A Hunter-Gatherer's Guide to the 21st Century: Evolution and the Challenges of Modern Life

Social risks—intellectual, psychological, emotional—must be taken, but doing so in front of strangers is particularly difficult. Both small class sizes and extended time together…

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Omega Principle

The Corrective Lens

Consistently follow through on your promises, both positive and negative. Do not make a threat (e.g., If the screaming continues, I’m going to take away your toy.) and then not follow through. Better not to make such threats in the first place, but if you do…

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Consider this informal test to assess certain types of ailments, and whether a modern “fix” is called for: In environments similar to the one I am living in, did people suffer from this ailment prior to modern medicine? If yes, a novel solution is warranted. If no, look to history for the solution. Take rickets as an example, for someone of Europea

Adaptive evolution improves the “fit” of creatures to their environment.

Do let children play without adult supervision as early and often as possible. This includes in game and sport situations…

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Spend time in nature, the less constructed and controlled the better. This has many benefits, among them the dawning recognition that you cannot control everything in your life, and that experiencing discomfort—even the slight discomforts of a too-warm day, or rain for which you are unprepared—calibrates your appreciation for other aspects of your

To honor good rules and question bad ones. All people run into bad rules—whether in the legal system, at home, at school, or elsewhere. If you’re a parent, strive to show your children that you are 100 percent on their team—no matter the trouble they’ve bumped up against. Children should be free to ask why the parents’ rules are what they are, but