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The Story Of Us
Something has been going wrong in our society in the last few years. Hardwired for tribal life, we instinctively surround ourselves with people who look and think just like us. Yet, now that we live in modern and globalised times, our tribal natures have led us to conflict, polarisation, and miscommunication. Even worse, any attempt at level-headed discussions about our fractured state is labelled as radioactive. How did we get here, and why is it so hard to talk to each other about these issues?
Tim Urban, the mind behind the popular blog Wait But Why, has spent years pondering this very conundrum, and he's realised that much of our confusion around tribalism--and the divisions it produces--has to do with the language we use to think and talk about societies and the people inside them. In The Storyof Us, Urban forges a way through this impasse via a bold new theory of society, along with innovative, baggage-free language for talking about it. In typical Wait But Why fashion, Urban tells this story by using surprising new terms and metaphors--such as society as a giant human, composed of tiny little humans, making its way across an evolutionary timeline--and lots of badly drawn pictures.
A masterclass in scientific clarity and humour, The Story of Us sheds new light on why society has evolved the way that it has, and why we may be headed towards a rather dismal future if we don't learn new ways to live, and exist, together. By untangling our tribal, Us versus Them, instincts from those that encourage us to be more collaborative and open minded, Urban ultimately reveals the tools we'll need to build a more peaceful future.
Tim Urban, the mind behind the popular blog Wait But Why, has spent years pondering this very conundrum, and he's realised that much of our confusion around tribalism--and the divisions it produces--has to do with the language we use to think and talk about societies and the people inside them. In The Storyof Us, Urban forges a way through this impasse via a bold new theory of society, along with innovative, baggage-free language for talking about it. In typical Wait But Why fashion, Urban tells this story by using surprising new terms and metaphors--such as society as a giant human, composed of tiny little humans, making its way across an evolutionary timeline--and lots of badly drawn pictures.
A masterclass in scientific clarity and humour, The Story of Us sheds new light on why society has evolved the way that it has, and why we may be headed towards a rather dismal future if we don't learn new ways to live, and exist, together. By untangling our tribal, Us versus Them, instincts from those that encourage us to be more collaborative and open minded, Urban ultimately reveals the tools we'll need to build a more peaceful future.
340 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2019
43 people are currently reading
941 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 18, 2020
If you are not reading Wait but Why you miss a lot.
If you are reading Wait but Why, you miss a lot of your own life, cause this fella is wordy.
What you get:
Fun and thoughtfulness.
Completely new vocabulary on a given topic, but with one caveat - you can effectively use it only in your own thinking and with friends who are also into WBW.
Sense of love and appreciation for all/most of the humans.
If you are reading Wait but Why, you miss a lot of your own life, cause this fella is wordy.
What you get:
Fun and thoughtfulness.
Completely new vocabulary on a given topic, but with one caveat - you can effectively use it only in your own thinking and with friends who are also into WBW.
Sense of love and appreciation for all/most of the humans.
January 21, 2020
As of writing this review: 10/12 chapters have been posted.
Each chapter is a short novel in length covering different topics. These chapters have a connected goal of understanding a specific predicament through a deep sociological and psychological study.
For those wishing to really understand the political landscape, and the current ever-dividing rift, this is possibly the most valuable tool at your disposal. It teaches you how to better understand yourself and your fellow human beings long before taking you on an ever wilder descent into the darkness we've thrown ourselves in.
I would applaud the work and effort done to remain non-partisan, but after you've read it, you'll likely come to realize it was the only way it could have ever been written.
Each chapter is a short novel in length covering different topics. These chapters have a connected goal of understanding a specific predicament through a deep sociological and psychological study.
For those wishing to really understand the political landscape, and the current ever-dividing rift, this is possibly the most valuable tool at your disposal. It teaches you how to better understand yourself and your fellow human beings long before taking you on an ever wilder descent into the darkness we've thrown ourselves in.
I would applaud the work and effort done to remain non-partisan, but after you've read it, you'll likely come to realize it was the only way it could have ever been written.
March 21, 2021
As of now, the book is not finished and 10 of 12 chapters are available. Nevertheless, it's a really enjoyable read for everyone. It starts with the very basics: what motivates life and humans, how human history started and so on. If you're well versed in those topics it might feel boring if it wasn't for Tim's quirky illustrations and examples. So rather than being a dull refresher it's a ... refreshing refresher on foundations of 'human'.
Then it turns up the gears and forces the reader into more complex world of novadays politics and society. Blessed with sources and footnotes, it's a simplified but really necessary look at the issues we are facing now. And Tim goes through a lot to have the story as unbiased and nonpartisan as possible. Every example is balanced out by an equal example of the opposite side of the spectra.
Then it turns up the gears and forces the reader into more complex world of novadays politics and society. Blessed with sources and footnotes, it's a simplified but really necessary look at the issues we are facing now. And Tim goes through a lot to have the story as unbiased and nonpartisan as possible. Every example is balanced out by an equal example of the opposite side of the spectra.
December 15, 2023
шкода що останні розділи прочитав вже з веб архівів так як автор зніс цю серію постів/веб книгу тому що написав на її основі іншу і просто-книгу.
люблю от ці книжки про серйозні теми (політична думка, соціологія і психологія, політична поляризація) з упоротими (але дуже точними) ілюстраціями в пейнті, хорошим гумором і аналогіями.
з мінусів напевно тільки те що знову все дуже америкоцентричне, хоча і чесно не пробує бути чимось інакшим.
загалом така собі міленіальська іронічна апологія центризму, що мені дуже відгукується останнім часом.
типу стронглі рекоменд але хіба з веб архівів бо всьо - нема.
люблю от ці книжки про серйозні теми (політична думка, соціологія і психологія, політична поляризація) з упоротими (але дуже точними) ілюстраціями в пейнті, хорошим гумором і аналогіями.
з мінусів напевно тільки те що знову все дуже америкоцентричне, хоча і чесно не пробує бути чимось інакшим.
загалом така собі міленіальська іронічна апологія центризму, що мені дуже відгукується останнім часом.
типу стронглі рекоменд але хіба з веб архівів бо всьо - нема.
February 10, 2022
Reading the “Story of Us” provided me with a much-needed lens to undertake a comprehensive view onto the recent socio-political history of the US. This lens works equally well when directed at Europe, which is where I come from.
As Tim Urban confessed himself at the beginning of this inquiry, looking at politics used to be a cause for cringing and despair for me as well. I’m glad it no longer is such a scare to me thanks to the light shining through “The Story of Us”.
As Tim Urban confessed himself at the beginning of this inquiry, looking at politics used to be a cause for cringing and despair for me as well. I’m glad it no longer is such a scare to me thanks to the light shining through “The Story of Us”.
March 31, 2023
Ik was een fan van Tim Urban en zijn pagina Wait But Why. Ik was dus enthousiast om zijn nieuwe boek te lezen, met als ondertitel "een zelfhulpboek voor samenlevingen", dat na jaren wachten eindelijk uitkwam. Helaas viel het me erg tegen.
Mijn grootste frustratie met het boek is hoe hij zijn eigen idealen niet waarmaakt. Hij besteedt het eerste deel van het boek aan het beschrijven van hoe wij als mensen samen slimmer worden door elkaars ideeën te testen in "Ideeënlabs" en van elkaar te leren door verschillende gezichtspunten echt te begrijpen. Het is het ideaal van hoe wetenschap zou moeten werken, in tegenstelling tot wat hij noemt "Echo Kamers" waar je alleen luistert naar ideeën die de overtuigingen die je al hebt ondersteunen.
Helaas valt hij in zijn eigen "Echo Kamer"...
Deze review vond ik wel hout snijden:
https://www.nehrlich.com/blog/2023/03...
Mijn grootste frustratie met het boek is hoe hij zijn eigen idealen niet waarmaakt. Hij besteedt het eerste deel van het boek aan het beschrijven van hoe wij als mensen samen slimmer worden door elkaars ideeën te testen in "Ideeënlabs" en van elkaar te leren door verschillende gezichtspunten echt te begrijpen. Het is het ideaal van hoe wetenschap zou moeten werken, in tegenstelling tot wat hij noemt "Echo Kamers" waar je alleen luistert naar ideeën die de overtuigingen die je al hebt ondersteunen.
Helaas valt hij in zijn eigen "Echo Kamer"...
Deze review vond ik wel hout snijden:
https://www.nehrlich.com/blog/2023/03...
April 5, 2023
Tim Urban was a catalyst for me to start opening my thinking away from how I was raised. I opened my suitcase of thought, unpacked, reorganized, and repacked.
What I've been realizing over the last few years and months is that I zipped that suitcase closed. I have felt in multiple conversations my own low-rung thinking without the words to describe it. I'm glad that someone I respect like Tim Urban was able to explain that nagging feeling I had when having conversations with people and help to identify what part of these conversations are so problematic. I am recommending this book to everyone around me - we need books like this that challenge us to think in new ways.
What I've been realizing over the last few years and months is that I zipped that suitcase closed. I have felt in multiple conversations my own low-rung thinking without the words to describe it. I'm glad that someone I respect like Tim Urban was able to explain that nagging feeling I had when having conversations with people and help to identify what part of these conversations are so problematic. I am recommending this book to everyone around me - we need books like this that challenge us to think in new ways.
March 14, 2021
This book delves into the psychology and sociology of collective thought and expression and derives the reason the US political landscape is the way it is right now. Except it explains everything like I am 12. Or just an everyday individual with not more than a very fringe grasp of theories in the above topics. The book works effectively due to Tim's ability to mesh humor in novel ideas and complex theories. One of the best books I've read all year and would buy a hardcopy if it ever releases in India.
March 17, 2022
As of February 2022 it is a number of unfinished essays, that is still long enough to be rated as a book.
At the end Urban dives into American politics and I'm not sure that I'll agree his conclusions on the changes of the world needs, whatever those will be. However, a concept of two-dimensional thinking on topics is an important one. I agree it is important to understand whether someone believes their point or is seeking the truth. That (and other important thoughts like opinion spectrum) make this work an important philosophical read.
At the end Urban dives into American politics and I'm not sure that I'll agree his conclusions on the changes of the world needs, whatever those will be. However, a concept of two-dimensional thinking on topics is an important one. I agree it is important to understand whether someone believes their point or is seeking the truth. That (and other important thoughts like opinion spectrum) make this work an important philosophical read.
April 30, 2023
Very good first part, with greatly useful framework about high and low rungs thinking. After that it’s mostly overly long description of a state the US society is in, and this part is too long and boring. Visuals also cease in the second part of the book, no more revelations, just bevendone express of the same state. I wanted to cry “no more!”, but I finished it. It should have been half the size.
March 10, 2024
Very interesting and probably useful discussion about belief systems and different modes of discussion that can be used to change one's beliefs. Some of these modes of discussion, which the author argues are based on our tribal instincts, may lead to mindless polarization. This may be one of the biggest threats to democracy today. Did not finish the book as it got too particular on US politics, which I am not too interested in.
January 1, 2025
Very important book. I hope every single one human would read it at least once in their life. Please bring this book in schools, i feel this book is talking about this very important topic that I wish I would have learned about earlier. But better later than never. I actually have no words, it is a almost 400 pages long book, but I finished it in a few days. I think that if every human would read this book, then we will be able to save this world. So please if you see this, read it.
July 22, 2020
I'm amazed both by the deep knowledge of psychology and sociology displayed in Tim's posts, how he connects the dots in easy to follow storytelling lines, and the humoristic illustrations - it never gets boring. His posts are a joy to read with many "ahaa" or "coool" moments, while teaching me valuable lessons about myself, society, life and science. Long reads, but worth every minute.
July 3, 2020
'Історія про нас' - це взагалі навіть не книга - а серія статтей, масштабами в книгу.
Тім Урбан розробив, в деякому плані, теоретичну основу для розуміння того як окрема людина думає, а також розширив цю теорію до спільнот.
Тім Урбан розробив, в деякому плані, теоретичну основу для розуміння того як окрема людина думає, а також розширив цю теорію до спільнот.
April 10, 2021
Brilliant! Makes me think hard about my own thinking. Love the visualizations and metaphors Tim creates to frame and discuss the complex, multi-dimensional issues of society.
March 17, 2022
Super insightful and hilarious.
April 24, 2022
A superb presentation of multiple important concepts. Mostly it's about emergence.
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November 12, 2022Does anyone know when this book will be published?
May 3, 2023
One of my favorite threads ever. Just fantastic frameworks for thinking about life
June 14, 2022
Very in depth, funny and very visually explained and well written
January 25, 2022
Tim Urban es un CRACKKKK y wait but why es la mejor website que ha existido y que existira para siempre de los siempres.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews