Psychology In Seattle Podcast Progress Makes Us Miserable - Dr Christopher Ryan (2019 Rerun)
Sep 30, 2025
Dr. Christopher Ryan, an author and public intellectual known for his works on human nature and civilization, delves into thought-provoking questions about modern life. He critiques the belief that civilization enhances well-being, arguing that our hunter-gatherer past may offer better mental health. Ryan highlights how technology hasn't improved happiness and discusses the importance of community and social connections. He shares practical tips for reclaiming a fulfilling life, promoting minimalism and supportive local tribes as paths to greater freedom and joy.
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Civilization Narratives Are Political
- Christopher Ryan argues much of what we believe about pre-state life is political propaganda framed as science.
- He says modern authorities recycle thousand-year-old myths about civilization to justify power structures.
Hunter-Gatherer Checks On Selfishness
- Ryan critiques the 'selfish gene' and 'selfish infiltrator' models as ignoring hunter-gatherer social mechanisms.
- He highlights ridicule, counseling, exile, and group enforcement as effective checks on selfish individuals.
No Coercion In Immediate-Return Bands
- Immediate-return hunter-gatherers share resources and refuse authoritarian control because no one can monopolize essential resources.
- That structural freedom produces fierce egalitarianism and eliminates coercive power over others.
