The Secret of Our Success: How Culture Is Driving Human Evolution, Domesticating Our Species, and Making Us Smarter, Joseph Henrich (Princeton University Press, 2015). There are books that have had a greater influence on my thinking, and there are certainly books I’ve devoured with greater enjoyment, but
Four years ago I tried to read this book, even though the parts I read are very insightful and I realized the book is important, I could not bring myself to finish it.
Glad that I found your review today. Not sure if it were time/personal change or your writing that makes the content much more 'consumable' for me now.
Also, the personal insights and notes of related works throughout the summary give a new dimension to the original content, and are very relatable to me.
Like you said, we can either choose to be rational about every action/decision, or we can simply be meta-rational by surrounding ourselves with people we want to be like. I'm glad I found your substack.
I don't think the first footnote is really fair — they didn't know they would have a second book at all, I think. But, great review and if you like Austen check out Thackeray, he's much funnier.
Four years ago I tried to read this book, even though the parts I read are very insightful and I realized the book is important, I could not bring myself to finish it.
Glad that I found your review today. Not sure if it were time/personal change or your writing that makes the content much more 'consumable' for me now.
Also, the personal insights and notes of related works throughout the summary give a new dimension to the original content, and are very relatable to me.
Like you said, we can either choose to be rational about every action/decision, or we can simply be meta-rational by surrounding ourselves with people we want to be like. I'm glad I found your substack.
"As I've been writing this review, I’ve also been making my way through the works of Jane Austen for the first time."
Two questions: 1) which book is your favorite; and 2) why is it Persuasion?
I don't think the first footnote is really fair — they didn't know they would have a second book at all, I think. But, great review and if you like Austen check out Thackeray, he's much funnier.