Four More Great Books on Culture & Life
Books remain the most important media through which we can understand the forces shaping society and the ties that connect us as human beings. We can learn so much about ourselves and our world by examining the evolution of values, identities, and societal norms which reveal the deeply layered texture of human experience. Here are four more of our favorite reads, each sharing an enlightening (and often hopeful) perspective on how an understanding of culture creates connections, builds empathy, and drives positive change.
Humankind: A Hopeful History
Rutger Bregman (2020)
An uplifting examination of our understanding of human nature and a challenge to the pessimism that pervades much of modern cultural commentary, Bregman’s book argues against the increasingly popular idea that human beings are inherently selfish, competitive, and prone to violence. It offers instead a convincing argument for our fundamental goodness and capacity for cooperation. Bregman's central thesis is that our innate kindness and need for connection, rather than aggression or self-interest, has been the driving force behind our evolutionary flourishing. He (re)examines historical events, psychological studies, and anthropological theories, critiquing the biases and flawed interpretations that he observes in them which perpetuate the myth of in-born human cruelty.
"Humankind" is not just a feel-good book; it's a confidently researched and intellectually stimulating work that asks readers to reconsider their assumptions and presumptions about themselves, their fellow humans, and the relationship between the two. It's a call for a more hopeful and compassionate worldview, one that urges us to focus on the limitless potential for good that resides within us all. By finding and embracing the goodness in our souls, Bregman argues, we can create a world that is more just, honorable, and enriching for everyone.
The Creative Act: A Way of Being
Rick Rubin (2023)
Rubin’s book is not so much an examination of what constitutes creativity, but a meditation on the nature of creativity itself. Much like Rubin's own eclectic career in music, it’s a work that is not easily categorized and rather than offering a guide for how to “be creative,” Rubin looks to develop a heightened awareness in his readers and offers a way of understanding the world that opens the door to creative expression in any discipline.
The book's central argument is that creativity is not a rarified, specialized skill reserved for the gifted few, but actually a natural part of the human makeup. It is a mode of living that, while present in us all, needs to be cultivated and nurtured. Rubin emphasizes the importance of presence, intuition, and surrendering to the creative process. He argues that creation is not so much an act of will but more about opening the mind, heart, and soul as channels, allowing inspiration to flow through each.
"The Creative Act" invites readers to reflect and reconnect with their own creative potential. It's an invitation to a more mindful and inspired way of living, a reminder that creativity is not about achieving perfection, but about embracing the present and the joy of the creative journey. Rubin's work is a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about creativity in the modern age, which too often prioritizes speed over anything else. The book offers a refreshing and insightful perspective that will resonate with artists and non-artists alike.
The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity
David Graeber and David Wengrow (2021)
Another invigorating challenge to the conventional narrative of human social development, and particularly the notion of a rigid, inevitable march from primitive savagery to complex, advanced civilization. Graeber and Wengrow embark on a sweeping exploration of the vast diversity of social structures that have risen and fallen throughout human history.
One of the book’s core arguments is 'playful freedom,' the theory that early societies were far more experimental, creative, and adaptable than we imagine. They examine evidence of sophisticated societies that far pre-date our own, and how their egalitarian practices and conscious choices show that humans have consistently had agency in shaping their own destinies. They contend that the familiar tropes of environmental and agricultural determinism, the rise of the patriarchal state, and of rigid hierarchies are, in fact, historical contingencies, not inevitabilities.
The book argues against a singular 'state of nature,' exploring a wide range of social experiments from seasonal governance to complex community groups that reject centralized authority. It presses the importance of 'schismogenesis,' the dynamism of social forms that drive cultural evolution, and the power of 'refusal’ - the conscious (but constructive) rejection of accepted social paradigms. While critics of the book say the authors misrepresent some of the historical events they use as proof of their theories, ultimately 'The Dawn of Everything' offers an optimistic perspective, suggesting that the possibilities for human social organization are far richer and more varied than we know. And, that by revisiting our past, we can build a future with a renewed sense of possibility and excitement.
How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy
Jenny Odell (2019)
Odell offers more than a simple guide to unplugging; her book is a pointed critique of the forces that fragment our attention and turn our time into a sellable commodity. Odell doesn't just advocate for a digital detox; she calls for a radical reorientation of our relationship to the world, one that prioritizes presence, contemplation, and meaningful engagement with our surroundings.
Odell's argument centers on the insidious nature of the attention economy, a system that relentlessly draws on our cognitive resources for profit. She attacks the supposed virtue of productivity, arguing that it has become little more than a method of control that drives us toward a state of constant, anxious activity. In doing so, she posits that true resistance lies not in an outright rejection of technology, but in a deliberate cultivation of alternative forms of attention.
"How to Do Nothing" is a helpful book for anyone seeking to reclaim their attention, their time, and their sense of place in a world dominated by distraction. It's a call for a more mindful and deliberate way of living, one that prioritizes connection and contemplation of the inherent beauty of the world around us. Odell's work is a reminder that reward lies not in escaping from the world, but in engaging with it in a more meaningful and intentional way.
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Beyond the simple pleasures of reading, these works, each in their own way, go beyond mere observation or comment. They ask the reader to engage critically with the currents shaping the contours of our contemporary culture. They offer insight and often provocation, inviting us to reconsider our own agency within the context of our lives. These books converge on a central theme: culture as a dynamic force for change. They invite the reader to not merely observe, but to actively participate in shaping the cultural landscape.
If you missed them, you can read our other book recommendations here.