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4.31 AVERAGE
4.31 AVERAGE
hopeful
medium-paced
Some interesting points, especially about debunked psychological studies (which were repeated as fact when I studied psychology 20 years ago). I think the upshot of this book is that most people are just people. There are issues I think could have been explored that weren't - for example, the appalling treatment of women in many parts of the world. When entire societies are built on the exploitation and oppression of women, it's hard to believe that "people" (read = men) are generally good, just because the author can demonstrate that they might generally be good to *one another*.
I think it would have also been worth exploring that some people are literally born without the capacity for empathy. Those people are often the ones who lead destructive, warring or genocidal regimes, and the rest of us follow precisely because we give people the benefit of the doubt and see the good in others. This was beifly touched up, and I'm not complaining that the author didn't write the specific book I wanted to read, I just think that to acknowledge that maybe the majority of people are generally OK, we have to be realistic that a minority are genuinely ruthless, cold and dehumanising. All the kindness in the world can't make those people good, and even if they're 1% of the population, that's a lot of people.
A interesting read overall though. I particularly liked hearing about how political reform is possible when genuine power and decision making is handed to citizens - I've long believed that part of the reason things feel so bleak in much of the Western world is that people no longer feel they have any tangible stake in their society. Although I was aware of Norwegian prisons, reading about the impact of that approach on recidivism rates was eye opening.
Whatever my thoughts on the book, I admire the author's optimism. It's nice to read a book about what's good, and what we can do, rather than all the things that are wrong.
I think it would have also been worth exploring that some people are literally born without the capacity for empathy. Those people are often the ones who lead destructive, warring or genocidal regimes, and the rest of us follow precisely because we give people the benefit of the doubt and see the good in others. This was beifly touched up, and I'm not complaining that the author didn't write the specific book I wanted to read, I just think that to acknowledge that maybe the majority of people are generally OK, we have to be realistic that a minority are genuinely ruthless, cold and dehumanising. All the kindness in the world can't make those people good, and even if they're 1% of the population, that's a lot of people.
A interesting read overall though. I particularly liked hearing about how political reform is possible when genuine power and decision making is handed to citizens - I've long believed that part of the reason things feel so bleak in much of the Western world is that people no longer feel they have any tangible stake in their society. Although I was aware of Norwegian prisons, reading about the impact of that approach on recidivism rates was eye opening.
Whatever my thoughts on the book, I admire the author's optimism. It's nice to read a book about what's good, and what we can do, rather than all the things that are wrong.
"We need to realise it’s okay that we’re all different–there’s nothing wrong with that. We can build strong houses for our identities, with sturdy foundations. Then we can throw open the doors."
Schitterende journalistiek, gebaseerd op wetenschappelijk onderzoek aangevuld met eigen speurwerk en verteld op een vlot lezende, zelfs meeslepende manier. Het gros van de aangehaalde onderzoeken kwam elders en eerder al aan bod in de betere artikels, podcasts en boeken, maar Bregman brengt ze mooi samen in een samenhangende analyse die overtuigend de aanname onderuit haalt dat de mens van nature tot het slechte geneigd is. Waar het naar mijn smaak enigszins fout loopt is in het tweede deel van 'De meeste mensen deugen'. Hier probeert Bregman te schetsen hoe het besef dat de meeste mensen deugen concreet tot een betere, aangenamere, eerlijkere wereld kan leiden. Opnieuw komt hij met boeiende verhalen en wetenschappelijke bronnen, dit keer over onder meer burgerbegrotingen en compassie en intrinsieke motivatie... Alleen vervalt hij hier in de rol van prediker, van pleitbezorger. De 'oplossingen' worden minder kritisch tegen het licht gehouden dan zou kunnen en dan je van een getalenteerd journalist en historicus zou verwachten.
Bregman waarschuwt halverwege zijn boek, verwijzend naar Bertrand Russell, op het belang van 'the will to doubt' en het gevaar van je te laten afleiden door wat je wilt geloven. Bregman kiest er expliciet voor om zich daar niet teveel van aan te trekken en gaat voor 'The Will to Believe' van William James. Dat is natuurlijk zijn volste recht, maar maakt het tweede deel in mijn ogen (journalistiek) veel minder sterk.
Bregman waarschuwt halverwege zijn boek, verwijzend naar Bertrand Russell, op het belang van 'the will to doubt' en het gevaar van je te laten afleiden door wat je wilt geloven. Bregman kiest er expliciet voor om zich daar niet teveel van aan te trekken en gaat voor 'The Will to Believe' van William James. Dat is natuurlijk zijn volste recht, maar maakt het tweede deel in mijn ogen (journalistiek) veel minder sterk.
I don’t feel that I agree with every conclusion the author reached, but the sentiment and the evidence behind it are deeply compelling.
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I needed this book so desperately. It restored my faith in humanity. It looks dense, but it reads very quickly and is very accessible. I learned a lot and have soooo many tabs to go back to when I need.
A hopeful history, indeed. Well worth the read, especially in these times of uncertainty.
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
anything i could write now sounds, or at least seems, very naive:
“this book restores faith in humanity”
but genuinely? it does.
an entire book arguing with psychology, history and anthropology
about one take: that humans are inherently decent.
and you know what? i believe it.
because why would i not?
this is a book i wish everyone had read. because maybe, maybe agreeing with this take is not naivety but genuinely is reality?
changes a lot
“this book restores faith in humanity”
but genuinely? it does.
an entire book arguing with psychology, history and anthropology
about one take: that humans are inherently decent.
and you know what? i believe it.
because why would i not?
this is a book i wish everyone had read. because maybe, maybe agreeing with this take is not naivety but genuinely is reality?
changes a lot
fast-paced
This book was something I actively chose to find hope in my life, however, I feel like there were bits I didn’t understand. I like the concept of there being hope in history. I’ll have to look at the cliff notes.
Heel fijn ander perspectief op de mensheid. Makkelijk leesbaar, goede voorbeelden.