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Survival of the friendliest : understanding our origins and rediscovering our common humanity / Hare, Brian

"For most of the approximately 200,000 years that our species has existed, we shared the planet with at least four other types of humans. They were smart, they were strong, and they were inventive. Neanderthals even had the capacity for spoken language. But, one by one, our hominid relatives went extinct. Why did we thrive? In delightfully conversational prose and based on years of his own original research, Brian Hare, professor in the department of evolutionary anthropology and the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience at Duke University, and his wife Vanessa Woods, a research scientist and award-winning journalist, offer a powerful, elegant new theory called "self-domestication" which suggests that we have succeeded not because we were the smartest or strongest but because we are the friendliest. This explanation flies in the face of conventional wisdom. Since Charles Darwin wrote about "evolutionary fitness," scientists have confused fitness with strength, tactical brilliance, and aggression. But what helped us innovate where other primates did not is our knack for coordinating with and listening to others. We can find common cause and identity with both neighbors and strangers if we see them as "one of us." This ability makes us geniuses at cooperation and innovation and is responsible for all the glories of culture and technology in human history. But this gift for friendliness comes at cost. If we perceive that someone is not "one of us," we are capable of unplugging them from our mental network. Where there would have been empathy and compassion, there is nothing, making us both the most tolerant and the most merciless species on the planet. To counteract the rise of tribalism in all aspects of modern life, Hare and Woods argue, we need to expand our empathy and friendliness to include people who aren't obviously like ourselves. Brian Hare's groundbreaking research was developed in close collaboration with Richard Wrangham and Michael Tomasello, giants in the field of cognitive evolution. Survival of the friendliest explains both our evolutionary success and our potential for cruelty in one stroke and sheds new light onto everything from genocide and structural inequality to art and innovation"--

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I don't want to grow up : life, liberty, and happiness without a career / Stillman, Scott
I do not want to grow up
"What do you want to be when you grow up?" We've been asked this question over and over, practically since the day we could walk. Many of us have absolutely no idea. We never have and we never will. This bothers us terribly, and on a profound level. We feel useless, disconnected, scattered, unfocused. If we could just make up our minds -- about something, about anything! What if you didn't have to grow up? Society would like us to believe that to be happy, we need successful careers. But let's face it -- we're not all meant to be doctors, lawyers, scientists, and accountants. Some are meant to be dreamers. The people on the fringes of society who don't necessarily subscribe to the modern version of the American Dream. Artists, adrenaline junkies, nomads, life seekers. Those who doubt conventional wisdom, question authority, and continually search for newer, better ways to live. The world needs freaks -- now more than ever. Never before has there been such an opportunity to live the life of your dreams. Never before have there been so many ways to earn an income. Never before have there been so many ways to have fun! What do you want to be ... when you don't grow up?

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Dream wise : unlocking the meaning of your dreams / Hollis, James

"Beyond the veil of sleep lies a world of mythic images, improbable encounters, and strange beauty. Dreams carry messages about our past, present, or future--but how can we develop the skill to decipher their deeper meaning? With Dream Wise, the hosts of the widely respected podcast This Jungian Life present an unprecedented resource, translating C. G. Jung's brilliant insights into a practical, self-guided method for excavating the hidden wisdom of your dreams"--

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Raising securely attached kids : using connection-focused parenting to create confidence, empathy, and resilience / Harwood, Eli

"Eli Harwood's signature humor and authenticity and makes the science of attachment practical and enjoyable to read with bite-size concepts, scripts, and analogies. Broken down by the main tenets of attachment-focused parenting, each chapter will have how-to nuggets and examples for each developmental stage, making this book perfect for every parent"--

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The suggestible brain : the science and magic of how we make up our minds / Raz, Amir

"Suggestions can make cheap wine taste like Ch́teau Margaux, warp our perception of time, and alter our memories--and in an age where disinformation has impacted our personal lives and our politics, the power of suggestion is worth even more attention. In The Suggestible Brain, world-renowned expert on the science of suggestion Amir Raz, PhD, brings together cognitive aspects of psychology, sociology, and anthropology with issues in our contemporary culture, media, alongside a series of case studies of patients with disorders ranging from Tourette's Syndrome to false pregnancies, lactose intolerance, and asthma to show exactly how suggestions can cut deep into our brains, shake our fundamental knowledge, and override our core human values. Merging Dr. Raz's experiences as a magician and hypnotist with decades' worth of his own neuropsychological research, The Suggestible Brain maps the twilight zone where magic and science coalesce, and shows how easily suggestible and manipulable we all are. Readers will walk away with actionable advice on how to harness the science of suggestion to propel change, protect against manipulative misinformation, and better regulate our internal, mental universe."

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Weathering : how the Earth's deep wisdom can help us endure life's storms / Allen, Ruth (Psychotherapist)

Rocks and mountains have withstood aeons of life on our planet -- gradually eroding, shifting, solidifying, and weathering. We might spend a little less time on earth, but humans are also weathering: evolving and changing as we're transformed by the shifting climates of our lives and experiences. So, what might these ancient natural forms have to teach us about resilience and change? In a stunning exploration of our own connection to these enduring forms, outdoor psychotherapist and geologist Ruth Allen takes us on a journey through deep time and ancient landscapes, showing how geology -- which has formed the bedrock of her own adult life and approach to therapy -- can offer us a new way of thinking about our own grief, change and boundaries. In a world shaken by physical, political, and medical disasters, Weathering argues for a deeper understanding of the ground beneath our feet to better serve ourselves and the world we live in.

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Habits for healing : reclaim your purpose, peace, and power / Homer, Nakeia

"In Habits for Healing, Nakeia Homer sheds light on simple, powerful acts that move us toward healing and help us to escape patterns of burnout, toxic relationships, and emotional exhaustion. Drawing on her work guiding others and her own experience of healing from a traumatic childhood, she helps readers find healing in their everyday rhythms. For example: A drive home from work can become an opportunity for self-care Keeping a daily to-do list is a surprising way to ease into acceptance The practice of becoming curious about others' motivations frees us from taking their words personally"--

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The life audit : a step-by-step guide to discovering your goals and building the life you want / Vengoechea, Ximena.

"For anyone looking to find fulfillment in every aspect of life -- love, friendship, career, finances, and beyond -- this encouraging handbook offers the tools to create a beautiful, meaningful future. In this step-by-step guide, you'll learn how to use design thinking and creative exercises to uncover your personal and professional passions, motivations, and goals and make confident decisions based on those revelations. Whether you're a recent graduate, contemplating a career change, facing a personal crossroads, or searching for satisfaction, The Life Audit is a safe space for dreaming big and a rousing call to design a life full of joy and purpose"--

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How to understand and deal with anxiety / Barrage, Rasha

Feeling overwhelmed? This little book is here to help. By the end of this friendly, accessible guide, you will: understand the science behind anxiety, how it manifests, what causes it, and how to identify symptoms and triggers; be equipped with practical steps to alleviate anxiety, from breathing exercises and healthy lifestyle choices to problem-solving techniques and coping mechanisms; have a host of holistic remedies up your sleeve for when anxiety strikes, such as mindfulness, visualization, and breath work; know about the medical treatments and therapies available, and know how and when to seek professional help or support.

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Productivity joy : feel energised and be effective in 5 minutes a day / Rayat, Simi

"What's holding you back from being your most productive self? Do you often feel like you're surviving, rather than thriving? If you're overwhelmed, unfulfilled or burnt out, you need to discover Productivity Joy. Whether you're a professional, an entrepreneur, a parent or a student, this step-by-step guide will show you how to embrace a life filled with purpose and passion. In Productivity Joy, psychologist and leadership coach Simi Rayat shares her proven, science-backed 5Q formula, supported by practical solutions and real-world examples, to help you boost your productivity. Inside, you'll learn how to assess your current emotions, to set goals based on your values and to prioritise in a way that honours your time. All it takes is just 5 minutes a day to create a joy-filled, productive life. To conquer every day, you need to harness your emotions and your focus. This game-changing book offers the key to unlocking your full productivity power, priming you to feel accomplished, energised and intentional each day"--Publisher's description.