#2211 - Michael Shellenberger

In 'A Woman Among Wolves,' Diane K. Boyd recounts her courageous and resilient journey as one of the first women biologists in the U.S. to study wild wolves. The book explores her adventures, from tracking wolves in Montana to navigating the complexities of wolf management globally. Boyd's story is a testament to her passion and determination in the face of challenges, highlighting the intricate balance between humans and wolves.

In 'Drug Use for Grown-Ups', Dr. Carl L. Hart presents a compelling argument that the criminalization of drugs, rather than the drugs themselves, is the primary cause of harm. He advocates for a more humane approach to drug policy, emphasizing the importance of personal freedom and responsible use. Drawing from his extensive research and personal experiences, Hart challenges societal norms and offers a fresh perspective on the role of drugs in adult life.

In 'Hidden War,' Lt. John Nores chronicles his time leading the California Special Operations Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET). The book details the development and effectiveness of the nation's first dedicated wildlife officer special operations units and the ongoing battle against thousands of Mexican drug cartel members who operate illegal marijuana grows on U.S. soil. Nores describes the environmental devastation, the use of banned poisons, and the extreme danger faced by game wardens in this hidden war. The book provides a firsthand account of the struggles and successes of these unsung heroes in protecting America’s wildlands from criminal activities.

In this book, Joseph Henrich explores how Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic (WEIRD) populations developed their unique psychological profiles. He argues that changes in family structures, marriage, and religion, particularly influenced by the Roman Catholic Church, led to the emergence of WEIRD psychology. This psychology is characterized by individualism, self-obsession, control-orientation, nonconformity, and analytical thinking, which contrast with the more group-focused and shame-driven cultures of non-Western societies. Henrich uses research from anthropology, psychology, economics, and evolutionary biology to explain how these psychological differences contributed to the industrial revolution and the global expansion of Europe.

In 'Blind Spots', Dr. Marty Makary explores the latest research on critical topics ranging from the microbiome to childbirth, nutrition, and longevity, revealing the biggest blind spots of modern medicine. The book tackles urgent yet unsung issues in the $4. 5 trillion health care ecosystem, highlighting how medical dogma and lack of evidence-based practices have led to significant public health crises, such as the opioid epidemic, peanut allergy epidemic, and mismanagement of hormone replacement therapy. Makary argues for a return to sound scientific studies and evidence-based medicine to improve health care outcomes.

Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.

In 'The Immortality Key', Brian Muraresku reconstructs the suppressed history of psychedelics in ancient Greek and early Christian rituals. Through a 12-year investigation, Muraresku connects the lost psychedelic sacrament of Greek religion to early Christianity, exposing the true origins of Western Civilization. He accesses hidden archives of the Louvre and the Vatican, and collaborates with archaeochemists to unveil the first scientific evidence of psychedelic drug use in classical antiquity. The book challenges traditional views of Christianity and Western history, suggesting that psychedelics were integral to the development of these cultures.