The Dragons of Eden
Speculations on the Evolution of Human Intelligence
by Carl Sagan · first published 1977
58% recommend39% neutral3% critical
Why HN recommends it
Engaging, story-driven look at the evolution of human intelligence and brain structure, including the triune brain idea. Suits curious general readers who want a sense of wonder and an entry point to brain evolution.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Presents an overview of human evolution and discusses human and animal intelligence, the mechanisms of the brain, memory, sleep, myths and legends about evolution, and the possibility of intelligent extraterrestrial life.
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2021–2024Seven and a Half Lessons about the Brain
Lisa Feldman Barrett
Recommended by 3 · mentioned by 33 recommend · 3 mention3 recommend · 33 recommend
2011–2020The Book of Mirdad
Mīkhāʼīl Nuʻaymah
Recommended by 3 · mentioned by 33 recommend · 3 mention3 recommend · 33 recommend
2009–2022The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur
Mike Michalowicz
Recommended by 5 · mentioned by 55 recommend · 5 mention5 recommend · 55 recommend
2009–2026Broca's Brain
Carl Sagan
Recommended by 3 · mentioned by 123 recommend · 12 mention3 recommend · 123 recommend
2011–2024Farnham's Freehold
Robert A. Heinlein
Recommended by 3 · mentioned by 103 recommend · 10 mention3 recommend · 103 recommend
2007–2024Bridge of Birds
Barry Hughart
Recommended by 6 · mentioned by 76 recommend · 7 mention6 recommend · 76 recommend
2008–2025Leave it to Psmith
P. G. Wodehouse
Recommended by 9 · mentioned by 119 recommend · 11 mention9 recommend · 119 recommend
2011–2025Sacred Economics
Charles Eisenstein
Recommended by 4 · mentioned by 74 recommend · 7 mention4 recommend · 74 recommend
…theme of the article, should humans take animal intelligence more seriously is a valid claim. Intelligence is rampant in the animal kingdom and it deserves an examination. A great book on the subject is, "Dragons of Eden" by Carl Sagan, although he focuses on human development. Douglas Adams (loosely paraphrased): Humans believed themselves to be the most intelligent species on Earth because they developed machines of…
on “Is a Dolphin a Person?” ↗Siddhartha -- Hermann Hesse Dragons Of Eden -- Carl Sagan
on “Ask HN: Please name two of your most favorite books.” ↗Just finished reading Carl Sagan's Dragons of Eden, a fascinating tale of evolution and intelligence. Now I'm trying to tackle Infinite Jest on my iPad. I've never been much of a reader but I'm trying my damndest to break that non-habit. I have no idea…
on “Ask HN: What are you reading right now?” ↗I read "The Dragons of Eden" by Dr Sagan in my early teens. Frankly, that + further studies into logic, consciousness & human nature has led to my feeling like a Martian living in the US.
on “The Defeat of Reason” ↗1. Candide 2. The last few chapters of GEB 3. Regardless of whether you're a programmer, anything by Carl Sagan. The Demon-Haunted World and Dragons of Eden are my favorites.
on “Ask HN: Summer readings?” ↗…but it should be his decision wether to read them or not. You could recommend him some divulgation books like "A brief history of Time" by Stephen Hawking, "Parallel Universes" by Michio Kaku, or "The Dragons of Eden" by Carl Sagan, they're all quite enjoyable.
on “Ask HN: Great books for teenager age 15” ↗Dragons of Eden: Speculations on the Evolution of Human Intelligence (1986) from Carl Sagan.
on “Ask HN: Best book you read in 2011” ↗…expect somebody else to do something, or they even join in the violence. The violent group behavior from our early days as a species are, unfortunately, with us still. Another recommended book: The Dragons of Eden (Speculations on the Evolution of Human Intelligence) by Carl Sagan.
on “How the Internet Has Changed Bullying” ↗Sagan's "The dragons of Eden" is almost entirely on the topic of primal snake fear, and the resultant hypothetical origins of dragon myths - it's a neat read.
on “Why Do DMT Users See Insects from a Parallel Universe?” ↗1. Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand 2. Dragons of Eden - Carl Sagan 3. Idea Factory - Jon Gertner 4. Why I am an atheist - Bhagat Singh
on “Ask HN: Best books you read in 2017?” ↗Haven’t read the parent post yet, but in his book from the 1970s (outdated in numerous ways by now but still very interesting) “Dragons of Eden”, Carl Sagan presents the argument that it was our ability to use tools. Essentially, tools shaped us as much as we shaped them, and as our tools became more advanced, so did our minds.
on “If Sapiens were a blog post” ↗…interactivity we just seem to be catching up. (As an aside, I never realized the Nintendo PowerGlove was basically Data Glove 'lite'; developed by VPL.) Edit: Third, I recently read Carl Sagan's "The Dragons of Eden" which he wrote in the 1970s. It's about the evolution of the human mind. It's SO worth reading today, even if its outdated and proven wrong at times by contemporary discoveries. One thing that really…
on “A brief rant on the future of interaction design (2011)” ↗Dragons of Eden by Carl Sagan. It just is amazing in so many ways but it is hard to describe.
on “Ask HN: Which books have you read more than once?” ↗1. Gödel,Escher and Bach: It made me love programming and recursion. 2.Dragons of Eden by Carl Sagan: Made me love biology 3.Brief History of Time: Increased interest and self confidence in Science. 4. Phantoms in the Brain : How complex problems can be solved by out of the box thinking.
on “Ask HN: What book(s) changed your life?” ↗The easiest way to perceive the superficiality of Sapiens is to read: Dragons of Eden by Carl Sagan, immediately after the former. Then you have the master to judge the (accidental) student.
on “Ask HN: Any interesting books you have read lately?” ↗