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Becoming Wild-How Animal Cultures Raise Families, Create Beauty, and Achieve Peace
384 pages, 2020
non-fiction
85 booksSome scientists believe that culture is a human phenomenon, but this book reveals the existence of cultures among other-than-human beings in some of Earth's remaining wild places. It shows how if you're a sperm whale or a scarlet macaw, you too come to understand yourself as an individual within a particular community that does things in specific ways, has traditions.
Alongside genes, culture is a second form of inheritance--one passed through generations as pools of learned knowledge. As situations change, social learning (called "culture" by scientists) allows behaviors to adjust much faster than genes can adapt.
In Becoming Wild, Safina uses intimate encounters with various nonhuman individuals in their free-living communities to offer a revelatory account of how animals function beyond our usual view. He shows that for nonhumans and humans alike, culture comprises the answers to the question, "How do we live here?"
It unites individuals within a group identity. But cultural groups often seek to avoid or even be hostile toward other factions. By showing that this is true across species, Safina illuminates why human cultural tensions remain maddeningly intractable despite the arbitrariness of many of our differences.
In 'Becoming Wild', Carl Safina takes us on a journey to explore the fascinating world of animal cultures. He shows us that animals, like humans, have their own unique cultures, traditions, and social structures. This book will make you see animals in a whole new light.
Safina's research in 'Becoming Wild' reveals the crucial role of family in animal cultures. Animals, much like humans, raise their families with love and care. They teach their young ones the ways of the world, passing on their knowledge and skills from generation to generation.
In 'Becoming Wild', you'll find that animals create beauty in their own unique ways. From the intricate nests of birds to the mesmerizing dances of whales, Safina shows us that animals have an innate sense of aesthetics and creativity.
Safina's book also explores how animals achieve peace within their communities. He shows us that animals have their own ways of resolving conflicts and maintaining harmony. This book will make you rethink your perceptions about the animal kingdom.
One of the most compelling aspects of 'Becoming Wild' is how it draws parallels between human and animal cultures. Safina's research shows us that we are not so different from our animal counterparts. This book will inspire you to look at the world around you with a deeper sense of empathy and understanding.