Bøger af Jacob Kilgore

The first man to set foot on Mars is famous, but now he regrets accepting the extended lifespan and memory enhancement he was awarded with upon his return. He can no longer forget, and so enjoy things again and again like we can. In his childhood he developed a love for nature, and later the stars, but as he stepped onto that red planet he encountered a profound disillusionment that only grew worse and worse. Food, music, movies... nothing manages to stimulate him anymore, though his body tortures him, causing his eyes to forever be drawn to women and dream of lust and love, though his animal obligation of reproduction was completed long ago. At an age in which he no longer feels the need to tend to his overgrown, white hair, the famous astronaut is invited to go to a place that has promise of new surprises. That place is the chaotic world called Venus. He is thrilled for the first time in a long time.

At the core of How to Be Human is the theory that our older evolutionary adaptations are sabotaging our higher aims. Every society throughout history has been warned about giving in to their animal nature, but thanks to recent insights we have the unique privilege of getting to the heart of this defect. This false efficiency has lured people to quit striving and focus on base animal activities: consuming, socializing, lounging, and so on. By pushing against these lures, Jacob Kilgore was able to ponder what we are, from our biology to our existential longings, and pen the numerous essays in this book. Finally, what we pass over in the urge to rush is presented in detail. This book will help us to see clearly what we are deep down, why we don't care enough, what beliefs and actions do not add up, where the balance lies in terms of forgiveness, and includes numerous other topics that will help anyone who seeks to refine themselves a clear system in which to do so.

This second installment to the How to Be Human series includes insights that will help you to refine yourself even further. In order to help you overcome false efficiency, Jacob Kilgore has provided alphabetically ordered essays with insights gained from pushing off our primordial impulses to do no more than remain simple and survive. A must read for any who aim to put into the world the beauty that humans are capable of.