
The Ascent of Humanity
Civilization and the Human Sense of Self
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Narrated by:
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Steve Wojtas
About this listen
Charles Eisenstein explores the history and potential future of civilization, tracing the converging crises of our age to the illusion of the separate self. He argues that our disconnection from one another and the natural world has mislaid the foundations of science, religion, money, technology, economics, medicine, and education as we know them. It has fired our near-pathological pursuit of technological Utopias even as we push ourselves and our planet to the brink of collapse.
Fortunately, an Age of Reunion is emerging out of the birth pangs of an earth in crisis. Our journey of separation hasn't been a terrible mistake but an evolutionary process and an adventure in self-discovery. Even in our darkest hour, Eisenstein sees the possibility of a more beautiful world - not through the extension of millennia-old methods of management and control but by fundamentally reimagining ourselves and our systems. We must shift away from our Babelian efforts to build ever-higher towers to heaven and, instead, turn our attention to creating a new kind of civilization - one designed for beauty rather than height. Breathtaking in its scope and intelligence, The Ascent of Humanity is a landmark book showing what it truly means to be human.
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- Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
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What would the world look like if everybody had everything they wanted or needed? Trekonomics, the premier book in financial journalist Felix Salmon's imprint PiperText, approaches scarcity economics by coming at it backward - through thinking about a universe where scarcity does not exist. Delving deep into the details and intricacies of 24th-century society, Trekonomics explores post-scarcity and whether we, as humans, are equipped for it.
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An Amusing & Practical Analysis of Fictional Ideas
- By Lost In The Wash on 09-19-16
By: Manu Saadia
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Deep Truth
- Igniting the Memory of Our Origin, History, Destiny, and Fate
- By: Gregg Braden
- Narrated by: Gregg Braden
- Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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A new world is emerging before our eyes, while the unsustainable world of the past struggles to continue. Both worlds reflect the beliefs of our past. Both exist - but only for now. Which world do you choose? Best-selling author and visionary scientist Gregg Braden suggests that the hottest issues that divide us as families, nations, and civilizations-seemingly separate concerns such as war, terror, abortion, suicide, genocide, the death penalty, poverty, economic collapse, and nuclear war - are actually related.
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Good Information
- By David on 08-13-12
By: Gregg Braden
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The Blank Slate
- The Modern Denial of Human Nature
- By: Steven Pinker
- Narrated by: Victor Bevine
- Length: 22 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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In The Blank Slate, Steven Pinker, one of the world's leading experts on language and the mind, explores the idea of human nature and its moral, emotional, and political colorings. With characteristic wit, lucidity, and insight, Pinker argues that the dogma that the mind has no innate traits, denies our common humanity and our individual preferences, replaces objective analyses of social problems with feel-good slogans, and distorts our understanding of politics, violence, parenting, and the arts.
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Don't bother. Outdated science & poor logic...
- By ejf211 on 03-31-10
By: Steven Pinker
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Future Shock
- By: Alvin Toffler
- Narrated by: Peter Berkrot
- Length: 16 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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Future Shock is about the present. Future Shock is about what is happening today to people and groups who are overwhelmed by change. Change affects our products, communities, organizations - even our patterns of friendship and love. Future Shock vividly describes the emerging global civilization: tomorrow's family life, the rise of new businesses, subcultures, lifestyles, and human relationships - all of them temporary. It illuminates the world of tomorrow by exploding countless cliches about today.
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So Accurate
- By Peter Gracia on 03-31-19
By: Alvin Toffler
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The Yugas
- Keys to Understanding Our Hidden Past, Emerging Energy Age and Enlightened Future
- By: Joseph Selbie, David Steinmetz, Swami Kriyananda - foreword
- Narrated by: Paul Brion
- Length: 12 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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Today's view of history cannot account for ancient anomalies, such as the Pyramids and advanced knowledge contained in India's Vedas. But in 1894, an Indian sage gave us an explanation not only for our hidden past but for the trends of today and for our future enlightenment - the 24,000-year yuga cycle.
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Excellent book but one slight problem
- By Z on 02-19-19
By: Joseph Selbie, and others
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The Religion of Tomorrow
- A Vision for the Future of the Great Traditions - More Inclusive, More Comprehensive, More Complete
- By: Ken Wilber
- Narrated by: Graeme Malcolm
- Length: 30 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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A single purpose lies at the heart of all the great religious traditions: awakening to the astonishing reality of the true nature of ourselves and the universe. At the same time, through centuries of cultural accretion and focus on myth and ritual as ends in themselves, this core insight has become obscured. Here Ken Wilber provides a path for reenvisioning a religion of the future that acknowledges the evolution of humanity in every realm while remaining faithful to that original spiritual vision.
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A mind-blowing spiritual experience
- By IW Ferreira on 09-01-17
By: Ken Wilber
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Power vs. Force
- The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior
- By: Dr. David R. Hawkins
- Narrated by: Dr. David R. Hawkins
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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The publication of Power vs. Force by Sir David R. Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D., reveals to the general public secret information heretofore only shared by the author with certain Nobelists and world leaders. Analyzing the basic nature of human thought and consciousness itself, the author makes available to everyone the key to penetrating the last barrier to the advancement of civilization and science and resolving the most crucial of all human dilemmas.
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Good book – poor narrator
- By Greg on 06-28-07
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What the Bleep Do We Know
- Discovering the Endless Possibilities for Altering Your Everyday Reality
- By: William Arntz, Betsy Chase, Mark Vicente
- Narrated by: Suzanne Toren
- Length: 11 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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With the help of 14 leading physicists, scientists, and spiritual thinkers, this book guides listeners on a course from the scientific to the spiritual, and from the universal to the personal. Along the way, it asks such questions as: Are we seeing the world as it really is What is the relationship between our thoughts and our world? How can I create my day every day? What the Bleep answers this question and others through an innovative new approach to self-help and spirituality.
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Attacking straw men
- By Henrik on 08-06-11
By: William Arntz, and others
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How to Save the West
- Ancient Wisdom for 5 Modern Crises
- By: Spencer Klavan
- Narrated by: Spencer Klavan
- Length: 6 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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It has been proclaimed many times, but perhaps never more convincingly than now, when every news cycle seems to deliver further confirmation of a world gone mad. Is this the endgame? Author Spencer Klavan is a classicist, with a Ph.D. from Oxford, and a deep understanding of the West. His analysis: The situation is dire. But every crisis we face today, we have faced before. And we can surmount each one. Klavan brings to the West’s defense the insights of Plato, Aristotle, the Bible, and the Founding Fathers to show that in the wisdom of the past lies hope for the future.
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Spectacular! A must read!
- By M.A. on 02-15-23
By: Spencer Klavan
What listeners say about The Ascent of Humanity
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- melanie
- 06-01-21
Phenomenal
Everyone should read/listen to this book. Life changing to hear such an intelligent and well thought out perspective on humanity and the predicament we find ourselves in. A bit like someone pointing out to the fish that it’s swimming in the ocean and explaining what that ocean is
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- Holly
- 10-04-21
Amazing teachings!
How ever long this work of our story may seem, it feels very complete. Eisenstein has taken off the mask and brought social connection to humanity. Imagine this being taught in school.
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- Mayryanna
- 06-21-19
EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS BOOK
Packed from cover to cover with insights, information, as well as historical, cultural and theoretical applications of humanity's progress. It gives a no-nonsense synopsis of our current situation as a species and the effects we have on our planetary home, as well as the path of ascent we have taken to arrive here. Yet, the conclusion of the book and the arguments for the age of reunion shines new light our dire state of existence, providing hope and practical applications for a better future for all.
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- Desiree Reyes
- 07-03-22
Deeper Reality
Helps me understand why I'm so discontented with this world on a deeper level. Amazing insights and lots of new ideas to ponder.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Steve Smalley
- 06-07-19
Mind expanding
Thought provoking. A must read for those looking to expand how they think about our world.
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- johnny51v3
- 05-14-22
must read
I'm continually impressed by Charles' overarching knowledge of his subject matter. Many times I was enlightened by hos viewpoint and also many times my heart was touched with hope for the future of our planet.
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1 person found this helpful
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- MS
- 07-11-21
Challenging in the Best of Ways
At first I wasn't sure if I would like that it isn't read by the author since I have heard Charles speak before, but the narrator does a good job at moving the author's words along efficiently. One needs to approach this book with an open mind and heart. Some of the ideas are challenging or even confusing but I think anyone can get out of it what they put in and what they are ready to receive.
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- fletchjd84
- 06-12-23
Extremely eye opening and challenging
"The Ascent of Man" offers a thought-provoking exploration of Western society's impact on humanity. While it provides insightful observations, the book's length and occasional repetition can be tiresome. Nevertheless, it effectively challenges readers to recognize the harmful aspects of our Western culture and prompts critical self-reflection.
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- Paul Lazazzera
- 05-17-19
Life Changing
The perspective Eisenstein elucidates puts into words feelings I have known for a long time. To hear them put them into a clear coherent and intellectual conception was liberating.
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4 people found this helpful
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- Michael F.
- 05-16-18
Everyone
This should be required reading/listening for freshmen in college and seniors in college.
Required reading/listening for fellow humans everywhere.
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2 people found this helpful