Sound Bite
Countering popular beliefs, Andy Turnbull offers an alternative view of the development of civilization based on Jane Jacobs' scenario and E.O. Wilson's belief that we are an eusocial species, valuing cooperation and teamwork above individual initiative.
About the Book
Andy Turnbull takes our notions about early humanity and turns them on their heads. In place of the "savannah" model of civilization, he posits a waterfront existence, noting that even today the vast majority of humans live near a body of water.He goes on to describe the social structures of some of Earth's most successful creatures, those which have been around for 100 times longer than humans, and he tracks the steps humanity is taking toward that type of society.The models he cites are in the insect world;termites, bees and ants;and they don;¢t allow much room for individual liberty or creativity. Is that the way of humanity's future? Like it or not, believe it or not, the Industrial Revolution, the Women's Movement, corporate and media propaganda and other modern trends seem to be moving us in that direction.Tantalizing and at times shocking, Turnbull's examples and data give an idea what kind of world this is leading us to. It's good and it's bad, but could we even stop it if we tried?
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