Ishmael

That book made me realize that all the truths everyone "just knows" and takes for granted aren't necessarily truths. They're beliefs, or myths.

on HN, 2019

Quinn uses a hypothetical conversation between a gorilla and a person to highlight the fundamental us versus them approach humans take with the rest of earth.

on HN, 2020

However, it prompted me to pursue a degree in bioanthropology. Most of the enthographic literature is consistent with the hypothesis that people don't willingly join civilization (city-based, hierarchical societies) when given the choice.

on HN, 2017

Its main lesson is that culture tells us there is only one way for civilization to act in the world and that we cannot examine this imposition -- because of the "fish asks 'what's water?'" situation we're in -- until we really unpack what narratives are driving people to act and think in the ways they do.

on HN, 2023

The most powerful lesson I learned here is what anthropologists call cultural relativism. This book also taught me that everyone is under the influence of Mother Culture and her stories.

on HN, 2020

His biases are clear, but even if you disagree with him, looking past those there is still the very important lesson that much of what we take for granted as true about the world is really not much more than shared mythology, not some objective, universal truth.

on HN, 2022

Ishmael is one about an intelligent ape that explains the natural world to a guy in socratic dialogue style.

on HN, 2018