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Table of Contents

• Epigraph
• Introduction
• I. The Basics
  • 1. We are part of nature
  • 2. We are complex beasts
  • 3. We strive to balance competing concerns
  • 4. Each human life is a journey
  • 5. We seek unity
  • 6. We experience resource scarcity
  • 7. We live in cooperative groups
  • 8. We each manage four interrelated realms
  • 9. We favor individuation
  • 10. We observe the world around us
  • 11. We communicate via sophisticated languages
  • 12. We make things for one another
  • 13. We require periods of leisure
  • 14. We can choose to help or hurt one another
  • 15. We forge identities that provide meaning
  • 16. We are fallible
  • 17. Specific trust is built between individuals
• II. Focused Attention
  • 18. Our attention is a limited resource
  • 19. Shallow attention alerts us to danger
  • 20. Deep attention satisfies and delivers
• III. Shared culture
  • 21. Culture provides a group’s operating system
  • 22. We write things down
  • 23. We perform tests
  • 24. We retain what works
  • 25. We share stories
• IV. The Restless Animal
  • 26. We have powerful imaginations
  • 27. We appreciate novelty
  • 28. We crave play, exploration and innovation
  • 29. We pursue growth and development
  • 30. We figure things out
  • 31. We invent new things
  • 32. We improve things
  • 33. We compete with one another
• V. The Most Adaptive Species
  • 34. We are the most adaptive species
  • 35. Our species evolves via genetic evolution
  • 36. Groups adapt via cultural change
  • 37. Individuals adapt via autonomy
  • 38. Individuals can effect social change
  • 39. Beware the backlash
• VI. Shared Values
  • 40. Values form one element of a group’s culture
  • 41. Values are also nested
  • 42. Values are not absolutes
  • 43. Autonomy provides freedom to balance values
• VII. A Web of Interconnections
  • 44. Each group fulfills a purpose
  • 45. Groups define roles for their members
  • 46. Roles often provide for specialization
  • 47. Groups are often nested
  • 48. Groups use a variety of social structures
  • 49. Family is the foundational paradigm
  • 50. Friends and colleagues expand the circle
  • 51. Tribes organize even larger groups
  • 52. Written culture allow groups to expand
  • 53. Experts form peer groups
  • 54. Multicultural societies include diverse subgroups
  • 55. Groups pool their resources
  • 56. Large groups require governance
  • 57. We form preferences for particular structures
  • 58. We generally trust fellow group members
• VIII. At Our Best…
  • 59. We juggle groups and structures
  • 60. We build and maintain civilizations
  • 61. We cultivate empathy
  • 62. We feel a sense of shared humanity
  • 63. We do not demand perfection
  • 64. We recognize the need for balance
  • 65. We think and care big picture and long-term
  • 66. We practice and expect fair play
  • 67. We use critical thinking to tackle hard problems
  • 68. We make art to communicate with others
  • 69. We provide education
  • 70. We recognize religions as human constructs
  • 71. First and last, there is wonder
• IX. Missives
  • 1. Introduction to Site
• Back Matter
  • Apology for Use of Masculine Terminology
  • Structure and Navigation
  • Cited Authors
  • Reference Models
  • Bibliography
  • Index of Topics
  • Random Thing to Know
  • Random Quote
  • Search
  • Rights and Licenses
  • Colophon
  • Feedback
  • Donations