Cannibals and kings
by Marvin Harris · first published 1977
3mentions
2recommended by
3HN commenters
2017–2019first – last mentioned
67% recommend33% neutral
¿Por qué tantas culturas han permitido el asesinato de las niñas recién nacidas? ¿Por qué los hombres se creen superiores a las mujeres? Marvin Harris responde a estas y muchas otras preguntas demostrando que caníbales y reyes, esclavos y ciudadanos, madres e hijas, padres e hijos -las culturas a que todos ellos pertenecen- han de asumir en cada caso sus pautas culturales dentro de un proceso global de adaptación de las sociedades a su entorno.
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If you enjoy this sort of thing, you might try Marvin Harris' book Cannibals and Kings. It's pretty old now - I read it in 1990 - but it's full of thought-provoking illustrations of how apparently bizarre superstitions and practices can actually be adaptive.
on “Magical Warfare Technologies and the Persistence of False Beliefs [pdf]” ↗…modern). If you're curious and want to read something enjoyable—he's a decent writer—check out "Cows, Pigs, Wars and Witches" (preferably one of the later editions), or for something a little denser: "Cannibals and Kings".
on “Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything?” ↗Cannibals and Kings - Marvin Harris Warriors and Worriers - Joyce Bennenson Sex at Dawn - Christopher Ryan and Cacilda Jethá