Nicholas A. Christakis Libri

A piercing and scientifically grounded look at the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic and how it will change the way we live -- "this year's must-must-read." (Daniel Gilbert) Apollo's Arrow offers a riveting account of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic as it swept through American society in 2020, and of how the recovery will unfold in the coming years. Drawing on momentous (yet dimly remembered) historical epidemics, contemporary analyses, and cutting-edge research from a range of scientific disciplines, bestselling author, physician, sociologist, and public health expert Nicholas A. Christakis explores what it means to live in a time of plague -- an experience that is paradoxically uncommon to the vast majority of humans who are alive, yet deeply fundamental to our species. Unleashing new divisions in our society as well as opportunities for cooperation, this 21st-century pandemic has upended our lives in ways that will test, but not vanquish, our already frayed collective culture. Featuring new, provocative arguments and vivid examples ranging across medicine, history, sociology, epidemiology, data science, and genetics, Apollo's Arrow envisions what happens when the great force of a deadly germ meets the enduring reality of our evolved social nature.

Drawing on advances in various scientific fields, this work reveals how evolution has set us on a humane path, highlighting our shared humanity. While much focus has been placed on the darker aspects of our biological heritage—such as aggression and self-interest—natural selection has also endowed us with beneficial social traits like love, cooperation, and learning. Beneath our inventions and societal structures lies an innate tendency to foster a good society. The author presents the idea that our genes influence not only our physical and behavioral traits but also the formation of societies that share striking similarities across the globe. Through vivid examples from diverse cultures, historical events, and even animal behaviors, the text illustrates that, despite a history marked by violence, we are inherently inclined toward goodness. In an era of political and economic division, it is easy to overlook the positive aspects of our evolutionary past. By examining the ancient roots of our societal goodness, the work emphasizes that our genetic makeup has contributed to the development of societies for our benefit, creating a feedback loop where societies continue to shape our genes today.

Celebrated scientists Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler explain the amazing power of social networks and our profound influence on one another's lives.Your colleague's husband's sister can make you fat, even if you don't know her. A happy neighbor has more impact on your happiness than a happy spouse. These startling revelations of how much we truly influence one another are revealed in the studies of Dr. Christakis and Fowler, which have repeatedly made front-page news nationwide.In Connected , the authors explain why emotions are contagious, how health behaviors spread, why the rich get richer, even how we find and choose our partners. Intriguing and entertaining, Connected overturns the notion of the individual and provides a revolutionary paradigm-that social networks influence our ideas, emotions, health, relationships, behavior, politics, and much more. It will change the way we think about every aspect of our lives.