Read at your own risk.

Urges us to consider what the cost of progress truly is. If economic growth doesn’t lead to any improvement in our overall quality of life is it really the kind of advancement we want to perpetuate? Ryan takes an approach to human nature that refutes Hobbesian belief that we naturally selfish, miserable creatures. Rather, Ryan believes we are innately generous people that thrive on sharing and reciprocity- but an unnatural civilized world has led us to adopt negative adaptations. We often choose to be self-serving, private, and stingy for the sake of surviving in a manmade environment that deeply contrasts how we should be living. Humans are unique in that we are the only animals that inhabit a zoo of our own design.

This is an interesting audiobook that delves in to the broad-strokes of human history and cultural studies by examining humanity’s “progress” throughout millennia.

Narrated by the author, this audiobook feels like a persuasive essay, as Ryan aggressively articulates his feelings on common misconceptions and beliefs taken for granted about human history/society. He very strongly wants the reader/listener to come to terms and agree with his take on these issues and strongly forces his views upon you.

I appreciated the anthropological aspects of this audiobook as I always enjoy anthropological works. The historical components of this work were somewhat lacking and I would not recommend this audiobook to those that are unfamiliar or have minuscule knowledge of human history.

Overall, this audiobook provides off-the-norm takes on various aspects of human history and anthropological aspects of human culture. This audiobook is good for those well-versed in history and anthropology and provides the reader/listener with a more well-rounded understanding of said topics.

At it’s best it’s a free associative stream of thought with a genuinely charming and thoughtful quality, at its worst it’s hippie boomer ramblings with misinterpreted evidence

3.5 ⭐️
A relatively fresh perspective on progress and civilization. Food for thought.