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Notes on “Civilized to Death” by Chris Ryan
Will civilization fall under its own weight?
Tl;dr: this account is a review and summary of Civilized to Death. It contains spoilers.
Civilized to Death came out in 2018 and was written by Chris Ryan, “Sex at Dawn” author. The book is one long complaint on how civilization has brought doom upon our heads and why the answers to a better and happier life are not to be found in the future — but in the past.
The author starts his diatribe by acknowledging that his life is comfy. He’s got a refreshing shower, a powerful MacBook, and a spacious house. He can find cure in a hospital and fly to any part of the world in 24 hours. TV has unlimited entertaining offers and the Internet provides freely for all types of knowledge.
Yet, he argues that this progress came at a heavy price. His thesis, that the title of the book illustrates, is simple. Civilization can only lead us to our end.
To demonstrate his beliefs, Ryan first starts by outlining the greatness of forager tribes. Nomadic groups made for ideal societal systems: equality between genders, no repressive justice system, a 25-hour workweek…overall all ingredients that led people to live a happy and active life. A much better life than now.
