Civilized To Death

The Price of Progress

De: Christopher Ryan

Narrado por: Christopher Ryan

The New York Times bestselling coauthor of Sex at Dawn explores the ways in which “progress” has perverted the way we live—how we eat, learn, feel, mate, parent, communicate, work, and die—in this “engaging, extensively documented, well-organized, and thought-provoking” (Booklist) book.

Most of us have instinctive evidence the world is ending—balmy December days, face-to-face conversation replaced with heads-to-screens zomboidism, a world at constant war, a political system in disarray. We hear some myths and lies so frequently that they feel like truths: Civilization is humankind’s greatest accomplishment. Progress is undeniable. Count your blessings. You’re lucky to be alive here and now. Well, maybe we are and maybe we aren’t. Civilized to Death counters the idea that progress is inherently good, arguing that the “progress” defining our age is analogous to an advancing disease.

Prehistoric life, of course, 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. But ultimately, Christopher Ryan questions, were these pre-civilized dangers more murderous than modern scourges, such as car accidents, cancers, cardiovascular disease, and a technologically prolonged dying process? Civilized to Death “will make you see our so-called progress in a whole new light” (Book Riot) and adds to the timely conversation that “the way we have been living is no longer sustainable, at least as long as we want to the earth to outlive us” (Psychology Today). Ryan makes the claim that we should start looking backwards to find our way into a better future.

We need to think deeper about our own Zoo.

This is a book I have been looking forward to for years due to Ryan's podcast and it did not disappoint. Ryan has produced (and narrated here) what I imagine will be the cause of a very big ripple in Western culture. We are in the midst of a meaning crisis with some symptoms of the crisis being a toxic divisive political circus, mass distraction through consumerism, and environmental destruction. Recent books like this one, "Tribe" by Sebastien Junger, "Lost Connections" by Johann Hari, along with evolutionary theory (and some might say common sense) point to the possibility that the cause of our meaning crisis may simply be the fact that the meaning and purpose we all need to thrive may be found by trying to live in accordance with our nature as a social ape who craves acceptance, belonging, and a collective to whom we as individuals can contribute to the wellbeing of.

To nit pick on some issues I had due to my current knowledge base and subsequent biases I docked a star each for Story and Overall. To provide some balance to a few of the brilliant arguments put forward by Ryan here I would highly recommend curious people who liked this book to check out "Stubborn Attachments" by Economist Tyler Cowen and also "The Beginning of Infinity" by Physicist David Deutsch.

Bravo Chris. This is an astounding piece of work that is very much needed.

Chris has been my involuntary mentor for years.

I'm so glad CTD finally came out. Having listened to all of his podcasts I already knew his shtick, but hey. Still refreshing. Also, I'm glad he personally recorded the reading. I'm impressed, brother.

an epic solution to societal and cultural problems

Christopher Ryan does an amazing job of teaching us what research shows is the healthiest way humans should live and interrelated. This book is crucial for anyone seeking Optimal Health optimal interpersonal relationships and an optimal way to happiness

Thorough and thought provoking.

I really enjoy the layout of this book. I really appreciate Dr. Ryan’s research. I know i will be listening again.

Very interesting compelling read

Once again Chris manages to eloquently dissect our modern existence and highlight the conflicts of our so call civilised society.
I was impressed with “sex at dawn” but this latest book is even better.

Chris Ryan delivered truth as usual!

Can’t say enough good things about Chris Ryan and the writing he’s put into the world. Sex at Dawn and now Civilized to Death are two of the most straightforward, truthful books I’ve read. With no instruction on how to live, Chris helps us step back and look at our existence in the current moment through a timeless perspective, showing our nonsense ways in a new light. I’m forever changed for the better because of his work and these books. Meanwhile, I was pleased with the reasonable yet not overly promising hope he concludes this book with. Best of luck to us humans in these next few centuries. So much has to change and this book illuminates the need and direction we must proceed in.

Thought provoking but has flaws

The author certainly challenges the status quo of civilization and makes some valid points. In particular the part where he discusses how quality of life and longer lifespans are not the same thing is perhaps the strongest part of the book. However, his description of foragers is very generalized.

Well, he's not wrong.

A somewhat pessimistic yet very accurate critique of culture, society and civilization as a whole. Very interesting, very well read by the man himself.

Dr. Ryan hits all the important points cogently.

Civilized to Death offers a different perspective on modern life illuminating some of the many important needs that are not being fulfilled in current social systems.

Magnífica reseña de nuestra situación como civilización

Este libro es una muy buena manera de ver cómo la civilización ha dañado nuestra naturaleza humana real entendiendo está desde la esencia del 95% de la historia de la humanidad que es la de cazador recolector. No somos una especie que pueda vivir tranquilamente en grandes multitudes y ello causa disrupciones muy bien descritas por el autor. Aunque catastrofista y realista, no deja de dar un guiño de solución al difícil futuro que nos espera