Sapiens- What do you think?

[Elena]

What did you think about the Cognitive Revolution and Agricultural Revolution? I'd love to hear any of your opinions or thoughts so far!

[Sonja]

I think it is crazy that we have placed ourselves in this modern situation full of materialism and greed and that we've convinced ourselves that it's for the betterment of humanity. It is so interesting to read a book like this when the world is in a state of isolationism and distancing - something that hasn't happened in millennia. Absolutely mind-boggling and interesting.
I think that we've lost a lot of essential skills like foraging and basic survival but that makes sense since our world is different and requires different skills - I just wish we'd kept it up. Especially in a time like this when items that would be commonplace might no longer be readily available.
I think the most entertaining fact I've come across from the book so far is that the origin of our languages arose from the fact that people were essentially gossiping. Wild to think about since we know the power of language and the impact that words can have on us now.
It's a lot to process and unpack but it really makes you think about humans and the state of us as a species now.

[bá]

Hi Elena!

I think for a long time we have been fed one version of what our species was...almost as if we are told that people have always organized or done things a certain way and so we should too.
One part that really stuck with me was when the author discussed the impact of wheat in people's lives. At least I thought agriculture and the way we are able to control what we eat (in a way) was one of "our" greatest steps. However, it really turned things upside down for me. After all, it does control us and gives us an illusion of power over nature that, in reality, we don't have.
I was also fascinated with all the information about individual and group habits present in homo sapiens communities, especially regarding instinct! I remember even telling friends about the fact that people used to eat as much fruit as they could when they found it, which is why when we get hungry we still look for something sweet and high in calories, since our brain/body is, somehow, still a nomad - isn't that crazy? How after all these centuries we are still so close to nature and to who we were in early stages?
I'm actually so happy you chose this book for April because I had been planing to read it for a while now and finally did!

[Elena]

Sonja wrote: "I think it is crazy that we have placed ourselves in this modern situation full of materialism and greed and that we've convinced ourselves that it's for the betterment of humanity. It is so intere..."

I also love the simplicity exhibited in the section of the life of a hunter/forager! I feel that Harari gave quite a rosy and glowing description of that time due to how connected the homo sapiens where at that time to all flora and fauna. How cool would it be to be in touch with nature to that extent?!

[Elena]

Bárbara wrote: "Hi Elena!

I think for a long time we have been fed one version of what our species was...almost as if we are told that people have always organized or done things a certain way and so we should t..."

I was absolutely fascinated by the wheat section as well! I had never considered the concept of human kind being "domesticated by wheat" and it hasn't left me since. I had always assumed the agricultural revolution was a massive step forward for mankind and was struck by the negative implications.