Wood From Eden

Wood From Eden explores the intersections of evolutionary psychology, societal norms, and human behavior. It delves into topics like fertility rates, patriarchal structures, the philosophy of happiness, and the impact of modern technologies and economies on human societies. The substack also touches on current events, historical analyses, and personal improvement through evolutionary psychology.

Evolutionary Psychology Societal Norms Human Behavior Fertility Rates Patriarchal Structures Philosophy of Happiness Impact of Modern Technologies Economic Influences on Society Historical Analysis Personal Improvement

The hottest Substack posts of Wood From Eden

And their main takeaways

News from the eastern (information) front

48 implied HN points • 15 Apr 22
  1. The blog 'The Saker' offers unique political and military analysis from a Russian perspective.
  2. Andrei's predictions about the invasion of Ukraine were surprisingly accurate.
  3. There is a significant polarization in the media portrayal of the Ukraine conflict, leading to differing perspectives and beliefs.

Every time someone says “Please think of the children”, fertility sinks by a millimeter

5 HN points • 26 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Society Parenting Economics Beliefs Social Issues
  1. Fertility declines when people emphasize 'Please think of the children', impacting how many children are born.
  2. The focus on raising children is splitting into two camps: Economy, redirecting money to parents, and Culture, where having children is seen as part of a meaningful life.
  3. Increasing the financial support for parents may not be effective in addressing declining birth rates - cultural beliefs and societal costs may be more impactful.

Both sexes have to be oppressed

3 HN points • 08 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Gender Dynamics Psychology Social relationships Science Evolutionary Psychology
  1. The book _Warriors and Worriers_ by Joyce Benenson presents the evolutionary psychology of men and women, highlighting how males and females differ in social interactions based on prosocial and antisocial behaviors.
  2. Females compete covertly for resources, leading to social exclusion and the need to show vulnerabilities to build alliances with unrelated women.
  3. Gender equality means equal opportunities for individuals to surpass their natural tendencies and work towards societal advancement.
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The Congo wars revisited

2 HN points • 15 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Africa Conflict Battles Colonialism
  1. The Congo Wars were not traditional wars with clear opponents and objectives, but rather a chaotic conflict with multiple confusing factors.
  2. The geography of the Congo, historical divisions, and outside influences like colonial powers all played a role in shaping the complexity of the conflict.
  3. Resource exploitation, internal divisions, and international interventions were key factors that fueled and prolonged the Congo Wars.

After Woke

2 HN points • 13 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Nationalism Immigration Pandemic response Public Discourse Authoritarianism
  1. Woke culture in Sweden was influenced by different factors than in America, such as its approach to LGBTQ issues and racial segregation.
  2. The rise of Woke culture in Sweden coincided with changes in immigration policy, leading to societal issues like segregation and increased crime.
  3. The aftermath of Woke culture in Sweden highlights a shift towards authoritarianism, with the elite controlling the narrative and targeting new adversaries.

The price of a woman

2 HN points • 28 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Society Gender History Economics Evolution
  1. Economic theory states prices are determined by supply and demand, even in the marriage market.
  2. Population density influences marriage customs, with hoe agriculture societies tending towards brideprice and plow agriculture societies towards dowry.
  3. Cultural evolution has shifted from female dowries to both sexes investing in human capital for maximal reproductive success.

Why do humans ever develop?

2 HN points • 19 Jan 23
  1. Animals typically don't develop but humans do through inventing more efficient ways to make food.
  2. Human development is driven by population growth, which creates pressure for evolution.
  3. Development in human societies occurs when violence fails to control population growth, leading to cooperation and societal change.

Wood From Eden

0 implied HN points • 12 Apr 22
  1. Wood is a versatile and durable material that can be made into almost anything
  2. Knowledge, like wood, can be transformed into useful insights and analysis
  3. Being open to new knowledge and interpretations can lead to growth and new insights

The improbable life of Jeanne Calment

0 implied HN points • 17 May 22
  1. Jeanne Calment's extraordinary longevity of 122 years is highly improbable based on statistical analysis, leading to doubts about the authenticity of her age.
  2. Research suggests a controversial theory that Jeanne Calment might have been impersonated by her daughter Yvonne to avoid inheritance tax, raising questions about Calment's true identity.
  3. The case of Jeanne Calment highlights the complexities of verifying historical records and emphasizes the importance of scrutinizing long-standing beliefs and records for accuracy.

Please computer, help me writing!

0 implied HN points • 12 Jul 22
  1. The author believes AI can significantly improve writing by suggesting text sequences that align with the human writer's ideas.
  2. Writing is about merging new ideas with familiar concepts, and good writing provides readers with new insights within a framework they already know.
  3. Anecdotes play a crucial role in writing, and the author wonders if AI could assist in providing relevant anecdotes to enhance narratives.