The Great Book Devourer’s Reviews > Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind > Status Update

Liberal Humanism - individualistic and protects freedoms = western democracies.

Socialist humanism - collectivist and stresses equality = communist nations.

Evolutionary humanism - separate superhumans and subhumans = the Nazis.

“Those who resent the mutilation of Indian culture by the British Raj inadvertently sanctify the legacies of…the conquering sultanate of Delhi. And whoever attempts to rescue ‘authentic Indian culture” from…these Muslim empires sanctifies the legacies of the Gupta…Kushan…and the Maurya Empire.”

“Since most masculine and feminine qualities are cultural, rather than biological, no society automatically crowns, each male a man, or every female a woman…Males must prove their masculinity constantly, throughout their lives, from cradle to grave, in an endless series of rites and performances. And woman’s work is never done – she must continually convince herself and others that she is feminine enough.”

“The story of the luxury trap carries with it an important lesson. Humanity’s search for an easier life released immense forces of change…Nobody plotted the agricultural revolution or…dependence on cereal cultivation….decisions aimed at filling a few stomachs and getting security, had a cumulative effect of forcing ancient foragers to spend their days carrying water buckets under a scorching sun.”

“Perhaps this is exactly why are ancestors wiped out the Neanderthals. They were too familiar to ignore, but too different to tolerate.“

Narcissism of minor differences?