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Table of Contents

• Epigraph
• Introduction
• I. The Basics
  • 1. We are part of nature
  • 2. We are complex beasts
  • 3. We strive to balance competing concerns
  • 4. Each human life is a journey
  • 5. We seek unity
  • 6. We experience resource scarcity
  • 7. We live in cooperative groups
  • 8. We each manage four interrelated realms
  • 9. We favor individuation
  • 10. Specific trust is built between individuals
  • 11. We observe the world around us
  • 12. We communicate via sophisticated languages
  • 13. We make things for one another
  • 14. We require periods of leisure
  • 15. We can choose to help or hurt one another
• II. Narrative
  • 16. Past, Present and Future
  • 17. A Sense of Causality
  • 18. We fashion narratives
  • 19. The Hero's Journey
• III. Shared culture
  • 20. Culture provides a group's operating system
  • 21. We write things down
  • 22. We perform tests
  • 23. We retain what works
  • 24. We share narratives
• IV. The Restless Animal
  • 25. We have powerful imaginations
  • 26. We appreciate novelty
  • 27. We crave play, exploration and innovation
  • 28. We pursue growth and development
  • 29. We figure things out
  • 30. We invent new things
  • 31. We improve things
  • 32. We compete with one another
• V. Focused Attention
  • 33. Our attention is a limited resource
  • 34. Shallow attention alerts us to danger
  • 35. Deep attention satisfies and delivers
• VI. The Most Adaptive Species
  • 36. We are the most adaptive species
  • 37. Our species evolves via genetic evolution
  • 38. Groups adapt via cultural change
  • 39. Individuals adapt via autonomy
  • 40. Individuals can effect social change
  • 41. Beware the backlash
• VII. Shared Values
  • 42. Values form one element of a group's culture
  • 43. Values are also nested
  • 44. Values are not absolutes
  • 45. Autonomy provides freedom to balance values
• VIII. A Web of Interconnections
  • 46. Each group fulfills a purpose
  • 47. Groups define roles for their members
  • 48. Roles often provide for specialization
  • 49. Groups are often nested
  • 50. Groups use a variety of social structures
  • 51. Family is the foundational paradigm
  • 52. Friends and colleagues expand the circle
  • 53. Tribes organize even larger groups
  • 54. Written culture allow groups to expand
  • 55. Experts form peer groups
  • 56. Multicultural societies include diverse subgroups
  • 57. Groups pool their resources
  • 58. Large groups require governance
  • 59. We form preferences for particular structures
  • 60. We generally trust fellow group members
• IX. Mystery, Meaning and Identity
  • 61. Our human natures are mysterious
  • 62. We seek meaning
  • 63. We forge identities that provide meaning
• X. At Our Best...
  • 64. We juggle groups and structures
  • 65. We build and maintain civilizations
  • 66. We value authenticity
  • 67. We cultivate empathy
  • 68. We feel a sense of shared humanity
  • 69. We understand that we are fallible
  • 70. We do not demand perfection
  • 71. We recognize the need for balance
  • 72. We think and care big picture and long-term
  • 73. We practice and expect fair play
  • 74. We use critical thinking to tackle hard problems
  • 75. We make art to communicate with others
  • 76. We provide education
  • 77. We recognize religions as human constructs
  • 78. First and last, there is wonder
• XI. Missives
  • 1. Introduction to Site
  • 2. Over Seventy Important Things!
  • 3. The Value of Autonomy
  • 4. Balance and the Four Realms
• Back Matter
  • Apology for Use of Masculine Terminology
  • Structure and Navigation
  • Alignment with Humanist Thought
  • Cited Authors
  • Reference Models
  • Bibliography
  • Index of Topics
  • Random Thing to Know
  • Random Quote
  • Search
  • Rights and Licenses
  • Colophon
  • Feedback
  • Donations