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
I liked watching Cesar Millan on his show, treating problem dogs; and I liked reading his book also. Didn't know he was an illegal immigrant who had tI liked watching Cesar Millan on his show, treating problem dogs; and I liked reading his book also. Didn't know he was an illegal immigrant who had to sleep on the streets for a while.
If you are only interested in the information about treating your dog, it can fit into a sticky note page. However there are interesting things to learn when you read between the lines. Especially about leadership and anxiety, how a calm leader/partner/society can calm others, the instinct about yielding and leading. Very interesting.. One major mistake we all do is letting our dogs go before us. I see it all the time walking at the park, I used to do it with my dog (now in heaven). Apparently this confuses them to the point that they think they are the owner (and leader).
I enjoyed this book and it was very easy to read....more
Enlightening indeed! Very uplifting reading, especially for pessimists like me. He clearly points out the effect of distorted/exaggerated news, the neEnlightening indeed! Very uplifting reading, especially for pessimists like me. He clearly points out the effect of distorted/exaggerated news, the negative bias of people, dirty politics and the lack of reason behind all the sky-is -falling attitude that seems to dominate communities.
I have learned so many good facts from this book that helped me view things differently such as the global Cosmopolitanism, 8x increase in number of countries ruled by democracy within the last 50 years, the increased life quality and expectancy.
He believes in our ability to create solutions and adapt. He pinpoints the evidence that we are evolving to a better vision of ourselves despite the fluctuations that may seem like a step-back at times. Lets hope the carbon emission will be under control soon..AND that the people will trust in science more than their own beliefs and superstitions. (and act accordingly)
What an interesting book. It complemented my last reading ~ Thinking Fast and Slow by Kahneman ~ in some ways. The examples in the book suggests that What an interesting book. It complemented my last reading ~ Thinking Fast and Slow by Kahneman ~ in some ways. The examples in the book suggests that `The Neo Cortex` is such a funny dude that tricks us into thinking that we are making logical decision, that we are rational beings. In the meanwhile the other machinery that actually makes and executes the decision is pulling our strings. As stated in the book, we are a true Jeckll and Hyde dilemma. Very funny and the joke is on us....more
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
Arthur Koestler is a magnificent journalist. He can reach a wide range of documents, and give comparative reports, thanks to his proficiency in many lArthur Koestler is a magnificent journalist. He can reach a wide range of documents, and give comparative reports, thanks to his proficiency in many languages.
“The country of the Khazars, a people of Turkish stock, occupied a strategic key position at the vital gateway between the Black Sea and the Caspian, where the great eastern powers of the period confronted each other. It acted as a buffer protecting Byzantium against invasions by the lusty barbarian tribesmen of the northern steppes— Bulgars, Magyars, Pechenegs, etc.— and, later, the Vikings and the Russians. ”
“The wars of the Arabs and the Khazars, which lasted more than a hundred years, though little known, have thus considerable historical importance. The Franks of Charles Martel on the field of Tours turned the tide of Arab invasion. At about the same time the threat to Europe in the east was hardly less acute.... The victorious Muslims were met and held by the forces of the Khazar kingdom.... It can... scarcely be doubted that but for the existence of the Khazars in the region north of the Caucasus, Byzantium, the bulwark of European civilization in the east, would have found itself outflanked by the Arabs, and the history of Christendom and Islam might well have been very different from what we know.
It is perhaps not surprising, given these circumstances, that in 732— after a resounding Khazar victory over the Arabs— the future Emperor Constantine V married a Khazar princess. In due time their son became the Emperor Leo IV, known as Leo the Khazar.”
“A few years later, probably AD 740, the King, his court and the military ruling class embraced the Jewish faith, and Judaism became the state religion of the Khazars.”
Excerpt From: Arthur Koestler. “Thirteenth Tribe The Khazar Empire and its Heritage.” iBooks.
Thus begins the book about Khazar Turks.. It tells about the story of an old old Turkish tribe that converted to Jewish faith, and moved in to the Slavic regions of Europe first, but than in time in to all Europe. The hypothesis is stated as; most Jews in the world today are of Khazar origin.
“ The mainstream of Jewish migrations did not flow from the Mediterranean across France and Germany to the east and then back again. The stream moved in a consistently westerly direction, from the Caucasus through the Ukraine into Poland and thence into Central Europe. When that unprecedented mass-settlement in Poland came into beng, there were simply not enough Jews around in the west to account for it; while in the east a whole nation was on the move to new frontiers.
It would of course be foolish to deny that Jews of different origin also contributed to the existing Jewish world-community. The numerical ratio of the Khazar to the Semitic and other contributions is impossible to establish. But the cumulative evidence makes one inclined to agree with the concensus of Polish historians that "in earlier times the main bulk originated from the Khazar country"; and that, accordingly, the Khazar contribution to the genetic make-up of the Jews must be substantial, and in all likelihood dominant.”
Excerpt From: Arthur Koestler. “Thirteenth Tribe The Khazar Empire and its Heritage.” iBooks.
In addition to the information on history of religious faiths, I learned very interesting facts about my ancestors (well at least a section of them); such as being ruled by a Kagan (Hakan) (a spiritual-wise leader) and Beg (a governor-leader) at the same time (names still used prominently at those European geographic areas). Why very smart people are not liked and tortured to death. The origin of the belief in Europe `that Turks are dirty and barbaric` (it actually dates back to Kkazars). Why there are still so many cultural similarities between Jewish people and us. The actual meaning of black Turks and white Turks.And many more.
Although it is a small book, it took me a while to read, going back and forth between sources for verification and history brush-up, however it was very much worth all the effort....more
Lately Barbara Oakley has become one of my favorite writers. She is a philanthropist and a dedicated scientist with great wisdom. Life seems to have gLately Barbara Oakley has become one of my favorite writers. She is a philanthropist and a dedicated scientist with great wisdom. Life seems to have given her ample opportunities to study human behavior.
This book is a well rounded study of borderline disorder (mild narcissism to high functioning psychopathic behavior), with many examples from near history. It also casts a light on what may be expected to come. Interestingly it compliments some of the extrapolations from Sapiens (Hariri`s Book), and one of the instances mentioned may come familiar from the Outliers Book (Galdwell). Although she gives examples of leaders and important figures mostly from other countries, her fear of scrutiny from her home country readers is understandable.
The trigger for the book (or her study of the literature which she presents as the book) is her own dysfunctional family and her borderline sister. Without getting bogged down in her own story and emotions she manages to present her sister`s case and those of borderline disorders` wide range of appearances, in a very interesting and engaging read....more
A perfectly original, multi-tiered description and analysis of Ego. Not as we know it, but much much more, from a philosophical stand point. I really A perfectly original, multi-tiered description and analysis of Ego. Not as we know it, but much much more, from a philosophical stand point. I really enjoyed reading this book....more
This was a very powerful book that touched base with so many important and challenging issues of our time: such as colonialism, racism, domestic violeThis was a very powerful book that touched base with so many important and challenging issues of our time: such as colonialism, racism, domestic violence, hate and hypocrisy…
The book tells us about the life in South Africa under apartheid and after.. Life Trevor Noah had as a child; not fitting in any community. Even basic human necessities like food, running water and electricity were denied of him most of the time. He didn’t grow up in a loving and nurturing home with dependable parents. Danger, violence and fear were a part of his daily life.
Yet he tells his story with such humor and through such humanistic/existentialist perspective that one is left with awe and inspiration and deep respect for him. He is a fighter and a survivor. He is also a wonderful writer/story-teller....more
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