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4.31 AVERAGE
4.31 AVERAGE
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
hopeful
informative
3.5 rounding up. I started this book shortly after the bill to cut medicaid, food stamps, and clean energy all for mass deportations and fewer taxes for the wealthiest passed. And while I already do believe that humans are overwhelmingly, if not inherently, good, times like that make it extra hard to see that.
Bregman's argument--that humans are hardwired to be kind and cooperative--was sometimes supported by cherry-picked, subjective/anecdotal evidence (and, to be honest, at times a bit TOO optimistic for cynics like me). But, importantly, he does use data, history and research to also show us the nuances, ethical concerns, flawed methodology and more of well-known studies (e.g. Stanford prison experiment) and even fictional literature (e.g. Lord of the Flies) we were all taught that made it seem humans are inherently bad. And it is important to shut that thinking down. As Mehrsa, a reviewer I agreed with said "...this bleak worldview has led us into bad policies and behaviors because we assume that if the police state was slackened, there would be absolute mayhem and murder in the streets. That is just not true."
Bregman's argument--that humans are hardwired to be kind and cooperative--was sometimes supported by cherry-picked, subjective/anecdotal evidence (and, to be honest, at times a bit TOO optimistic for cynics like me). But, importantly, he does use data, history and research to also show us the nuances, ethical concerns, flawed methodology and more of well-known studies (e.g. Stanford prison experiment) and even fictional literature (e.g. Lord of the Flies) we were all taught that made it seem humans are inherently bad. And it is important to shut that thinking down. As Mehrsa, a reviewer I agreed with said "...this bleak worldview has led us into bad policies and behaviors because we assume that if the police state was slackened, there would be absolute mayhem and murder in the streets. That is just not true."
challenging
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
<blockquote>This is a book about a radical idea. An idea that's long been known to make rulers nervous. An idea denied by religions, ignored by the news media and erased from the annals or world history. At the same time, it's an idea that legitimized by virtually every branch of science. An idea so intrinsic to human nature that it goes unnoticed and gets overlooked. If only we had the courage to take it more seriously, it's an idea that might just start a revolution. Turn society on it's head. Because once you grasp what it really means, it's nothing less than a mind-bending drug that ensures you'll never look at the world the same again. So what is this radical idea? That most people, deep down, are pretty decent.</blockquote>
This book challenged all my long standing views on human nature and it changed me for the better. Throughout the book, Rutger Bregman makes a watertight case on why, at their cores, humans are good. He presents well documented experiments and numerous real world examples to support his claims. In addition to providing extremely interesting subjects that you can easily fall down the rabbit hole of (especially concerning the abundant sections on Hunter Gatherers' way of life), it also imbues you with warmth and hope.
In our modern world where cynicism is regarded as realism and the agreed consensus being that humans are selfish, greedy and evil, this book is a much needed breath of fresh air. Bregman talks about the history of this misconception and he gives us a message: <blockquote>To stand up for human goodness is to take a stand against the powers that be. For the powerful, a hopeful view of human nature is downright threatening. Subversive. Seditious. It implies that we're not selfish beasts that need to be reined in, restrained and regulated. It implies that we need a different kind of leadership.</blockquote>. It is not realism to assume to worst in people, it is the easiest. The challenge is to see through our prejudices and realize that everyone at their core is like us. Human. Decent. Helpful.
This book is a reminder that we need to collectively snap out of our negative self image. Since the start of agriculture and settled life, we humans have lost touch with ourselves. Nowadays, even as a child we are thought to not trust anybody and to assume the worst of everybody. We are not meant to live like this, it is the humans' nature to be friendly, kind and helpful. Even civilization, with all it's power and control over us, can never manage to change our true nature. That we are good. That all we want to do is be there for each other. Bregman has a beautiful quote about this: <blockquote>To believe people are hardwired to be kind isn’t sentimental or naive. On the contrary, it’s courageous and realistic to believe in peace and forgiveness.</blockquote>
I have neven been this much affected by a piece of literature before. I whole-heartedly believe that this is a book that EVERYONE on Earth must read. For too long we have condemned ourselves. <b>It is time for a new view on humanity.</b>
To quote from the closing chapter of the book:
<blockquote>The thing we all need to remember–myself included–is that those other folks are a lot like us. The angry voter venting on TV, the refugee in the statistics, the criminal in the mugshot: every one of them is a human being of flesh and blood, someone who in a different life might have been our friend, our family, our beloved. Just like us, as one British soldier realised, ‘they have people they love at home’. When we hole up in our own trenches, we lose sight of reality. We’re lured into thinking that a small, hate-mongering minority reflects all humankind. Like the handful of anonymous internet trolls that are responsible for almost all the vitriol on Twitter and Facebook. And even the most caustic keyboard crusader may at other times be a thoughtful friend or loving caregiver.</blockquote>
This book challenged all my long standing views on human nature and it changed me for the better. Throughout the book, Rutger Bregman makes a watertight case on why, at their cores, humans are good. He presents well documented experiments and numerous real world examples to support his claims. In addition to providing extremely interesting subjects that you can easily fall down the rabbit hole of (especially concerning the abundant sections on Hunter Gatherers' way of life), it also imbues you with warmth and hope.
In our modern world where cynicism is regarded as realism and the agreed consensus being that humans are selfish, greedy and evil, this book is a much needed breath of fresh air. Bregman talks about the history of this misconception and he gives us a message: <blockquote>To stand up for human goodness is to take a stand against the powers that be. For the powerful, a hopeful view of human nature is downright threatening. Subversive. Seditious. It implies that we're not selfish beasts that need to be reined in, restrained and regulated. It implies that we need a different kind of leadership.</blockquote>. It is not realism to assume to worst in people, it is the easiest. The challenge is to see through our prejudices and realize that everyone at their core is like us. Human. Decent. Helpful.
This book is a reminder that we need to collectively snap out of our negative self image. Since the start of agriculture and settled life, we humans have lost touch with ourselves. Nowadays, even as a child we are thought to not trust anybody and to assume the worst of everybody. We are not meant to live like this, it is the humans' nature to be friendly, kind and helpful. Even civilization, with all it's power and control over us, can never manage to change our true nature. That we are good. That all we want to do is be there for each other. Bregman has a beautiful quote about this: <blockquote>To believe people are hardwired to be kind isn’t sentimental or naive. On the contrary, it’s courageous and realistic to believe in peace and forgiveness.</blockquote>
I have neven been this much affected by a piece of literature before. I whole-heartedly believe that this is a book that EVERYONE on Earth must read. For too long we have condemned ourselves. <b>It is time for a new view on humanity.</b>
To quote from the closing chapter of the book:
<blockquote>The thing we all need to remember–myself included–is that those other folks are a lot like us. The angry voter venting on TV, the refugee in the statistics, the criminal in the mugshot: every one of them is a human being of flesh and blood, someone who in a different life might have been our friend, our family, our beloved. Just like us, as one British soldier realised, ‘they have people they love at home’. When we hole up in our own trenches, we lose sight of reality. We’re lured into thinking that a small, hate-mongering minority reflects all humankind. Like the handful of anonymous internet trolls that are responsible for almost all the vitriol on Twitter and Facebook. And even the most caustic keyboard crusader may at other times be a thoughtful friend or loving caregiver.</blockquote>
If you put a collection of rabid Trump supporters and Biden die-hards on a capsizing boat in the middle of the ocean, how do you think that would go down? Would like-minded individuals help only their allies? Would they sabotage the other?
Going by this book's conclusions, then we could expect all people on the boat to help each other to safety, indiscriminately. At our core, humans are social creatures who rely on the help of other to survive. Nature has not bound us to any social subset or hierarchy - society has done that to us. But when we are faced with extreme measures, no matter what, humans are always willing to help each other as they are able.
The timing of which I read this book was revelatory.
I used to think of people as having a natural selfish disposition. That we would be quicker to look down upon a stranger than to care about them. The past four years did this no favors. But that is what we are told - that we are selfish and lazy. And because we are no better than uncivilized animals, we need to be ruled. This is a fancy lie put upon by sullen hermits or people who want power.
Take for instance [b:Lord of the Flies|7624|Lord of the Flies|William Golding|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327869409l/7624._SY75_.jpg|2766512], which has framed humans as innately savage for decades. In a real life example of this - several boys were shipwrecked on an island for 15 months - cooperation and friendship defined the experience. Likewise, the Stanford Prison Experiment is a false portrayal of role playing with power. See - Norway's Halden prison.
There are many other rich ideas here, but we are living through a perfect example of this book's teachings right now: Donald Trump had zero confidence in the election process before it even started. He imagined the worst from people and is trying to make his fears come to fruition, even without any evidence in doing so. The fact that he is trying with all of his might to discredit dedicated poll counters, despite no evidence, shows that he does not believe in basic human decency.
All said, this book is for idealists. Possiblists, if you will. It is an example of what could be if we all just took a minute to look in a mirror and think better out of others and ourselves. Will this happen? Unlikely, especially today in today's super-charged climate. The book sets up its own drawbacks, but they are only drawbacks because many of us will choose to see these ideas as rubbish, demanding too much of ourselves.
But if you want the world to be a more comfortable place for all, you will need a to have a set goal to achieve. This is a good starting place.
Going by this book's conclusions, then we could expect all people on the boat to help each other to safety, indiscriminately. At our core, humans are social creatures who rely on the help of other to survive. Nature has not bound us to any social subset or hierarchy - society has done that to us. But when we are faced with extreme measures, no matter what, humans are always willing to help each other as they are able.
The timing of which I read this book was revelatory.
I used to think of people as having a natural selfish disposition. That we would be quicker to look down upon a stranger than to care about them. The past four years did this no favors. But that is what we are told - that we are selfish and lazy. And because we are no better than uncivilized animals, we need to be ruled. This is a fancy lie put upon by sullen hermits or people who want power.
Take for instance [b:Lord of the Flies|7624|Lord of the Flies|William Golding|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327869409l/7624._SY75_.jpg|2766512], which has framed humans as innately savage for decades. In a real life example of this - several boys were shipwrecked on an island for 15 months - cooperation and friendship defined the experience. Likewise, the Stanford Prison Experiment is a false portrayal of role playing with power. See - Norway's Halden prison.
There are many other rich ideas here, but we are living through a perfect example of this book's teachings right now: Donald Trump had zero confidence in the election process before it even started. He imagined the worst from people and is trying to make his fears come to fruition, even without any evidence in doing so. The fact that he is trying with all of his might to discredit dedicated poll counters, despite no evidence, shows that he does not believe in basic human decency.
All said, this book is for idealists. Possiblists, if you will. It is an example of what could be if we all just took a minute to look in a mirror and think better out of others and ourselves. Will this happen? Unlikely, especially today in today's super-charged climate. The book sets up its own drawbacks, but they are only drawbacks because many of us will choose to see these ideas as rubbish, demanding too much of ourselves.
But if you want the world to be a more comfortable place for all, you will need a to have a set goal to achieve. This is a good starting place.
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced