Tom OliverThe Self Delusion: The Surprising Science of Our Connection to Each Other and the Natural World

The science shows the extent to which we depend on our environment and each other. We see ourselves as isolated units acting independently of our surroundings, but this is just our perception - a ‘sense’ of self, which serves as a survival mechanism. In reality we are open systems interacting, responding and collaborating in a multitude of ways that Oliver explains. This is a rather beautiful and positive book that shows we really are all in this together. By sharpening your sense of interconnectedness, Oliver makes you feel more connected. To what end? Because the global challenges we face now require us to see the bigger picture beyond our narrow sense of self.

This is one of the most profound and beautifully written books I've read. He makes a compelling argument that individualism is an illusion and demonstrates our radical interconnection with each other and all of life. For example our bodies are made of 37 trillion cells that are short lived, we have more bacteria than human dna that can control our moods and behaviour, and are composed of molecules recycled across space, time and other human and non-human organisms for millenia. He argues that the over emphasis on being separate individuals has had tragic consequences for our own lives with the rise of anxiety, depression etc but also the environment. Well worth a read, you won't think of your 'self' in the same way again!

He didn’t convince me! But a good book.

I found this book somewhat interesting in the first six chapters. But then the book turned political and frankly, insulting. In discussing human interconnectedness, the author attributes Britain's decision to the leave the EU, and the election of Donald Trump in 2016, to "harmful memes" proliferating in the media having "very little basis in fact." Really? So people supporting BREXIT and Donald Trump didn't have passionate beliefs grounded in facts? Apparently so according to the author. Indeed they were nothing but robots blindly responding to "harmful memes." After this display of simple-mindedness, it was hard to take anything the author said seriously. But I thought I'd keep reading in the unlikely event I'd hear something profound. I guess I shouldn't have been shocked to discover the next chapters had the same old tired leftist pap: Man is destroying the planet! Western culture bad; Asian culture good! From then on, the book was basically a preachy psychology book--NOT what I expected when I bought this book. I threw it out after Chapter 12. Time is too precious to waste.

Once in a while comes a book that can change your life, this book can change not only your life but also that of all living things around you."The Self Delusion" is a fantastic journey through topics as diverse as microbiology, neurobiology, ecology, psychology, sociology, philosophy, and economics to highlight the connections among all organisms and how these underlie the balance of the world's human and natural systems. The science is absolutely cutting-edge but always expertly communicated and made accessible to all. In addition, a very comprehensive "Further reading" list at the end of the book enables you to dig deeper into any of the topics covered.This is an incredible book that will change the way you see the world and empower you to make positive changes to your life with trickling consequences for the health of the planet.