Mean Genes: From Sex To Money To Food: Taming Our Primal Instincts by Terry Burnham, Jay Phelan

Mean Genes: From Sex To Money To Food: Taming Our Primal Instincts by Terry Burnham is a groundbreaking exploration into the inner workings of the human brain and how it affects our behavior. Burnham, an economist with a PhD in biology, provides an eye-opening and thought-provoking look into how we can take control of our primordial instinctual drives and use them for our own benefit.

The core of Burnham’s argument is that humans are driven by an evolved set of behaviors which we make use of, either consciously or subconsciously, to achieve our desired outcomes and to survive, reproduce and thrive in a given environment. He explains that these primal drives serve a purpose, but that their potential for harm can be immense if we allow them to go unchecked. To combat this, Burnham offers effective strategies for reining in and channeling our primitive drives in positive ways that can help us maximize our capacity for success.

Burnham begins by exploring the biology of human behavior, discovering how and why we behave the way we do. He provides an in-depth look at how these basic impulses shape our decision making in a variety of contexts, from relationships and money, to food and sex. Along this journey, readers are treated to a fascinating exploration of the fields of evolutionary biology, economics, behavioral psychology and sociology.

In detailing these wide-ranging topics, Burnham leaves no stone unturned in exposing the intricacies of our evolutionary past and its influence on our present day lives. He explains the link between our “lizard brains”, as he refers to them, and our seemingly unpredictable behavior, providing readers with a greater understanding of what’s really motivating us.

This greater awareness of our primordial instincts and the ability to recognize and confront them is key to living a better, more productive life. At the same time, Burnham also presents a compelling case for why we must learn to manage these impulses because, when left unchecked, they can lead to destructive and costly behaviors.

Mean Genes: From Sex To Money To Food: Taming Our Primal Instincts ultimately provides readers with the tools to truly understand and work with their natural drives in order to rise above our lower nature and reach a higher level of functioning. This book is both enlightening and empowering, and it serves as an essential guide for successfully navigating the complexities of the human condition.