
The Gambling Animal
Humanity’s Evolutionary Winning Streak - and How We Risk It All
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
The Gambling Animal
Humanity’s Evolutionary Winning Streak - and How We Risk It All
About this book
'Masterful' GEORGE AINSLIE
'A fascinating tour of risk taking in the natural world' ADAM KUCHARSKI
'A sweeping and page-turning story' NICK CHATER
'A fascinating and challenging explanation of how the secrets to human success may be our downfall' PSYCHOLOGY TODAY
Evolution is a series of bets, and no animal gambles the way humans do. This has led us to unprecedented ecological dominance, via the steepest odds and unlikeliest of outcomes, but our winning streak cuts both ways: the secret to our success may yet be our downfall.
The Gambling Animal offers a revelatory retelling of the human story. Drawing on their unique research into the management of risk by humans and other animals - including our most impressive compatriots, elephants - Glenn Harrison and Don Ross reveal the hidden logic of our rise. But with an ecological crisis on the horizon, how long can our winning streak continue?
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Introduction – The Winning Animal (For Now)
- 1. Life Is Risky
- 2. How Natural Risk Management Can Lead to Addiction
- 3. Basic Hardware for Risk Management: Expensive Brains
- 4. A Risky Tool: The Evolution of Human Imagination
- 5. The Roots of Technological Risk Management
- 6. Social Risk Management: Markets and Morality
- 7. The Risk-Management Ratchet: Humans Take Over the Earth
- 8. Have We Gambled Away Our House?
- Coda – The Predicament of Elephants
- Appendices
- Notes
- Acknowledgements
- Index