Humankind

 

HUMANKIND: Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman

The first time I read a synopsis of Humankind: Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman, my curiosity was aroused. I was so curios by the idea that the author aims to enlighten the population of this world to see our core nature in a different way, to be exact in a hopeful good way. I thought this book would be very much alike with the other self-help book. Yet it is not.

This book is easily understood in spite of a lot of data and information. To those who aren’t very into learning a history and they are worried that they would yawn throughout the reading time, worry not. The book will definitely not bore you. Otherwise, it will be a very page-turning book where you can envisage the past time while relating it the current reality.

However, you may not agree with all the new perspectives that the author tries to persuade. For instance in chapter 15 where it explains about try to give the authority to the citizens in democracy system. I can relate with the author’s motion even though there are still doubt regarding the application. He only flattens the history facts that can support his ideas. Yet in reality, it’s hardly to be true because human beings in a society system indeed need to survive. And by being survive, they have to obey the authority’s regulation. Especially when you live in a small and developing country when the citizens are lack of knowledge and have poor education, they cannot be independent with their own belief system and own voice. To rule them, it means there must be leader who is, like Bregman says, most likely to think most people are lazy and unreliable. It feels like an endless devastating circle when you start being kind.

Whether you support the author’s idea or not, this book helps us to see a different point of view about human nature. Human beings, most of the time, are feeling threaten and anxious about the life, surroundings, future and anything. Yet this book tries to give a new fresh air about kindness. This may help you to react more sincere and optimistic regardless whatever circumstances that you encounter instead of feeling cynical. I recommend this book to everyone thus at very least, once again people will see the kindness in this world.

 

 

 

By : Mentari Adriani