On the origin of tepees
Subtitle: the evolution of ideas (and ourselves)
By: Jonnie Hughes
Publisher: Free Press
Published: 2011
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 302
ISBN-13: 9781439110232
Subjects: Social aspects; Dwelllings; Tipis; Indians of North America; History
Description: We humans pride ourselves on our capacity to have ideas, but perhaps this pride is misplaced. Perhaps ideas have us. After all, ideas do appear to have a life of their own. Many biologists have already come to the opinion that our genes are selfish entities, tricking us into helping them to reproduce. Is it the same with our ideas? Jonnie Hughes, a science writer and documentary filmmaker, investigates the evolution of ideas in order to find out. Adopting the role of a cultural Charles Darwin, Hughes heads off, with his brother in tow, across the Midwest to observe firsthand the natural history of ideas--the patterns of their variation, inheritance, and selection in the cultural landscape. In place of Darwin's oceanic islands, Hughes visits the "mind islands" of Native American tribes. Instead of finches, Hughes searches for signs of natural selection among the tepees.--From publisher description.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references.