Born Different : The curious traits and lives of hunter-gatherer minds

by Andreas Hofer, Adrienn Raczi

This book may be helpful to those who have long suspected that their minds and/or bodies work differently to the majority of the population.

We intend this book to
•Serve as ‘food for thought’ and raise further interest in the topic
•Fuel full-fledged scientific studies/genetic research
•Guide and help likeminded people

Needless to say, while the word ‘hunter-gatherer’ (‘HG’ going forward) may initially sound slightly derogatory to some, the hunter-gatherer hypothesis does not imply that people with such minds were inferior; it is purely a hypothesis on divergent minds, who are wired differently and share unique characteristics. These divergent hunter-gatherer minds live in a society that could be considered a 'farmer society'. Of course, we don’t live literally in an agricultural society, but by farmer society we imply evolved tendencies for routine work, many more rules than freedom-loving HGs feel comfortable with, and high levels of conformity. Sociological studies by Michele Gelfand (2020) have shown that real farmer societies tend to be 'tight' (with lots of rules and high enforcement), whereas hunter-gatherer societies, such as the Inuit and Hadza are quite loose (few rules and requirements of adherence).

To be clear, most people in history have been farmers, which includes hunter-gatherer types living in farmer societies. In fact, many HG type people have told us they ran a small farm or dreamed of doing so. Ironically, HGs are the least likely to become 'hunters' in real life because they hate killing animals for purposes other than survival.

Here is where modern HGs can be found frequently: science and philosophy (asking deep questions about our existence), technology (because of the highly systemising mind), the arts (because of experiencing the world more intensely), caring professions and often as outsiders if they can’t find a place within society. Of course, many HGs do not have unusual jobs, but jobs like, teachers, accountants, or waiters. However, these HGs often have the feeling that they do not completely fit in and are not self-actualised.

This book is split into two parts. In Part 1, we explore the most important scientific ideas, starting with the original idea that linked ADHD to hunter-gatherer minds. We also look at theories related to genetic research, psychology, and psychopathology. We intend to make an attempt to link and synthesise all the afore-mentioned information and shed light on potential relationships and implications. Part 2 works out our theory in more detail and is spiced up with our survey results and real-life stories.

Genres: Adhd, Nonfiction

152 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 6, 2020

About the author

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Reviews

[Elizabeth Bombino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first book from this author and gave it five stars. So how could rate this higher? Well My recommendation would rate this higher only because everything expounded in “The Hunter-gather neurotribe: gifted,geeks,aspies and other aliens in this world” is here as well. The authors addition of personal anecdotes and others from their survey makes this book shine in comparison. My ancestors are Sami and some later identified them selves as Finnish. Theses books completely explains why our families immigration to the USA and then into American society (some never did) has not been an easy one for many of us. Also and most importantly the information in this book lights a fire in me help nourish and support my children and grandchildren gifts.
I’m very grateful to Andreas for it was his answers on Quora that brought me to this and help me solve this generational mystery that no other book I’ve read has