Episode · Modern Wisdom · 2025-07-03
Chris Williamson & Lyman Stone: books mentioned on Modern Wisdom #962
The Real Reason Birth Rates Are Falling - Lyman Stone - #962
Lyman Stone is a demographer, researcher, and a writer. It’s no surprise that birth rates are plummeting; raising kids feels harder than ever.
Chris Williamson discussed Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder and The Ape that Understood the Universe by Steve Stewart-Williams. Lyman Stone discussed The Proverbs by Derek Kidner.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Little House on the Prairie
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder is a classic children's novel chronicling pioneer life on the American frontier.
Discussed“But I mean, look, go read Little House on the Prairie, okay? Ma is working all the time, okay? She's not just keeping house. Ma is out there making things of economic value that then P goes into town and sells. Okay? Um and while those books are you know fictionalized they are accurate in representing that particular facet of”
Where to get it
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The Proverbs
The Proverbs by Derek Kidner is a biblical commentary and guide exploring the book of Proverbs, offering practical instruction on wisdom, ethics, and daily life.
Discussed“Um, I mean, look, you can go in the Bible in the book of Proverbs, the Proverbs 31 woman, she grows crops, she weaves fabric, she sells goods in the marketplace, she does all of the economic production of the house, the man sits in the gate, which is code for politics and war.”
Where to get it
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The Ape that Understood the Universe
The Ape that Understood the Universe by Steve Stewart-Williams is an accessible exploration of evolutionary psychology that investigates human nature, culture, and the biological drivers behind modern behavior.
Discussed“And the guy sites Steve Stewart Williams again saying, as Steve noted in the ape that understood the universe, "It is more common, not just among humans, but in nature at large, for females to be the sex that invests more in children. We shouldn't find it surprising or offensive if women indicate a greater desire to spend time with”
Where to get it
