Humanish - by Justin Gregg (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Anthropomorphism is the human tendency to attribute human-like thoughts, feelings, and intentions to non-human things. It's a cognitive bias baked into the human mind that distorts our view of the world. But it doesn't just affect our understanding of animals. Anthropomorphism impacts our relationship to all living things, as well as inanimate objects (like AI), and natural phenomena (like hurricanes). It's perhaps one of the most powerful cognitive biases influencing our thoughts, but it's rarely talked about. It's time to change that.

In this groundbreaking book, bestselling science writer Justin Gregg takes readers on a journey through the science behind our peculiar tendency to humanize the nonhuman. Prepare to be amazed as Gregg unveils a world filled with emotional support alligators, a woman who married her briefcase, and Soviet super babies that drink dolphin milk. With a delightful mix of scientific insight and humor, this comprehensive exploration delves into the bizarre ways we engage in anthropomorphism. Each chapter is a treasure-trove of quirky stories and fascinating research, unraveling the reasons behind our instinct to see ourselves in the creatures around us.

Gregg explores why we treat pets like people, how anthropomorphism drives consumerism, and the inverse process, dehumanization. Readers will come away with a better understanding of the biological benefits to anthropomorhism, how our lives are enriched by it, and how to harness it to create healthier relationships.

Humanish is a crash course in anthropomorphism and an engaging exploration of the human experience, told through a comedic lens that will resonate with anyone who has ever whispered sweet nothings to their dog or imagined their cat plotting world domination.

Review Quotes

"Humanish is at once a riveting read and a breath of fresh air. Justin Gregg opens our senses and our hearts to nature's whims and to the other beings with whom we share our one and only planet. Identifying with them is a win-win for all."--Marc Bekoff, PhD, author of The Emotional Lives of Animals

"Everyone who is interested in both human and animal behavior will love this book. Justin Gregg uses interesting stories to explain anthropomorphism."--Temple Grandin, author of Animals in Translation and Animals Make Us Human

"Going beyond a delightful explanation of why we dress our dogs in cute costumes, this is an engaging and timely investigation of how we interact with technology, politics, and religion through a unique narrativizing lens--demonstrating that what makes us human is what we see as human-ish."--Adam Aleksic, author of Algospeak: How Social Media is Transforming the Future of Language

"If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal makes some extraordinary and thought-provoking points. It is not only engagingly written, but its controversial thesis is worth taking seriously... some of the cognitive concepts introduced... are nothing less than brilliant." --David P. Barash, Wall Street Journal (for If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal)

"A dazzling, delightful read on what animal cognition can teach us about our own mental shortcomings. You won't just tear through this book in one sitting--you'll probably want to invite Justin Gregg over for dinner to spend more time inside his brilliant mind. This is one of the best debuts I've read in a long time, and I dare you to open it without rethinking some of your basic ideas about intelligence." --Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again (for If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal)

"A snappy read: it left me wondering why we don't respect signals of intelligence from other species--and more deeply consider how our own intelligence works against us." --Amy Brady, Scientific American (for If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal)

About the Author

Justin Gregg is a Senior Research Associate with the Dolphin Communication Project and an Adjunct Professor at St. Francis Xavier University, where he lectures on animal behavior and cognition. He is author of the bestselling book If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal. Originally from Vermont, Gregg studied the echolocation abilities of wild dolphins in Japan and The Bahamas. He currently lives in rural Nova Scotia, where he writes about science and contemplates the inner lives of the crows that live near his home.