The text, which is meant to be comprehensible for a general audience, was written with the help of several colleagues within relevant fields of science. From The Book 1. We survive everywhere, from deserts to the frozen tundra, from mega-cities to solitary caves. We have even left our footprints on the moon. Survival does not necessarily imply that we thrive under any and all circumstances.
Humans even commit suicide.
From a biological point of view this is a most bizarre act, and an obvious indicator of maladjustment. The point is that many, if not most, humans do not seem to be content, despite of all the advantages of an industrialised society. Animals living under natural conditions appear to be content, but various symptoms related to those described above are observed in animals held in captivity. Household pets and animals in zoos or on farms often exhibit behavioural disturbances, particularly those under the control of people who are not qualified to take care of them. To my mind, the crux of the matter is that these animals are subjected to conditions that differ from those for which their genes have actually prepared them.