Re: [silk] Any Desmond Morris fans/critics here ?
A better metaphor would be a farm. We are livestock. Some of us caged in batteries, others free-range. But still, livestock. At least we've moved on from the idea -- at first blush actually quite reasonable -- that the same principles that are optimal for governing herds of stock are necessarily also the best for herds of people, and, nominally at least, the animals are now in charge of the farm. (under capitalism, man is a wolf to man. under socialism, it's exactly the opposite) The stables and cages are pretty well hidden, so we imagine ourselves free. This is good for productivity. No need to hide the stalls; they represent safety for the stock. So much so that a particular danger during barn fires is panicked stock attempting to reenter the building... -Dave
Re: [silk] Any Desmond Morris fans/critics here ?
At 2008-12-29 09:07:14 +0530, dhingra.may...@gmail.com wrote: I am contemplating buying his book Peoplewatching %20http://tr.im/2p8b on Body Language, has anyone here read it ? Yes. It's excellent. So are Animalwatching and Bodywatching. -- ams
Re: [silk] Any Desmond Morris fans/critics here ?
I like the observations he quotes and way he builds up the case on how they evolved from our basic animal/primate instincts.Things like super-status and stimulus struggle are quite true and relevant today and I felt a bit more self-aware. I don't agree with everything said in his books but for sure they are interesting and make you think(at least it made me) about things which generally you take for granted. I also, remember watching a bbc series titled The Human Sexes which he hosted a couple of years back and liked it. I haven't read Konrad Lorenz, will try to give it a read. I downloaded an audio book of snow crash but never to listen to it either. I am contemplating buying his book Peoplewatching %20http://tr.im/2p8b on Body Language, has anyone here read it ?
Re: [silk] Any Desmond Morris fans/critics here ?
On Tue, Dec 23, 2008 at 01:19:38PM +0530, Mayank Dhingra wrote: I am reading a book by Desmond Morris called The Human Zoo and am finding it pretty intriguing. The book talks about how our cities resemble a super crowded Human Zoo and A better metaphor would be a farm. We are livestock. Some of us caged in batteries, others free-range. But still, livestock. The stables and cages are pretty well hidden, so we imagine ourselves free. This is good for productivity. The other way to see it we're a superorganism, and total freedom is malignant growth. what does the status struggle and other aspects of a city life affect its inhabitants and a lot more. Was wondering if anyone here has read any of his works especially The Human Zoo and The Naked Ape and if yes how did they find it ?
Re: [silk] Any Desmond Morris fans/critics here ?
Mayank Dhingra wrote: I am reading a book by Desmond Morris called The Human Zoo and am finding it pretty intriguing. I read his books many years ago and I remember only a general impression. I quite enjoyed The Naked Ape (somewhat less The Human Zoo). I am *not* suggesting that Desmond Morris is superficial, but he hasn't the depth of a Konrad Lorenz - and of course there has been relevant progress in ethology, zoology and anthropology in later years. Desmond Morris isn't the greatest scientific authority on these subjects, but his books are pleasantly readable and interesting. (Probably the best narrative description of a human zoo I have ever read is Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash.) Cheers Giancarlo
[silk] Any Desmond Morris fans/critics here ?
Hi Guys, I am reading a book by Desmond Morris called The Human Zoo and am finding it pretty intriguing. The book talks about how our cities resemble a super crowded Human Zoo and what does the status struggle and other aspects of a city life affect its inhabitants and a lot more. Was wondering if anyone here has read any of his works especially The Human Zoo and The Naked Ape and if yes how did they find it ? Thanks, Mayank
