World Until Yesterday Cover

Book Nook: The World Until Yesterday

Traditional societies may possess more effective ways of raising families, resolving disputes, looking after their elders and healing their bodies.

The World Until Yesterday: What Can We Learn from Traditional Societies?

by Jared Diamond
Published in 2013 by Penguin, 512 pages

This New York Times bestseller by Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Jared Diamond fluently describes the many areas of modern life that could benefit from the ancient practices and viewpoints of traditional tribes and cultures. Oftentimes, their behaviors and perspectives are discounted in the modern age as being somewhat old-fashioned and out of touch, but nothing could be further from the truth. We have a lot to learn from groups like the Xingu Indians in Brazil, the !Kung tribe of Africa, the Kalahari San people and the New Guinea Highlanders.

In fact, it was just yesterday in the grand scheme of the universe that we were all living in a much different environment. Today’s humans still possess bodies and temperaments better suited to the hunter-gatherer lifestyle than to modern circumstances. Traditional societies may possess more effective ways of raising families, resolving disputes, looking after their elders and healing their bodies. As we know from our own participation in the Firefly Gathering, much can be learned from the ancient ways. Part of the Firefly experience is to learn about, preserve, and communicate this ancient wisdom among ourselves but perhaps the larger responsibility is to pass the skills and wisdom to the larger community, especially through our children for the sake of future generations. Jared Diamond’s well-researched, meticulously presented and mesmerizing tome is a good addition to any modern abo’s library. At 512 pages, it’s certainly one to keep you busy reading through the long, cold winter nights ahead.

WRITTEN BY

Firefly Gathering

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Lily Harlin

Bookkeeper

Lily is an artist, creator, and dreamer. Since a very young age, she has been immersed in the natural world and draws heavy inspiration from the wild. Though her medium changes frequently, Lily’s art and expression always incorporate an element of the organic and unpredictable. She got her associate in fine arts in 2023, and now volunteers at her school as a ceramic studio monitor. She hopes to open a studio of her own one day to have a place to teach and inspire others. In addition to doing commission work, Lily has been creating many graphics for The Firefly Gathering since 2019. Lily grew up in the Earthskills community from the time she was eight years old, so having the opportunity to grow and give back in so many ways has been incredibly fulfilling. No matter where she ends up, this group of people and ideas will always hold a special place in her heart.