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A Hunter-Gatherer's Guide to the 21st Century

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A Hunter-Gatherer's Guide to the 21st Century

By: Heather Heying
Narrated by: Bret Weinstein, Heather Heying
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A bold, provocative exploration of the tension between our evolutionary history and our modern woes and what we can do about it.

We are living through the most prosperous age in all of human history, yet we are listless, divided and miserable. Wealth and comfort are unparalleled, but our political landscape is unmoored, and rates of suicide, loneliness and chronic illness continue to skyrocket. How do we explain the gap between these truths? And how should we respond?

For evolutionary biologists Heather Heying and Bret Weinstein, the cause of our woes is clear: the modern world is out of sync with our ancient brains and bodies. We evolved to live in clans, but today many people don't even know their neighbours' names. Survival in our earliest societies depended on living in harmony with nature, but today the food we eat, the work we do, even the light we absorb is radically different from what our minds and bodies evolved to expect.

In this book, Heying and Weinstein draw on decades of their work teaching in college classrooms and exploring earth's most biodiverse ecosystems to confront today's pressing social ills from widespread sleep deprivation and dangerous diets to damaging parenting styles and backward education practices. A Hunter-Gatherer's Guide to the 21st Century outlines science-based worldview that will empower you to live a better, wiser life.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Faber & Faber (P)2021 Faber & Faber
Biological Sciences Biology Evolution Evolution & Genetics Science
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One morning, on a mild October day, I sat down to do some design work as I often do and decided to start listening to this book. By the end of that same day I had finished the book without once wanting to remove my earpieces (except for meals, toilet breaks and a short walk when the sun appeared for about an hour at 2pm). You might think that such a response would constitute a 5 star review across the board. However, I can say that I have been a great fan of Heather and Bret for a long time and have particularly enjoyed every episode of their Darkhorse podcast. In light of this, it seems my excitement for this book was slightly overhyped... but that is entirely my own fault. If you already know Bret and Heathers way then there is nothing revelatory, new or astonishing in this book. It is more of the same (and that is by no means a bad thing!) their clear cutting, well analysed and prudently applied evolutionary lens is always a treat to behold. So if you want more of the same, plus some touching stories from their past, then this book is most likely tailored for you. If on the other hand you are not familiar with the biological power-couple. Then I implore you - read this book. The evolutionary lens is one of several spyglass' supreme through which everyone needs to be able to peep... in short, this book is a must.

More of the same

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Some good aspects and challenges the modern world.

However, not enough “science” evidence to back up some pretty big statements when dismissing some lifestyle choices/decisions. Definitely gets a little preachy as it does on.

Gets a little preachy

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teaching you how to think instead of what to think - a must read

refreshingly free of political ideology

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As a fan of their podcast, I enjoyed Bret and Heather's ideas on modern living. They both bring years of critical thinking to bear on how we all live our lives and how we might improve the experience. Well worth a listen.

Enjoyed this.

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Great book! I've been following the Weinstein's for some time now and have learned a lot about biology, complex systems, thus my bias towards them is something to keep in mind!. This book provides a set of toolkits to dissect our modern world. For me the book has highlighted how many of us, including myself, take the modern way of life to be all, end all. We try to fit within a ever evolving system, that leave little to no room to being human. To understand our past, and biological makeup, gives us a chance to see clearly and navigate through the noise that is 2021. Both Bret and Heather do a wonderful job of telling stories from throughout their lives while threating wisdom into the overall narrative Some of the biology talk does lose my at points, though that might be from my own limited knowledge of both subject and language used within the field I

Chesterton's book!

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