"I'm always looking for books that challenge the status quo, and when I learned about Roland Ennos' new book The Powerful Primate: How Controlling Energy Enabled Us to Build Civilization, I couldn't wait to get my eyes on it, and I'm thrilled I did. In this landmark book, Ennos offers "a compelling argument that flips the traditional view of humanity on its head.""
"In my last book, The Science of Spin, I uncovered the ways in which we use rotational motion. I showed how we use compound sling actions to swing our arms when we hit or throw, and described how spinning machinery powers our modern world. In this book, I wanted to showcase these examples of our physical prowess and engineering skills and demonstrate how important they have been in enabling us to dominate our planet."
Humans harnessed energy from wood, animals, water, wind, sun, and fossil fuels to drive societal development and dominance. Physical power, biomechanical adaptations, and engineering ingenuity enabled feats like compound sling motions and spinning machinery that scaled human capability. These capacities and technologies transformed environments and powered complex civilizations while producing environmental and social costs. A combination of anthropology, biomechanics, and history explains how energy control shaped ambition and innovation. A deliberate change in mindset and priorities is necessary to reduce harms, improve wellbeing, and achieve a healthier balance between human activity and the natural world.
Read at Psychology Today
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