Guilds ruled many crafts and trades from the Middle Ages to the Industrial Revolution, and have always attracted debate and controversy. They were sometimes viewed as efficient institutions that guaranteed quality and skills. But they also excluded competitors, manipulated markets, and blocked innovations. Did the advantages of guilds outweigh their costs? Analyzing thousands of guilds from 1000 to 1880, The European Guilds answers that question with vivid examples and clear economic reasoning.
Sheilagh Ogilvie features the voices of honorable guild masters, underpaid journeymen, exploited apprentices, shady officials, and outraged customers, and follows the stories of the “vile encroachers”—women, migrants, Jews, gypsies, bastards, and others—desperate to work but hunted down by the guilds as illicit competitors. The European Guilds analyzes the toxic complicity between guild members and political elites, and shows how privileged institutions and exclusive networks prey on prosperity and stifle growth.
What We Are Reading Today: The European Guilds: An Economic Analysis by Sheilagh Ogilvie
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What We Are Reading Today: The European Guilds: An Economic Analysis by Sheilagh Ogilvie
Book Review: The Elephant in the Brain
Published in 2017, “The Elephant in the Brain” is an insightful book that takes readers on a journey into the hidden motives that shape human behavior and influence decision-making.
Writer and software engineer Kevin Simler and professor of economics Robin Hanson take a deep dive into the subconscious factors behind people’s choices in life and what drives them to act a certain way.
The book explores the idea that many human behaviors are influenced by hidden motives, evolutionary drives, social signals, and other unconscious aspects that the conscious mind fails to recognize.
Through various examples and case studies, the authors address the elephant in the room — the unspoken and unflattering secrets behind everything, from career choices and charitable contributions to laughter and attraction. They invite readers to question personal motives, choices, and biases and reflect on themselves.
One of the book’s strengths is its interdisciplinary approach, which gathers insights from several fields, including psychology, biology, and economics, to draw a more comprehensive picture for the reader.
However, “The Elephant in the Brain” might be a challenging read as it explores ideas regarding the nature of human behavior that some readers might find uncomfortable.
Yet, the authors skillfully maintain an objective, non-judgmental tone throughout, encouraging readers to approach the topic with a mindset of self-reflection and intellectual curiosity.
“The Elephant in the Brain” is well-researched and a great choice for people interested in understanding the hidden drivers behind human decision-making.
What We Are Reading Today: Civilization in Transition
Author: C. G. Jung
‘The “Civilization in Transition” features Jung’s writings on contemporary events, especially the relation between the individual and society.
In the earliest essay, “The Role of the Unconscious” (1918), Jung advanced the theory that World War I was a psychological crisis originating in the collective unconscious of individuals.
Book Review: ‘Outlive’
In “Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity,” Dr. Peter Attia (with Bill Gifford), a renowned physician and longevity expert, flips the script on aging.
He argues for a proactive approach that involves taking control of one’s health to prevent chronic diseases before they happen.
Attia ditches the one-size-fits-all mentality and instead focuses on four key pillars: diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management. He dives into the science behind each, explaining how they impact cellular health and ultimately, lifespan.
“Outlive” does not promise you a fad diet or a magic pill. Attia emphasizes personalized strategies and encourages tracking key health markers like blood sugar and blood pressure to understand the body's unique needs.
But it is not all biohacking. Attia acknowledges the mind-body connection, highlighting the importance of sleep and good relationships for a long, fulfilling life.
Moreover, the book explores the intricate science behind longevity and delves into the various factors that contribute to living a longer, healthier life.
The book provides readers with actionable strategies to optimize their healthspan, allowing them to not only extend their years but also improve their quality of life as they age.
Like an owner’s manual for health, “Outlive” empowers the reader to take charge, optimize their health, and not just live longer, but live a life that feels truly alive.
What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Career Arts
Author: Ben Wildavasky
Young people coming out of high school today can expect to hold many jobs over the course of their lives, which is why they need a range of essential skills.
“The Career Arts” provides a corrective to the widespread and misleading notion that there is a direct trade-off between going to college and acquiring practical job skills.
What We Are Reading Today: ‘Color in Nature’
Authors: Justin Marshall, Thomas Cronin, Sonke Johnsen, Ron Douglas, Anya Hurlbert, Jane Boddy and Fabio Cortesi
This beautifully illustrated book unlocks nature’s colorful purpose, revealing how creatures see color as well as shedding light on the important part that it plays in animal behavior, from reproduction and communication to aggression and defense.
