Where Are We Heading?

The Evolution of Humans and Things

By: Ian Hodder

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

In this engaging exploration, archaeologist Ian Hodder departs from the two prevailing modes of thought about human evolution: the older idea of constant advancement toward a civilized ideal and the newer one of a directionless process of natural selection. Instead, he proposes a theory of human evolution and history based on "entanglement," the ever-increasing mutual dependency between humans and things.

Not only do humans become dependent on things, Hodder asserts, but things become dependent on humans, requiring an endless succession of new innovations. It is this mutual dependency that creates the dominant trend in both cultural and genetic evolution. He selects a small number of cases, ranging in significance from the invention of the wheel down to Christmas tree lights, to show how entanglement has created webs of human-thing dependency that encircle the world and limit our responses to global crises.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2018 Ian Hodder (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

IMPORTANT book, but another one that ends insane.

The subject matter is very important, but like all of these books it ends with someone saying "oh we can't stop this this is just how humans are, modernity and things and inventions and civilization is all inevitable" or something? Hodder is wrong at the end. this way of life cannot be sustainable and it is only through the development of agricultural civilization that things became the monsters they are.

A necessary listen

This book is a great insight into the human condition. Well articulated and easy for all to understand, it opens one’s eyes to the inner and outer workings of human progress as well as regress.

Entanglement

This is a great book. The author balanced the ideas of actions by humans and the subsequent result with possible solutions.

Brilliant archeologist

Would love to have all of Ian Hodder's books on Audible. Highly recommend watching all his talks on YouTube

Interesting Journey through a Theory

This work takes off very slowly as he leads us through various theories held by philosophers and anthropologists that may scare off some readers, but if you can stick with it, it can lead to an appreciation of his approach.

Once you get past the tangle of names and competing theories, you are rewarded by his demonstration of the dependencies of humans on things. This “entanglement trap” takes the form of connected dots in agriculture, manufacturing, and our very Social Evolution, resulting in Inequality, contingency and determinism.

Hodder takes on a convoluted tour of the twists and turns of this entangled Reality leading to his conclusion that in order to confront the inevitable consequences of Climate Change we must not just come up with changes to the Things we Humans are dependent on, but rather change our dependence on those very things. Change us not them!

Something to think about, no?! Four stars. ****

A must read

A long term perspective and clear thinking, absolutely amazing. By studying the past we can understand the now and perhaps also where we are headed. It's a crucial read.

very good book. in general as good as Sapiens.

very good, as good as Sapiens and Homo Deus, but unfortunately not with the same humor (he try sometimes, but he not fun. And sometimes a little "waken" culture). In regarding to information, it's a good book about how entanglement is the main drive of the world. very good analysis.

Great reading, Green wt thoughts, and a fantastic ending.

It felt rare when reading this book. It is a cleaver, especially at the ending.

Thoughtful view of progress and interdependencies

The approach and thesis of the author has been something I have thought about for years and appreciate the well-rounded and balanced perspective of our lives, its change and the "entanglements" with people, events, processes, and things.

For those who listen to the book, the narrator sounds a bit erudite - which gives a flavor that might have been better extinguished to ensure a bit more common place urgency to the thought for our future.

With that said, I wish the author discussed future challenges of food cultivation, animals, scientific research, unknown crises (viruses, climate change, shortage of fish, impact of changes in warfare and religion and economic alliances). Nonetheless, a thoughtful book.

Half useful

The first half is good, summarising what we know. Then the author gets entangled in fantasy and subjects he obviously knows little about: his understanding of Economics, for example, seems to have been gained from The Guardian.

The book sounds like a failed attempt to break new academic ground. It doesn't convince.