Natural

The Seductive Myth of Nature's Goodness

By: Alan Levinovitz

Narrated by: Joe McQuillan

Without our realising it, a single, slippery concept has become a secular deity throughout the modern industrial world. We make terrible sacrifices in its name: of our money, our health and our planet. That deity is nature itself. 

From supermarket shoppers to evolutionary biologists, from atheists to pastors, from Alex Jones to Gwyneth Paltrow, we are all prone to the intuitive faith that life should be lived 'naturally'. 

But nature can't teach us how to live. If we try to stick to its imagined commands, eschewing human artifice in pursuit of Edenic purity, we jeopardise the environment, our health and our society. (We also waste a lot of money on pots of weird slime.) It is time to accept our profound responsibility to shape the world of which our technology and our selves are wholly a part.

©2020 Alan Levinovitz (P)2020 Hachette Audio UK

"What is Natural" in a variety of subjects

Very good book that highlights what is considered "natural" in a variety of subjects, from athletics to food to economics. The author does an excellent job is highlighting the historical perspective in each subject and both sides of the arguments. I found myself switching sides on a number of issues and reflected on my views. I concluded that I will insert the word "natural" (the opposite of chemical and artificial) in whatever fits my agenda, which is ultimately what I think the author is trying to portray. Very interesting, thought-provoking and a well written book!