Episode · The Joe Rogan Experience · 2018-11-13
Books mentioned on #1201 - William von Hippel
William von Hippel is a professor of psychology at the University of Queensland. His new book "The Social Leap" is available now via Amazon.
William von Hippel recommended Blueprint by Robert Plomin and The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker, discussed Catching Fire by Richard Wrangham and Enlightenment Now by Steven Pinker, and criticized Sex at Dawn by Christopher Ryan and others.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
-
Sex at Dawn
Sex at Dawn by Christopher Ryan and Cacilda Jetha is a popular book that challenges conventional assumptions about human sexuality and monogamy.
Critiqued“have you ever read sex at dawn mmm-hmm what did you think of that um no offense but I think it's total crap”
Where to get it
-
Catching Fire
Catching Fire: How Cooking Made Us Human by Richard Wrangham is a provocative anthropological study arguing that the harnessing of fire and the invention of cooking were the primary driving forces behind human biological and social evolution.
Discussed“Now you write about this book Catching Fire Richard Wrangham argued that what enabled that so if you look at the gut of a gorilla or a chimpanzee in their brain they got a lot of gut for a little bit of brain because it takes a lot of digestion to keep a little bit of brain going we have”
Where to get it
-
Blueprint
Blueprint by Robert Plomin is a 2018 book by the behavioral geneticist that argues DNA is the primary factor shaping human psychological differences, personality traits, and life outcomes.
Recommended“so I don't know if you saw this book that Plomin just wrote called blueprint Robert Plomin he's a behavioural geneticist I haven't seen that oh it's a lovely book just came out”
Where to get it
-
The Better Angels of Our Nature
The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker is a comprehensive historical study arguing that violence has steadily declined throughout human history.
Recommended“and I actually I think Pinker's got the best answer to this question which is basically well what structures do you need to put in place to make the world a safer and less violent place and and I don't know if you've talked to him about his book better angels of our nature I know you've talked to him”
Where to get it
-
Enlightenment Now
Enlightenment Now by Steven Pinker is a data-driven defense of reason, science, humanism, and progress that argues humanity is living in an era of unprecedented health, prosperity, and safety.
Discussed“and that's of course the point of Pinker's newest book enlightenment now know things are going freaking great turn it anarchy”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (2) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“um the social leap yes”
“totally my decision I can't wait to read your book excellent up for everybody it's available right now assumption deep go get it”