BOOK
Science writer Robert Wright has resurrected and refined an unfashionable idea: Cultures evolve, and as they evolve they progress, becoming more sophisticated and complex. These days the notion of progress is politically incorrect, in part because it implies a direction to change, a destiny to our collective journey. But Wright, who has made his reputation writing about other politically incorrect ideas like sociobiology and evolutionary psychology (see The Moral Animal), goes beyond this simple controversy to claim that not only does culture progress, but certain forms of culture are inevitable. Inevitable! Destiny! These are almost fighting words.
Wright asserts that the near-magical power of overlapping self-interest - what he calls "non-zero-sumness" - is the engine behind the march of civilization. Cultures advance because the benefits achieved when humans cooperate exceed the negatives encountered when humans destroy. (In one chapter, he points to the role potlatch-type ceremonies played in the development of civilization.) The consequences of a continual win-win situation include increasing communication, interdependence, alliances, innovation, and sophisticated markets and institutions. Inevitably, the Net - the emerging global network of mutual communication - comes into being. As do global trade, widespread democracy, and universal literacy.
Of course, cooperation isn't everything. Wright avoids even a hint of mysticism or new-age spirituality in explaining progress, relying instead on decidedly materialistic explanations powered by memes, game theory, selfish genes, evolution, and sociobiology. Citing work by cultural anthropologists, he asserts that war is underrated as an agent of progress. In his hardheaded view, barbarian invasions cleaned up stagnant and oppressive regimes.
Much of the book has an iconoclastic stance, fed by a refreshingly broad selection of recent work in archeology and ancient history. It serves as a cohesive, deeply researched retelling of history through the framework of cultural memes - writing, bookkeeping, money - which rise and fall independent of the fortunes of the people and tribes that carried them.
Because of the political dimensions of his sweeping claims, there is plenty on every page to provoke, whether you're a lefty, a libertarian, or a right-winger, a scientist or a closet believer. In the end, Wright makes the most persuasive and original case for the idea of progress you are likely to hear. It's a great way to start a new century.
Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny by Robert Wright: $27.50. Pantheon Books: (800) 793 2665, +1 (212) 751 2600, www.randomhouse.com.
STREET CRED
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Violent Laughter
The March of Progress
Flighty Mouse
Fast Outta the Gate
Broadband Gamespot
Read Me
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Goth Talk
Dark Passage
Got Skim?
Weather Vane on a Chain
just outta beta
Lenscraft
The Road to Nerdville
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