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Document Type: | Book |
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All Authors / Contributors: |
Christopher Ryan |
ISBN: | 9781451659115 1451659113 |
OCLC Number: | 1196090418 |
Description: | xiii, 288 pages ; 21 cm |
Contents: | Introduction: Know thy species -- Origin stories. What we talk about when we talk about prehistory ; Civilization and its dissonance -- Apocalypse always (The NPP in the present). The myth of the savage savage (Declaring war on peace) ; The irrational optimist -- Reflections in an ancient mirror (Being human). The naturalistic fallacy fallacy ; Born to be wild ; Raising hell ; Turbulent teens ; Anxious adults -- A prehistoric path into the future. All's well that ends well ; In the absence of the sacred -- Conclusion: A necessary utopia. |
Responsibility: | by Christopher Ryan. |
Abstract:
Prehistoric life was not without serious dangers and disadvantages: many babies died in infancy; a broken bone, infected wound, snakebite, or difficult pregnancy could be life-threatening. Were these pre-civilized dangers more murderous than modern scourges such as car accidents, cancers, cardiovascular disease, and a technologically prolonged dying process? Ryan counters the idea that progress is inherently good, arguing that the "progress" defining our age is analogous to an advancing disease. He makes the claim that we should start looking backward to find our way into a better future. -- adapted from jacket
Reviews
Publisher Synopsis
"Incredible . . . timely . . . clarifying." -Jack Dorsey, cofounder and CEO of Twitter "Engaging, extensively documented, well-organized, and thought provoking." -Booklist "Entertaining and provocative." -Publishers Weekly "Often zingy and colorful . . . Civilized to Death is unquestionably well-timed . . . Ryan is right to highlight the aspects of modern life that have gone off the rails." -Undark "[A] prescient book about the nature of progress . . . Civilized to Death will make you see our so-called progress in a whole new light." -Book Riot "This book takes on 'progress' as a guiding ethos-and does so with gusto." -The Stranger "It is increasingly clear to many of us that the way we have been living is no longer sustainable, at least as long as we want the earth to outlive us. . . . Civilized to Death is an important guide in this conversation." -Psychology Today "A fascinating read." -Seattle Times "Every great once in a while, a book comes along that makes you rethink everything you thought you knew. Civilized to Death is without question one of them." -Jesse Bering, PhD, author of The Belief Instinct "Christopher Ryan is one of the most interesting and provocative thinkers of our time. Everyone should read him-you might well disagree but you'll definitely think differently." -Johann Hari, New York Times-bestselling author of Lost Connections Read more...

