Mean Genes: From Sex to Money to Food: Taming Our Primal Instincts

Mean Genes: From Sex to Money to Food: Taming Our Primal Instincts | Terry Burnham, Jay Phelan | A Food For Thought

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Mean Genes: From S...

	Mean Genes: From Sex to Money to Food: Taming Our Primal Instincts Terry Burnham, Jay Phelan Penguin (Non-Classics), 2001 - 272 pages average customer review:based on 112 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

"The Mean Genes message is optimistic . . . a self-help book for the merely average human being." (The Washington Post Book World)

"An unusual cross between a social Darwinist monograph and a self-help manual." (The New Yorker)

Why do we want-and do-so many things that are bad for us? In Mean Genes Terry Burnham and Jay Phelan argue that we need to stop looking to Sigmund Freud for answers and start looking to Charles Darwin. Mean Genes reveals that our struggles for self-improvement are, in fact, battles against our own genes-genes that helped our distant ancestors flourish, but are selfish and out of place in the modern world. Using this evolutionary lens, Mean Genes brilliantly examines the issues that most affect our lives-body image, money, addiction, violence, and relationships, friendship, love, and fidelity-and offers steps to help us lead more satisfying lives.

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hmmmm

It's arguably one of the best books about human behavior i have ever seen, although some of the data are not very reliable. Many shinning points about human especially the part talking about friends and foes. It can not be read as a academic reading but more like a philosophic one.

A Food For Thought

This short book is very readable and at the same time, very informative. A lot of information from this book gives one a food for thought, especially the struggles for self-control.

Very insightful read and I would recommend it.

It's Not What You Think, It's How You Act That Counts.

This is an evolutionary aspect of why we do the things we do and feel the positive side of the inherited genes. Our genes control our behavior at all times and in all situations.

This study of human behavior gives pointers in some issues we all have to deal with: the endless search for love and friendship, body image (it's not how you see yourself but how others see you), why we choose the partners we do to seek satisfying and happy lives. Instinct and gut reaction play a big part in this 'eternal quest' through 'elusive goals' toward happiness but always end up furthering the interest of our 'inherited genes.' Just as addictions such as eating too much, alcohol and cigarettes, casual sex, and other self-destructive 'pleasures' are inherited in our genes, as are fatal illnesses. We put our trusts and welfare in the hands (and moods) of a person we don't really know. It's amazing how many young people cut the strings connecting their heritage to wander from town to town, adopting false names. Sooner or latre, they become sated with this vagabond way of life. It's okay in the movies but not so good in real life. Lies rebound eventually.

These mean genes of ours can be turned into good genes we pass down to the next generation. Strays reach out to other strays to boost their inner worth, not considering the bad genes rampant in such behavior. Here you can pick up anyone with a fancy tounge and flattery. I joined in a conversation about how much I dislike the place )after a visitor said it is beautiful here), was told that I don't sound Southern. Amazing -- maybe I could live somewhere else even with my mean genes. "Surely there must be some limit. As we get richer and richer as a society, won't we reach a point of bliss?" Is there a silver lining and that pain goes away eventually and hurts less than we expect? Keep your personal goals alive but in perspective.

We should steer away from impetuous decisions. Be friends with happy people. Too much is never enough. Strive to become iniable to someone special. Beauty is as much in the mean gene of the beholder as the eye. Symmetry is a neat universal aphrodisiac. People choose a mate with a perfectly symmetrical face. The lucky ones have a body to match the face. Beauty is not skin deep. This is in the book. If you look deep into your choice's eyes, which reflect a person's soul, you can see and feel instincts which may prove you wrong later on. But taking a chance on love is better that no love at all. Life expectancy is longer in happy and well-satisfied couples. They chose well. Genes, after all, are the stuff of life. See the movie, "Married Life" and learn from example.

Jay has a PhD from Harvard after researching evolutionay genitics and aging. Terry stuck with Harvard where he earned his PhD and served with distinction as a U.S. Marine. Two intellectuals with a sense of humor. Why did I choose this book? Could be their conclution about survival, the purpose of life. I too have three PhDs in my family. Now ponder on that and see who is the Boop. Throughout this book, you'll find tales of both Terry and Jay, as many of my reviews reveal personal information of my existence in my old hometown. Like Hitchcock in the movies he directed, you have to look for them. Nothing is handed to those who only criticize on a silver platter. It is the mean genes coming to the fore when folks set out to hurt another person in any way.

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Good book

The book is easy to read, and aims to explain human behavior based on our psychological aspects and our genes. It's a good book, a book I will keep on my book shelf. However, it's nothing extraordinary, it will not change your life perspective by 180 degrees :).

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

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