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Ecological Intelligence
From the back "Ian McCallum -- medical doctor, psychiatrist, naturalist, writer and former rugby Springbok -- has written a book that is timeous, urgent and with profound implications. We know that the modern world's increasing distance from Nature has left us impoverished, floundering in our search for direction and the will to right the ecological ills of our planet. In this optimistic work, McCallum explores the relationship between human beings and Nature, from both a biological and poetic perspective. He argues that understanding and reinforcing the evolutionary bonds that interconnect us with all life will lead to a greater sense of proportion and of our place in the world."
243 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
20 people are currently reading
396 people want to read
About the author
Ian McCallum
16 books18 followersIan McCallum is a medical doctor, Jungian psychologist, wilderness guide, and founder of the Wilderness Leadership School in the Cape of Good Hope. He is the author of the novel Thorns to Kilimanjaro and a poetry collection, Wild Gifts. In the 1970s he played fullback for Springbok, South Africa's national union rugby team. McCallum currently lives in Cape Town with his wife, Sharon.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 29, 2012
Bought this book at kirstenbosch botanical gardens in Cape Town. It was sold in connection to an art exhibit entitled " Untamed", works aimed at reconnecting man with nature. Really striking pieces. I am not typically interested in hard biology. This book pulled me in because the author is a psychiatrist, naturalist, and poet. When it gets multidisciplinary, thats when i get really excited. Though it had some super scientific moments it was more of a manifesto and amazingly thought provoking.
Actually read the book while on an 8 day cross country mobile safari through the national parks of Botswana. At 30 years old this was my first real experience in nature and with wild animals. Going into this experience I already had strong philosophical beliefs about life and religion which I won't go into here. This book was an amazing companion to my experience! I felt validated but my thoughts expanded.
This book is not a quick read. It must be consumed and digested but it's worth it. When you literally have lions at your dinner table and elephants outside your tent while you sleep, it's a perfect motivation to ponder your place in the world as well as your connection your wild animal friends. I can't recommend this book enough.
Actually read the book while on an 8 day cross country mobile safari through the national parks of Botswana. At 30 years old this was my first real experience in nature and with wild animals. Going into this experience I already had strong philosophical beliefs about life and religion which I won't go into here. This book was an amazing companion to my experience! I felt validated but my thoughts expanded.
This book is not a quick read. It must be consumed and digested but it's worth it. When you literally have lions at your dinner table and elephants outside your tent while you sleep, it's a perfect motivation to ponder your place in the world as well as your connection your wild animal friends. I can't recommend this book enough.
March 12, 2011
Muy bien! I bought two copies, I liked it so much. One to keep, and one to share!
February 11, 2017
One of the few books I started but did not bother finishing after I got about half way. How come?
Well to start with it consists of 2 completely different things. Ecology and poetry. The first one I am interested in, the second I am not. I thought it was an interesting idea, but in the end it did not work for me.
On the poetry part I cannot comment as I have no idea of it. On the ecology part however I can.
The reason for the second star is that the book was very thought provoking for me. I disagree with the author on a few things, but in a good way that lead me to thinking a few interesting thoughts.
However the further I got into the book the more I got annoyed. The first time I thought about quitting was the sentence: "if you believe this say quickly yes " about one of his ideas. If you are a scientist you do exactly the opposite. Check the facts, consider the implications and form a logical conclusion, not quickly, but thoroughly then you do not need to believe anything!
I gave it another shot though until I got to a point where the author claims that the "vast majority of cells in your body are nerve cells " what a nonsense! The real numbers are a quick and easy fact check away and if the author cannot be bothered to spend the time to check his facts I sure do not want to waste my own time on reading the book anymore than I already had.
Well to start with it consists of 2 completely different things. Ecology and poetry. The first one I am interested in, the second I am not. I thought it was an interesting idea, but in the end it did not work for me.
On the poetry part I cannot comment as I have no idea of it. On the ecology part however I can.
The reason for the second star is that the book was very thought provoking for me. I disagree with the author on a few things, but in a good way that lead me to thinking a few interesting thoughts.
However the further I got into the book the more I got annoyed. The first time I thought about quitting was the sentence: "if you believe this say quickly yes " about one of his ideas. If you are a scientist you do exactly the opposite. Check the facts, consider the implications and form a logical conclusion, not quickly, but thoroughly then you do not need to believe anything!
I gave it another shot though until I got to a point where the author claims that the "vast majority of cells in your body are nerve cells " what a nonsense! The real numbers are a quick and easy fact check away and if the author cannot be bothered to spend the time to check his facts I sure do not want to waste my own time on reading the book anymore than I already had.
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September 26, 2015
In a word - Disappointing.
I am a believer in the principles of Deep Ecology, treating every living organism and all forms of life as having the intrinsic right to exist, separate from their usefulness to mankind. I am also quite well acquainted with ecological concepts and the interconnectedness of living and non-living things on Earth. But when the discussion begins to veer towards the spiritual and intangible feelings of 'oneness' with other creatures I begin to tune out. The author is undoubtedly highly educated and intelligent judging from his qualifications both as an MD and psychiatrist, and also artistically gifted in the realm of poetry. Perhaps there is some truth in the concept of psychic connections between all living things in what he calls a 'mindfield', my understanding of quantum physics being just too shallow to comprehend its repercussions. In any case, he did not succeed in convincing me.
Other than one or two chapters that dealt with more tangible subjects like the evolutionary history of life and humans, the others took effort from me not to lose focus as they dwelt on the metaphysical and spiritual aspects of nature that make up 'ecological intelligence'.
The author also makes the sharp contrast between hunting for food and trophy hunting, the latter which he abhors and the former he finds acceptable and even highly respectable. While the qualities needed to track and hunt wild animals may indeed be admirable, we must not forget the extinction of megafauna everywhere man had set foot outside of Africa, as we ate our way around the world until we were forced to settle down and become farmers.
I am a believer in the principles of Deep Ecology, treating every living organism and all forms of life as having the intrinsic right to exist, separate from their usefulness to mankind. I am also quite well acquainted with ecological concepts and the interconnectedness of living and non-living things on Earth. But when the discussion begins to veer towards the spiritual and intangible feelings of 'oneness' with other creatures I begin to tune out. The author is undoubtedly highly educated and intelligent judging from his qualifications both as an MD and psychiatrist, and also artistically gifted in the realm of poetry. Perhaps there is some truth in the concept of psychic connections between all living things in what he calls a 'mindfield', my understanding of quantum physics being just too shallow to comprehend its repercussions. In any case, he did not succeed in convincing me.
Other than one or two chapters that dealt with more tangible subjects like the evolutionary history of life and humans, the others took effort from me not to lose focus as they dwelt on the metaphysical and spiritual aspects of nature that make up 'ecological intelligence'.
The author also makes the sharp contrast between hunting for food and trophy hunting, the latter which he abhors and the former he finds acceptable and even highly respectable. While the qualities needed to track and hunt wild animals may indeed be admirable, we must not forget the extinction of megafauna everywhere man had set foot outside of Africa, as we ate our way around the world until we were forced to settle down and become farmers.
November 10, 2012
The middle-of-the-road rating doesn't reflect on the ideas in the book, which I completely agree with. However, they're not particularly new or original ideas, especially for the environmentally aware and nature/animal-connected generation. Add to this MacCullum's style of writing, which may be enjoyed by some, by wasn't really by me (at times a little corny, at times a little staid) and you get an "it's okay" summation.
January 14, 2016
Perhaps having the privilege of meeting the author and hearing his approach made this book more meaningful for me. While much of the biology was familiar territory it is his concept of a 'mind field' that I find particularly compelling. Thought provoking in the extreme. Highly recommend this to those who have a concern about the planet and its inhabitants.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews