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If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal
If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal: What Animal Intelligence Reveals about Human Stupidity | Justin Gregg
4 posts | 7 read | 10 to read
Funny and counter-intuitive, If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal reveals how human intelligence may actually be more of a liability than a gift, and how the animal kingdom, in all its diversity, gets by just fine without it. At first glance, human history is full of remarkable feats of intelligence. We invented writing. Produced incredible achievements in music, the arts, and the sciences. We've built sprawling cities and traveled across oceans--and space--and expanded to every part of the globe. Yet, human exceptionalism can be a double-edged sword. With our unique cognitive prowess comes severe consequences, including existential angst, violence, discrimination, and the creation of a world teetering towards climate catastrophe. Understood side-by-side, human exceptionalism begins to look more like a curse. As scientist Justin Gregg persuasively argues, there's an evolutionary reason why human intelligence isn't more prevalent in the animal kingdom. Simply put, non-human animals don't need it to be successful. And, miraculously, their success arrives without the added baggage of destroying themselves and the planet in the process. In seven mind-bending and hilarious chapters, Gregg highlights one feature seemingly unique to humans--our use of language, our rationality, our moral systems, our so-called sophisticated consciousness--and compares it to our animal brethren. What emerges is both demystifying and remarkable, and will change how you look at animals, humans, and the meaning of life itself. Destined to become a classic, If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal asks whether we are in fact the superior species. It turns out, the truth is stranger--and far more interesting--than we have been led to believe.
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review
eol
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Pickpick

I won‘t lie. I picked this up because of the hilarious title.

One of the more interesting philosophy books I‘ve read. Writing is simple but engaging and coherent. Though-provoking. Relaxing. Occasionally funny.

Still properly nihilistic, tho.

Took me out of my bubble, and I couldn‘t put it down. The best philosophy books are like that—you don‘t necessarily agree with everything the author says, but you can‘t ignore it.

5.0/5

review
Walaka
Pickpick

Scientists still aren't quite sure just what the definition of intelligence is, but Gregg is pretty sure that whatever it is, humans having developed it is at best a two-edged sword and at worst the stupidest thing ever.

The book functions as primer on what it means to think and feel, and Gregg's snappy writing keeps it grounded, accessible, and entertaining on every page.

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TieDyeDude
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Mehso-so

#blameitonlitsy Sorry, @catiewithac , this was just okay for me. It was interesting at the beginning, presented clearly and conversationally. The longer it went, though, the more I questioned his thinking, but he really lost me in Chapter 6, where he discussed prognostic myopia and the climate crisis. Overall, some interesting ideas, but I certainly took issue with some of his broad strokes.

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catiewithac
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Pickpick

People, I don‘t know what you‘re reading but you NEED to add this to the list! Justin Gregg‘s debut marks the launch of an excellent new voice in science writing. Here he examines animal behavior and compares it with humans. Would Nietzsche have been happier as a narwhal? Read it for yourself!!! 🧐 🐝 🐳

RowReads1 It was on my list. I‘m not sure why I took it off. 1y
Meshell1313 🤣 my interest is piqued! 1y
AllDebooks I need this and all things Narwhal-ey. 😍 1y
Megabooks Stacked!! 1y
TieDyeDude On the hold list for the audio 😉 1y
69 likes10 stack adds5 comments