Supernormal Stimuli: How primal urges overran their evolutionary purpose, by Deirdre Barrett

Humankind likes to think that it is immune to “animal instincts,” but is it? This book argues that not only are humans every bit as likely as “lower” animals to respond instinctually to stimuli, but that evolution has not kept pace with modern life and our reactions to serious problems (war, racism, the overabundance of cheap and fattening food) are often shaped by inappropriate drives that no longer serve us well. But by using our big brains, if we are aware of this, we can choose to live differently, and in ways that are better for ourselves and our planet. 190 pp.