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What's Our Problem?
- A Self-Help Book for Societies
- Narrated by: Tim Urban
- Length: 13 hrs and 58 mins
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Publisher's Summary
From the creator of the wildly popular blog Wait but Why, a fun and fascinating deep dive into what the hell is going on in our strange, unprecedented modern times.
Between 2013 and 2016, Tim Urban became one of the world’s most popular bloggers, writing dozens of viral long-form articles about everything from AI to colonizing Mars to procrastination. Then, he turned his attention to a new topic: the society around him. Why was everything such a mess? Why was everyone acting like such a baby? When did things get so tribal? Why do humans do this stuff?
This massive topic sent Tim tumbling down his deepest rabbit hole yet, through mountains of history, evolutionary psychology, political theory, neuroscience, and modern-day political movements, as he tried to figure out the answer to a simple question: What’s our problem?
Six years later, he emerged from the hole with this book. Narrated by the author, What’s Our Problem? is a deep and expansive analysis of our modern times, in the classic style of Wait but Why, packed with original concepts and sticky metaphors. The book provides an entirely new framework and language for thinking and talking about today’s complex world. Instead of focusing on the usual left-center-right horizontal political axis, which is all about what we think, the book introduces a vertical axis that explores how we think, as individuals and as groups. Listeners will find themselves on a delightful and fascinating journey that will ultimately change the way they see the world around them.
Anyway, he wanted to say a lot more about all of this, but there was a word limit on this book description, so just go listen to the book.
What listeners say about What's Our Problem?
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Anonymous User
- 23-02-2023
Love this guy!
An essential piece of work. Enjoyable, deep, funny and informative. Highly recommended for anyone who is confused about the modern world. Bravo!
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- Anonymous User
- 26-04-2024
Control alternate deletion
I found this book interesting and intriguing a real front runner for future classics that will stand the test of time as precognition of the state of our worlds affairs. Counter intuition is a real phenomenon that will catch anyone out that believes otherwise. I just hope that powerful cheats will be engineering there required system of outcomes with just enough ignorance to be caught with there pants down. Thankyou Tim urban for all your hard work looking between the lines.
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- Anonymous User
- 02-04-2023
A rational analysis of the US political climate.
This book left me with a new perspective on rational political thinking and the importance of defending liberal values against zealots on both sides of the political spectrum. It was refreshing to hear a balanced defence of free speech from an expert explainer. This led me to review my own political biases and rethink the way I view the left vs right dynamic.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 04-04-2023
Excellent food for thought
definitely created another dimension in my perception of the world that is. definitely worth the wait.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Brett H.
- 20-03-2023
Loved it!
Gave me a new lens to view the world, and to challenge myself to be a better human. I'm sure I'll be discussing ideas in this book with peers for a while to come!
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- Anonymous User
- 18-04-2023
Will be recommending this to everyone I know
One of the most thought-provoking, timely, and well constructed social analyses I've come across. Absolutely brilliant, and undeniably worth listening to. I was hooked from the first chapter.
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- Kay Cohen
- 09-05-2024
Good content
The author is saying what we are all thinking. Well researched and cited examples. I now understand how necessary it is to keep the perspective and not be intimidated by woke culture and SJF. An excellent read for older generations who are witnessing cultural change, but also excellent advice for younger readers finding there way in the world.
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- Anonymous User
- 08-01-2024
A challenging read
I found this book to be detailed, logical and challenging, and certainly has made me reflect on some of my own thinking processes and biases in a way that was uncomfortable, as all good growth is.
However, this book is in parts incredibly frustrating for falling into the very logical fallacies it rails against. At times the arguments become overtly generalised while arguing about the need for nuance, or decry echo chambers while sourcing evidence from anecdotes provided to openly partisan groups.
This book is well worth the investment of your time and money, but don’t let your guard down. The first target of the critical thinking tools the book provides should be the book itself.
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