Book 130 - A Year of Magical Learning (Top 5 - Five Part Reflection 2/5)

Reflection Title – Homo Puppy! Turns Out Nice Guys Do Actually Finish First!

Book – Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman (2/5)

Book Description: If there is one belief that has united the left and the right, psychologists and philosophers, ancient thinkers and modern ones, it is the tacit assumption that humans are bad. It's a notion that drives newspaper headlines and guides the laws that shape our lives. From Machiavelli to Hobbes, Freud to Pinker, the roots of this belief have sunk deep into Western thought. Human beings, we're taught, are by nature selfish and governed primarily by self-interest. But what if it isn't true? International bestseller Rutger Bregman provides new perspective on the past 200,000 years of human history, setting out to prove that we are hardwired for kindness, geared toward cooperation rather than competition, and more inclined to trust rather than distrust one another. In fact this instinct has a firm evolutionary basis going back to the beginning of Homo sapiens. 

Reflection:

The Author, Rutger Bregman, introduced a new term in this book that I had never heard before in "Homo Puppy" that is stuck in my head forever and I can't get it out. I can't help but crack a smile every single time I hear it. I will never forget it!

What is "Homo Puppy"? Human beings, Mr. Bregman argues, are “Homo Puppies”. They have grown friendlier and more “domesticated” over time since that guarantees survival. An evil nature, on the other hand, does not.

Dogs are called man's best friend for a reason it turns out. They've tricked us with their unending love and companionship to ensure their survival and longevity or their species. What a brilliant move on their part!

I mean, come on...Who doesn't love a dog? They are loyal, loving, always eager to see you, depend on you, comfort you when you are sad, etc. I for one am a sucker for dogs. I can't walk by a dog and not start making some stupid baby noise gibberish and trying to pet them. It is really sad and it happens every single time. You could line make a line up of 9 of the cutest babies in the world and 1 puppy (of any breed), and I will make a beeline for the puppy 100 times out of 100. If a stray dog is in need of food or shelter, we organize massive search parties and set up specific charities to ensure they never have to spend a night in the cold with no food. We make videos with sad Sarah McLaughlin songs on them while watching homeless dogs needing help that we all can't stop crying and want to donate at the end of it.

We are suckers for dogs. There is just something about their innocence and selflessness that attracts me that I'll never understand. Whatever that weird desire to help them turns out to be the author's brilliant theory on the evolution of humanity as well. We are clearly drawn to niceness, caring, compassion, support, love, etc. The theory is, the nicer we are, the more we will draw support and cooperation from other humans. It is so counterintuitive, and brilliant at the same time.

It is clearly to the dog's evolutionary advantage to be nice to man and lean on the support of humans to help give its species and genes the best chance to survive and thrive. The same goes for Homo Puppy. It is in our best interest to be kind and help one another if we are all going to survive and thrive.

We all are taught that nice guys finish last. It is a dog eat dog world out there. It is survival of the fittest. Well, it turns out that it really might just be survival of the nicest! It is a great reminder for me next time I want to obliterate a competitor on a tennis court, in a negotiation in a board room, etc. It may be advantageous and feel good in the short term; however, in the long run, nice guys and girls will always come out on top.

Question: What do you think, do nice guys finish first or last?

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Links:

What is The Year of Magical Learning? An Introduction

YOML Podcast Discussion - Coming Soon

YOML Bookstore - Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman