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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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- Sharon Laplante
- 2023-05-02
Enjoyable and important
Solid and timely advocacy for rational thought and open conversation. Useful mental model. The mass of cited evidence gets a little heavy to listen to but makes a strong case that vigilance and courage is currently called for to keep our societies healthy and peaceful.
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- Katie
- 2023-04-28
Very interesting deep dive into WHY
Very worth taking the time to listen and try to understand what is happening around us.
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- fdt
- 2023-09-02
Essential Reading/Listening
The most accurate and measured account of today's societal problems I have come across. Brilliant
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- Zachary Moore
- 2023-03-15
Thank you so much Tim
Wow, I don’t know how he did it, but this is such a valuable contribution to the world. This needs to be read as widely as possible.
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- Nick
- 2023-04-29
I'm insisting that all my friends read this
So much in this book was a confirmation bias for me that I feel a need to search for an alternative point of view for balance. It is a very coherent and well structured piece.
Listening to all the examples, I realized that I had no idea how bad it got. The parallels between what is happening now and the Soviet Union as well as the third Reich are striking. It left me in a mild state of panic.
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- Dayne Odendaal
- 2023-03-20
A Breath of Fresh Air
Tim delivers a breath of fresh air at a time where we as a society seem to be suffocating from polarisation.
My hope is that everyone who reads or listens to this book makes a concerted effort to foster Idea Lab culture where genies can battle it out on the high rungs.
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- Robert Williams
- 2023-05-19
Thanks Tim
Why we’re effed for dummies. A much needed weapon tool in the golem slayer’s toolkit.
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- Sam
- 2023-03-08
Finally a framework to facilitate discussion!
This is a must read for anyone curious about the growing divide in our society across the political spectrum. Tim Urban does a fantastic job of creating frameworks for discussion and analyzing the pitfalls to which both sides of the political spectrum have fallen victim.
This isn't a left vs right problem but a higher rung vs lower rung problem and we could all benefit from taking a step back and recognizing the humanity of everyone involved.
Highly recommend this book regardless of what side of the political spectrum you sit on and if you can keep an open mind (or stay in a higher rung form of thought), I think we could all benefit.
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- Brett S
- 2023-04-01
Advocates for nuance in a complex world
Tim Urban is a liberal who recognizes that people have different opinions on matters of society, economics, religion etc. He advocates for what he calls an ‘idea lab’ environment that has a place for thinkers on the Right, Center and Left. Having the ability to dissent and disagree openly is what can drive progress in a society. It also serves to keep extreme elements in check.
Not surprisingly, Urban covers examples of how many on the Right (e.g. Republican party) today are driven into ‘low rung’ thinking that puts their group first and wishes to silence debate. But he also spends time showing how those on the ‘low rung’ Left are doing something similar. I would recommend this book to any liberal or progressive who wishes to hear the case for why claims from the Right about ‘cancel culture’ are not as invalid as is sometimes claimed by progressives. Tim Urban avoids the vitriol and hyperbole that frequently comes from those on the Right who cover this same topic. The many different models suggested in this book — e.g. expanding the right vs left debate to include high rung vs low rung thinking, the use of the illiberal staircase and many more — help to make for a well-reasoned and compelling argument. Tim Urban’s narration is also first rate.
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- Ms Chan
- 2023-02-28
Everyone should read this
If you are a parent, teacher, leader, anyone who cares about more critical thinking in our society and the future of humanity, you will find this a great read. I can’t put it down.
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