Humankind by Rutger Bregman Summary
Overview of Humankind
Bregman boldly challenges our darkest assumptions: humans aren't selfish monsters but fundamentally kind. What if Lord of the Flies got it wrong? Endorsed by Harari, this international bestseller reveals how believing in human goodness could revolutionize schools, prisons, and society itself.
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Key takeaways
Everything You Think You Know About Human Nature Is Wrong
Stop for a moment and think about how you'd react if disaster struck your city tomorrow. Would your neighbors turn on each other? Would chaos reign? Most of us would answer yes-and we'd be completely wrong. This isn't just optimistic thinking. It's what actually happens, again and again, backed by decades of research. Rutger Bregman's revolutionary book challenges the cynical view of humanity that shapes our schools, prisons, workplaces, and governments. What if the real story of who we are-the one written in our evolutionary history and proven in countless crises-is that humans are fundamentally decent? This isn't naive hope. It's a perspective so well-documented that Barack Obama called it one of his favorite books and Bill Gates praised its hopeful realism. At a time when believing in human goodness feels almost reckless, Bregman shows us why cynicism might be the real delusion.
When Disaster Strikes, Humanity Reveals Its True Nature
The Science of Cooperation: Why Friendliness Made Us Human
The Paradox of Violence: Why War Doesn't Come Naturally
How Civilization Became a Trap We Couldn't Escape
What Happens When Organizations Trust People
The Revolution Hiding in Plain Sight
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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