#529

Mentioned in 35 episodes

The Secret of Our Success

Book • 2018

In 'The Secret of Our Success', Joseph Henrich presents a provocative alternative to the standard narrative about human evolution.

He argues that the key to human success is not our individual intelligence, but our ability to form collective brains that store and transmit vast amounts of cultural knowledge.

Henrich draws on findings from anthropology, linguistics, behavioral economics, psychology, and evolutionary biology to demonstrate how culture and genes interact in a unique evolutionary process that drives human innovation and progress.

The book challenges traditional views of evolution and highlights the importance of social and cultural factors in shaping human behavior and achievements.

Mentioned by

Mentioned in 35 episodes

Mentioned by

Trenton Bricken

when discussing social norms.

2,884 snips

Is RL + LLMs enough for AGI? — Sholto Douglas & Trenton Bricken

Mentioned by

Dwarkesh Patel

when discussing Joseph Henrich's work on cultural evolution and its impact on human progress.

2,618 snips

AI 2027: month-by-month model of intelligence explosion — Scott Alexander & Daniel Kokotajlo

Mentioned by

Dwarkesh Patel

as one of his favorite books, read during college.

1,286 snips

Joseph Henrich — Humans defeated smarter species with cultural evolution

Mentioned by

Dwarkesh Patel

when discussing the evolution of human cooperation and knowledge sharing.

313 snips

The Past and Future of AI (with Dwarkesh Patel)

Mentioned by Scott Young, referencing his work on cultural learning and human evolution.

287 snips

How to Get Better at Anything

Mentioned by

William MacAskill

as books that impacted his thinking on human behavior and cultural evolution.

181 snips

#612: Will MacAskill of Effective Altruism Fame — The Value of Longtermism, Tools for Beating Stress and Overwhelm, AI Scenarios, High-Impact Books, and How to Save the World and Be an Agent of Change

Mentioned by

Michael Morris

as a book discussing the complexity of human culture and the Tucano people's cassava preparation traditions.

113 snips

298 - Tribal - Michael Morris

Mentioned by

Drew Cohen

when discussing a book about explorers encountering a native tribe and their method of preparing a poisonous tuber.

87 snips

Interview. Evolution's Todd Haushalter on Gaming, Moats, and Why It's So Hard to Catch Them.

Mentioned by

Jim O’Shaughnessy

during a discussion on cumulative cultural evolution.

72 snips

Nathan Baschez — On AI Writing, Thought Design & Solo Foundership (EP.265)

Mentioned by

Doug O'Loughlin

as one of his favorite books, although he acknowledges the name sounds pop science-y.

67 snips

TR38: H20, GPT-5, Ajinomoto Build-up Film

Mentioned by

Rafe Kelley

as an example of a book that delves into cultural evolution and the importance of cultural practices.

56 snips

Rafe Kelley - Movement, Mind, Meaning

Mentioned by

Joseph Henrich

as one of his books exploring cultural evolution and human success.

53 snips

Is psychology the same across cultures? (with Joseph Henrich)

Mentioned by

Peter Godfrey-Smith

as a book about culture and its role in human success.

47 snips

#203 – Peter Godfrey-Smith on interfering with wild nature, accepting death, and the origin of complex civilisation

Mentioned by Stephen Dubner as a book exploring how culture drives human evolution and shapes our psychology.

46 snips

The U.S. Is Just Different — So Let’s Stop Pretending We’re Not (Ep. 469 Replay)

Mentioned by

Drew Cohen

when discussing the importance of considering the entire system of a business model, not just individual components.

41 snips

Floor & Decor: Raising the Floor - [Business Breakdowns, EP. 87]

Recommended by

Matthew Syed

as a masterpiece on human behavior.

28 snips

E177 - Matthew Syed: How to think outside the box

Mentioned by

Jordan Schneider

as his favorite, despite the title sounding 'pop sci-y'.

28 snips

Transistor Radio: H20, GPT5, DUI Lawyers, Ajinomoto

Mentioned by Stephen Dubner as a book exploring how culture drives human evolution.

25 snips

469. The U.S. Is Just Different — So Let’s Stop Pretending We’re Not

Mentioned during a discussion about books encountered early in life that shaped their moral views.

21 snips

Rob Wiblin on how he ended up the way he is

Mentioned by

Scott Alexander

as one of the two 'S' intensive books that shaped his thoughts on anthropology.

20 snips

Book Review: Arguments About Aborigines

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