Why people recommend it
A Brief History of Intelligence by Max Bennett is an exploration of the evolutionary origins of human cognition and smart behavior. On the No Stupid Questions podcast episode titled Should You Get Out of Your Comfort Zone?, released on April 21, 2024, Angela Duckworth discussed the book after it was recommended to her by Danny Kahneman. Initially, Duckworth expressed surprise and skepticism, noting that she had spent more than twenty years studying intelligence and what it was and was not, and yet she had never heard of Max Bennett. However, she grew to admire the work and subsequently suggested it to others. Duckworth brought up Kahneman's recommendation during the episode to illustrate the importance of open-mindedness and engaging with abstract ideas. The book resonated with her scholarly background despite her initial unfamiliarity with the author, highlighting how unexpected recommendations can lead to valuable intellectual discoveries in the field of cognitive science and the ongoing study of how various species develop intelligent traits over long periods of evolutionary history.
Who recommended it
- Angela Duckworth Recommended
Angela Duckworth — 2 mentions
“And he said, A Brief History of Intelligence by Max Bennett! And I said to Danny, I was like, never heard of Max Bennett! I spent 20-plus years studying intelligence and what it is and what it's not!”
“and he said a brief history of intelligence by Max Bennett”