brought him 3 awards (Whitbread Book Awards for Best Novel aThis was my first Mark Haddon book (and his first also). This book was a huge success and brought him 3 awards (Whitbread Book Awards for Best Novel and Book of the Year, the Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best First Book, and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize) a couple of years ago.
The book opens with a mystery. Through the mystery we observe the life and thinking pattern of a 15 year old boy who has Asperger's syndrome. Asperger's is a cognitive/behavioral variant accepted among autism spectrum. What is hardest for these people is coping with the sensory overload they get from regular circumstances; something we have to deal in everyday life. (thus, anything ranging from a hug or a walk on the street to a crowded birthday party can be a problem)
The author roots for the people in similar circumstances like his protagonist, and shows us in the course of the story (and through inner dialogue) that, we are all capable of excelling even with our shortcomings when we are determined, because we have this self-imposed need for evolving to a higher version of ourselves..
Over all except for the part that quotes Sherlock Holmes in detail, I liked this book very much,...more
I reread this after realizing I couldn't remember enough to compare with Kahneman`s book. They are mostly aligning, only Kahneman suggests against makI reread this after realizing I couldn't remember enough to compare with Kahneman`s book. They are mostly aligning, only Kahneman suggests against making snap judgements and relying more on evidence whereas Gladwell gives views from both sides and stays impartial.
Blink is about unconscious decision making. Our unconscious side is fascinating, because it seems to be the one that holds the strings most of the time; making very fast decisions, watching out for any threat to our existence. However when our drives (the motivators of unconscious) are in conflict, ourrational mind is quick to get in. The rational mind is also there to make corrections, and making plans.
So it seems that mostly we are on autopilot for unimportant things, and also when we have to do something at lightening speed. But at other times even if there is an urge to act instinctively, one should act relying on data rather than on instinct....more
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