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The Wisdom of Loki: The Art of Lying in the Natural World
Everything lies. For virtually every species, lying and lie detection are essential survival skills. Organisms lie, exaggerate, and scam their way to food, to territory and to sex. Both plants and animals lie to become invisible or to increase visibility. We humans pretend we mean no harm when we intend to maim or to kill. Duped individuals can become dinners rather than dates, the biological fall guys for their fellow creatures. Even our own bodies lie to us, convincing us either that our lives’ experiences come to us in unique visions or that our partners feel precisely the same way we do. After reading this book, you will have lie-detection skills that can help you understand your fellow man, your children, and even your orchids.
- GenresScienceNonfictionNature
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 8, 2021
About the author
Ptera Hunter
7 books13 followersPtera Hunter received a Doctorate in Zoology from the University of Toronto. She has taught classes on zoology, environmental biology, and animal behavior for years. Dr. Hunter has also published a book on insects, The Unabashedly Totally Incomplete Book about Bugs, a book about deceit in the animal world (The Wisdom of Loki), Her most recent work Nothing but a Bully: A Tale of Power, Genocide and Green Beards explores the biology behind bullying from hormones to our primate social structures. In addition, she has produced several books of short stories, poetry, and journal articles. She has also spoken at international conferences on the biological roots of cruelty, discrimination, and greed. In the spirit of her books and with the inspiration of Loki, she has chosen the pseudonym "Ptera Hunter" to distinguish her nonfiction works from her creative writings. Author’s comment: “Hey, if it’s good enough for Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, Mary Ann Evans, and Samuel Clements, then it’s good enough for me.”
Together with the pen name, I chose a photo of an animal I find adorable, the free-living flatworm Dugesia. Just look at that face!
Together with the pen name, I chose a photo of an animal I find adorable, the free-living flatworm Dugesia. Just look at that face!
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 9, 2024
Really interesting read!
August 21, 2023
I enjoyed this book as bedtime reading. It's chocked full of cool information on deceit from animals to molecules and plants. And don't let the length intimidate you. The information is heavily documented, with lots of citations for further investigation and to back up claims.
January 1, 2024
My thanks to both Goodreads and the publisher Benjamin Ross & Lane for an advanced copy of this book about the many deceits that nature does to eat, to grow, to propagate, and to kill those who don't wish these things to happen.
House, MD was a great show, full of interesting characters, situations, acting and more. However what I learned most from the show was the line that was said like a mantra throughout the entire show. Everybody lies. One doesn't want to admit that drinking every night is a natural occurrence. That exercise was something one read about, but did not take part in. And oh yeah that pain is new, when it had been there for quite awhile. In lighter terms we tell children about Santa and the Tooth Fairy, that a dress looks great on someone, and that bald spot is barely noticeable. To a gullible public quick to do their own research, it was tourists in the capital, Russia is our friend, fascism is fun, and books are ruining the family. So lying is something we as humans deal with everyday. As does nature. The Wisdom of Loki: The Art of Lying in the Natural World by Ptera Hunter is a look at animals, and the lies they tell to get through their day and survive, and what we can learn from them, to maybe see the world with a little more truthiness.
Loki is the god of mischief, tricks and fire. In the Marvel Comic Universe, different than the the Cinematic Universe Loki is also god of stories. Which makes sense as many of the creatures in the book, animals, plants, chemicals, humans and more have been writing their lives for years with deception. Pretending to be dead, pretending to be bigger. Digging fake holes to confuse hunters, living inside other creatures until they can burst and live their live in full. This is the kind of book one wants to read in snippets, to share with others like I did with my nephews. The information is very well presented, and sourced very, very well. As if one did not want to be accused of decetion.
Ptera Hunter is a pseudonym for a Doctor of Zoology in Canada and is also an educator. I found it funny that the author about about book on lying wrote with a fake name. I enjoyed the book quite a bit, as the natural world is far more bizarre and weirder than we shall ever know. Again I recommend reading in snippets as sometimes the facts get a little overwhelming, and one loses what animal, or creature one is discussing. Lots of fun, and very interesting.
House, MD was a great show, full of interesting characters, situations, acting and more. However what I learned most from the show was the line that was said like a mantra throughout the entire show. Everybody lies. One doesn't want to admit that drinking every night is a natural occurrence. That exercise was something one read about, but did not take part in. And oh yeah that pain is new, when it had been there for quite awhile. In lighter terms we tell children about Santa and the Tooth Fairy, that a dress looks great on someone, and that bald spot is barely noticeable. To a gullible public quick to do their own research, it was tourists in the capital, Russia is our friend, fascism is fun, and books are ruining the family. So lying is something we as humans deal with everyday. As does nature. The Wisdom of Loki: The Art of Lying in the Natural World by Ptera Hunter is a look at animals, and the lies they tell to get through their day and survive, and what we can learn from them, to maybe see the world with a little more truthiness.
Loki is the god of mischief, tricks and fire. In the Marvel Comic Universe, different than the the Cinematic Universe Loki is also god of stories. Which makes sense as many of the creatures in the book, animals, plants, chemicals, humans and more have been writing their lives for years with deception. Pretending to be dead, pretending to be bigger. Digging fake holes to confuse hunters, living inside other creatures until they can burst and live their live in full. This is the kind of book one wants to read in snippets, to share with others like I did with my nephews. The information is very well presented, and sourced very, very well. As if one did not want to be accused of decetion.
Ptera Hunter is a pseudonym for a Doctor of Zoology in Canada and is also an educator. I found it funny that the author about about book on lying wrote with a fake name. I enjoyed the book quite a bit, as the natural world is far more bizarre and weirder than we shall ever know. Again I recommend reading in snippets as sometimes the facts get a little overwhelming, and one loses what animal, or creature one is discussing. Lots of fun, and very interesting.
May 21, 2024
I was asked to read this book and give my honest review. My background is in entomology (bugs). I also love animal behavior. With that said, I found the book interesting in that it is not written in a dry fashion. It gives LOADS of examples of animal behavior ranging from insects to fish to mammals. It cites all examples in that if I wanted to read more on a topic, I could easily do so.
The Wisdom of Loki deals with how all organisms in one way or another lie for survival. The book covers mimicry, mating, and even parasitism. I believe this book would be of interest to an instructor that is teaching an animal behavior class; a student that is enrolled in an animal behavior class; or an individual that would like to learn more about why animals AND plants have evolved means to lie and why it's necessary!
The Wisdom of Loki deals with how all organisms in one way or another lie for survival. The book covers mimicry, mating, and even parasitism. I believe this book would be of interest to an instructor that is teaching an animal behavior class; a student that is enrolled in an animal behavior class; or an individual that would like to learn more about why animals AND plants have evolved means to lie and why it's necessary!
December 23, 2024
just okay.
While not the worst book I've ever read, the book does presume at several places a completely biochemical explanation for every behaviour. It also uses several bizarre and/or downright nonsensical metaphors, and makes several claims based on questionable extrapolation. The author's definition of "lying" is so broad as to be able to encompass any behaviour even that which is not concious. Overall there are better books out there on the topic of lying as an evolutionary psychology phenomenon
While not the worst book I've ever read, the book does presume at several places a completely biochemical explanation for every behaviour. It also uses several bizarre and/or downright nonsensical metaphors, and makes several claims based on questionable extrapolation. The author's definition of "lying" is so broad as to be able to encompass any behaviour even that which is not concious. Overall there are better books out there on the topic of lying as an evolutionary psychology phenomenon
October 6, 2023
This was such a fascinating read! I loved all the examples in nature of lying behavior, deceit, camouflage, trickery, etc. And we humans thought we had cornered the market on conning and fooling others! Even though this book is dense with facts and citations, it's a pleasant read. The author is funny as well as informative.
December 4, 2023
Loved the book! Don't be intimidated by the length of the book. It's heavily referenced and documented.
Dr. Hunter explores the roots of deception and lying on a whirlwind tour that includes more than the animal kingdom. It also delves into deceit and trickery by plants and, at the molecular level, by drugs and microbes.
The author's blog has hinted that she is working on another book, but she's been secretive about the topic. After reading this one, I'm waiting for the big announcement.
Dr. Hunter explores the roots of deception and lying on a whirlwind tour that includes more than the animal kingdom. It also delves into deceit and trickery by plants and, at the molecular level, by drugs and microbes.
The author's blog has hinted that she is working on another book, but she's been secretive about the topic. After reading this one, I'm waiting for the big announcement.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews