Zero Gear Hiker on Nostr: Yesterday I have finished reading Ishmael by Daniel Quinn. I have seen people say how ...
Yesterday I have finished reading Ishmael by Daniel Quinn.
I have seen people say how the novel changed them, opened their eyes, etc. For me, this book has done no such thing. For me, it has shed light on something that has always bothered me.
It was always something I couldn't quite put my finger on - a bunch of questions that all seemed to ask about different issues, but which - according to this book - have a singular answer.
Questions like how are we ever going to evolve beyond Homo sapiens sapiens when instead of letting ourselves adapt to the environment, we adapt our environment to ourselves?
Crops grow out of earth and use nutrients in the soil. We pick crops year after year with various tricks to replenish those nutrients, but the trend is always towards soil devoid of nutrients for the plants, and intense farming is known to turn lush meadows into deserts. How is that not going to end poorly for us?
These questions and many others were answered in this book for me, but the most interesting thing is what I have realized about myself while reading this book: I essentially have a Leaver mindset (something you're going to have to find out about by reading the book) who is confused by the requirements of living according to the Taker mindset.
I don't agree with all the conclusions this book presents, but it's nonetheless an interesting read. I picked it up immediately after reading I, Robot by Isaac Asimov which I found dull in comparison, and I consider myself a fan of science fiction.
I have seen people say how the novel changed them, opened their eyes, etc. For me, this book has done no such thing. For me, it has shed light on something that has always bothered me.
It was always something I couldn't quite put my finger on - a bunch of questions that all seemed to ask about different issues, but which - according to this book - have a singular answer.
Questions like how are we ever going to evolve beyond Homo sapiens sapiens when instead of letting ourselves adapt to the environment, we adapt our environment to ourselves?
Crops grow out of earth and use nutrients in the soil. We pick crops year after year with various tricks to replenish those nutrients, but the trend is always towards soil devoid of nutrients for the plants, and intense farming is known to turn lush meadows into deserts. How is that not going to end poorly for us?
These questions and many others were answered in this book for me, but the most interesting thing is what I have realized about myself while reading this book: I essentially have a Leaver mindset (something you're going to have to find out about by reading the book) who is confused by the requirements of living according to the Taker mindset.
I don't agree with all the conclusions this book presents, but it's nonetheless an interesting read. I picked it up immediately after reading I, Robot by Isaac Asimov which I found dull in comparison, and I consider myself a fan of science fiction.