Subscribe now

Life

What Westerners can learn from tribal societies

By Alison George

9 January 2013

New Scientist. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

“They are disgusted that our old age is often so miserable”

(Image: Jochen Braun)

Jared Diamond changed the way we understand the modern world with his Pulitzer-prizewinning book, Guns, Germs, and Steel. Now he looks to tribal communities to see how we all once lived. Alison George asks him what the West has got right, and which ways of the past hold insights for the present

Your book is about traditional societies. Do you hope to shed light on the way we used to live?
Yes. Tribal societies give us a glimpse of how we all lived until virtually…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

Popular articles

Trending New Scientist articles

Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop