The World Until Yesterday

What Can We Learn from Traditional Societies?

Jared Diamond

Recommended By

Book Synopsis

"The World Until Yesterday" by Jared Diamond is a thought-provoking exploration of traditional societies and their relevance to our modern world. Drawing upon his extensive fieldwork in remote areas, Diamond examines how traditional societies have adapted to challenges such as child-rearing, conflict resolution, healthcare, and dealing with aging populations. Through captivating anecdotes and rigorous analysis, Diamond shows how we can learn valuable lessons from these societies to improve our own lives.

In this enlightening book, Diamond highlights the importance of cultural diversity and the unique knowledge that traditional societies possess. He delves into the practices of hunter-gatherer communities, showcasing their efficient decision-making processes and resilient social structures. Diamond also examines the ways in which these societies handle disputes and conflicts, offering valuable insights for conflict resolution in today's world.

"The World Until Yesterday" explores the ways in which traditional societies emphasize community support and cooperation. Diamond demonstrates the advantages of communal child-rearing, demonstrating the benefits that extended families and close-knit communities provide for children's well-being and development. Additionally, he examines the elderly's roles within these societies, showcasing how they are valued for their wisdom and actively included in community life.

Diamond also delves into the health practices of traditional societies, discussing their holistic approaches to medicine and analyzing the reasons for their relatively low rates of chronic diseases. From diet and exercise to stress reduction techniques, the author presents ideas that challenge conventional wisdom in the field of healthcare.

Throughout this captivating read, Diamond draws parallels between traditional societies and our own, questioning the adequacy of our modern systems and encouraging us to reevaluate our lifestyles. By looking at the vast array of human experiences, "The World Until Yesterday" compels us to challenge our assumptions and embrace the wisdom of traditional societies to shape a more resilient and harmonious future.

Explore More Books

See All
The Intel Trinity
Radical Chic and Mau-Mauing the Flak Catchers
Einstein
Shadow Divers
Wing Leader
The Fourth Revolution
Technopoly
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Drunk Tank Pink
If At Birth You Don't Succeed
Endurance
The World Until Yesterday
Negotiating The Impossible
The New Penguin Atlas of Ancient History
Sleep in Art
Relentless
Bargaining for Advantage
The Path To Power
Medieval Technology and Social Change
Peak
Payoff
Richard Feynman
A Bite-Sized History of France
Life Ascending
Metamagical Themas
Childhood and Society
Let Your Life Speak
Q.E.D.
Confidence Game
The $12 Million Stuffed Shark
The Master Algorithm
A Gentleman in Moscow
The History of the Future
Writing My Wrongs
The Net & The Butterfly
Devil's Bargain
Netflixed
Turtles All The Way Down
Means Of Ascent
Guns, Sails, and Empires
The Paper Menagerie And Other Stories
The Immateriality of the Material
The Grid
Margaret Thatcher: Herself Alone
The Complete Sherlock Holmes
Mind-Body Problem
The Count of Monte Cristo
Absolute Tao
The Lifecycle of Software Objects
Catherine the Great
The Magic of Thinking Big
Co-Intelligence
Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll
Spiritually Incorrect Enlightenment
Quality Investing
Karl Marx's Theory of History
The Secret Life of Salvador Dalí
Crucial Conversations
Frisco Kid
Michael Jordan
A Very Expensive Poison
Dark Towers
Read Write Own
The Great War of Our Time
Virtual Society
Positioning
We Were Soldiers Once... And Young
The Battle of Alcazar
The Ancient City
Lasker's Manual of Chess
The Talent Code
Oranges
In Other Words
Rich Woman
The Gift of Adversity
Energy Myths and Realities
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Americana
American Crusade
The Fiat Standard
A Brief History of Time
Getting to Maybe
The New Atlantis
The Inflamed Mind
Triggered
The Hobbit
How Google Works
AOL.com
The Art of Seduction
Innovating Out of Crisis
Human Action
She Said
Shattered
Seveneves
The Iliad
The Charisma Myth
The Way of Kings
Seeking Wisdom
The Beginning Of Infinity
Taken for Granted