The Human Zoo
by Desmond Morris · first published 1705
63% recommend38% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Zoologist Desmond Morris examines people as a regular animal, applying animal-behavior ideas to modern social life. It is fascinating and a good fit for readers new to the topic.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Morris looks closely at the human species under the stresses and pressures of urban living.This study concerns the city dweller. Morris finds remarkable similarities with captive zoo animals and looks closely at the aggressive, sexual and parental behaviour of the human species under the stresses and pressures of urban living.
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…writing. I'm also finding myself thinking a lot about social interactions, especially the dumb nonsense vast swathes of our populations carry out, and being currently in the middle of Desmond Morris "Human Zoo" (brilliant, slightly dated, but you'll love it if you're not familiar) your piece really struck a chord - particularly with "Bragging is personally imposing what-you-believe-to-be status-elevating thoughts…
on “The Best Article Ever Written About Bragging” ↗…taste. > I'm also finding myself thinking a lot about social interactions, especially the dumb nonsense vast swathes of our populations carry out, and being currently in the middle of Desmond Morris "Human Zoo" (brilliant, slightly dated, but you'll love it if you're not familiar) your piece really struck a chord - particularly with "Bragging is personally imposing what-you-believe-to-be status-elevating thoughts…
on “The Best Article Ever Written About Bragging” ↗This reminds me of 'Human Zoo' by the zoologist Desmond Morris, which is a fascinating read.
on “Why I Quit Being So Accommodating (1922)” ↗The Human Zoo - Desmond Morris ( https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/333063.The_Human_Zoo ) Morris uses his background as a zoologist to examine human beings as a regular animal; many books have come out of this approach.…
on “Ask HN: Books you wish you had read earlier?” ↗The Human Zoo, Desmond Morris
on “What's the most radical book you've read?” ↗Sounds about right to me. The book The Human Zoo by Desmond Morris discusses this phenomenon r.e. people need to feel the best at something so they pick ever smaller niches or hobbies where they can finally compete at a level where they have a chance…
on “Pricing niche products” ↗In the book The Human Zoo, Desmond Morris states that you see very little masturbation or other weird sex in wild animals, but you often see it in zoos and other captive/domesticated animals. He puts it down to dealing with being…
on “Do animals masturbate? ” ↗>good for soul I've always been intending to read "The Human Zoo": "How does city life change the way we act? What accounts for the increasing prevalence of violence and anxiety in our world? In this new edition of his controversial 1969 bestseller, The Human Zoo,…
on “Top Books on Amazon Based on Links in Hacker News Comments” ↗