Left in the Dark

by Graham Gynn

'This is a totally new way of looking at the evolution of the human brain. It is so totally fresh, unexpected and hitherto un-thought-of that it will probably take a long time before evolutionary anthropologists and psychologists begin to take it on board; but it will make an impact, of that there is no doubt. It will be, it must be, taken very seriously in any discussion of human origins.'

Colin Groves - Professor of Biological Anthropology at the School of Archaeology & Anthropology, Australian National University and author of several books including A Theory Of Human And Primate Evolution and Bones, Stones and Molecules

Left in the Dark expounds the most radical reinterpretation of existing evidence from the disciplines of evolution, ecology, neurology, psychology, anthropology and other academic fields, whilst also placing the ancient ‘Ages of Mankind’ mythology and related traditions within a scientific context. These universal traditions were once the only version of history we had, they describe the onset and progression of a neurodegenerative condition that really has left us in the dark. Often considered no more than the imaginings of a primitive mind and easy to dismiss as mere myths, they are in fact a more accurate natural history of humankind than modern science has thus far recognised. The book outlines the origin and nature of a condition that eventually left us virtually blind to its existence. Evidence is cited that supports such a scenario. A means of definitively testing its validity is proposed and most importantly what can be done to treat the condition and prevent its occurrence. While this may seem a challenging prospect it promises amongst other things the restoration of phenomenal abilities, exceptional immune function and most importantly a greatly enhanced state of mind and well being only rarely glimpsed by a tiny minority.

For more information visit www.leftinthedark.org.uk

Genres: Science, Health, Psychology, Brain

237 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Gwern · Rating 1 out of 5]

Moved to gwern.net.

[Anna Prokopová · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never left any comment on anything here, but this book really does deserve it! This one particularly is a very eyes-opening and it has answered me a lot of my whys. Now I finally have an idea what is behind all our crazy behaviours and how the delicate chemistry of our brain determines just simply everything in our lives.
Thanks a lot! I'm amazed :)

[Ashvika Amalan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book “Left in the Dark” suggests that the loss of our natural-fruit-based diet is to blame for humanity's woes. It proposes that humanity was pushed from its forest home, whether owing to a meteor strike, dwindling woods, or a simple population explosion, and traveled into places that could not supply the species with the fruit that made us the most intelligent on the earth.

Not only have our brains plateaued since that loss, but humanity is now suffering from a gradual neurological illness that distorts our vision of the world and alters our sense of self.

"Left in the Dark" suggests that we only can access our right brain through a left-brain filter, thereby limiting our potential to access these states.

10/10 would recommend!!

[Benjamin Volynchook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone with a brain should read it! Excellent and fascinating.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot from this book. I've learnt more about the benefits of raw food and the problems with our current food habits. I've also learnt a number of fascinating facts regarding sleep, hormones, lefthandedness and neuropsychology - some actually quite practical and useful knowledge for living a good and healthy life. However, I disagree with the reductionism the author's espouse, especially regarding Dr Strassman's DMT trials (see DMT : The Spirit Molecule). Their position is refuted brilliantly in Graham Hancock's Supernatural.

[John Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a clearly writen and well documented with an extensive bibliographies of the quoted works revelent to this exploratory book. A lot of speculation and soothe saying. In the end the impression I was left with, is that this was in reality a well crafted prospectise appealing for an opportunity/funding for the writers to engage in Left Brain, Right Brain in deepth research. I found it a valuable catalogue of what's happening in the search for soul in the human mind. Well worth ploughing through all the fruit in the trees stuff.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot from this book, in particular about diet and human physiology. It presents a fascinating theory that our ancestors where specialized fruit eaters, but separation from this food source around 200,000 years ago had a harmful effect on body chemistry. The research makes a compelling argument that the post separation diet has caused the human brain to devolve far from its evolutionary peak. Leaves you wondering what our frugivore ancestors were like beforehand - perhaps their time was indeed the 'golden age' that the ancients wrote about.

[David Lamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though much of the book is theoretical in stance rather than empirical or experimental, the authors provide much food for thought. Definitely a candidate for interdisciplinary research frameworks.

[Яна Хараланова · Rating 4 out of 5]

Интересна книга с доста смела хипотеза. Допадна ми доста и ми намести/обясни някои неща.