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1-Page Summary of Go Wild

Overview

People who live in cities often have a desire for open spaces. They may remember the feeling of being on horseback, or climbing mountains and looking down at the land below them.

At the very least, you probably sometimes want to go outside and get a view of the city. This is because our bodies have evolved since ancient times—they crave physical activity and wilderness. However, modern society has taken away almost all of the conditions that our bodies need in order to thrive.

However, there are ways to reconnect with nature in an urban setting.

In this article, you will discover how primitive tribes are actually quite advanced in some ways; that humans have a tribal side to them and we need to embrace it; and that vegan diets may not be the best idea.

Big Idea #1: Humans evolved to actively live in the wild, not to be sedentary.

Many people wake up, go to work every day and do the same things over and over again. They don’t want to live that kind of life anymore. They want something more than what they have now.

It’s actually very natural to feel this way, because our bodies weren’t designed for sitting at desks all day.

Wild animals and humans have similar instincts. However, wild animals are more in tune with nature than most humans. Some people live like they’re still wild, though, and research shows that these people are happier and healthier because of their connection to nature. They spend a lot of time outside farming or hunting for food; this keeps them connected to the earth and helps them stay healthy.

However, some experts have claimed that we’ve evolved beyond our wild nature and are no longer at risk. However, this is untrue because of the way we live today. Our modern lifestyle has contributed to many illnesses including heart failure, obesity, autism and cancer. We eat junk food while sitting in front of screens all day without exercising or going outside enough.

The San people of Southern Africa are great hunters, farmers and live in tight-knit communities. They have managed to stay healthy for a long time.

Maybe there are some lessons we can learn from those who live a healthier lifestyle than the average person.

Big Idea #2: The human mind and body are built to be empathetic and agile.

Humans evolved to be great hunters, but this ability stems from our empathy. It’s a trait that sets us apart from other species.

We evolved the ability to take care of our offspring, which led us to be empathetic. The process began with caring for children and then extended into relationships with spouses. We can also put ourselves in someone else’s shoes and understand how they might react in a given situation. This allows us to plan ahead and help keep our families fed as well as maintain strong family bonds.

Humans are perfectly suited for the wild because of their physical abilities. Humans can walk and run, crouch, bend, jump and build tools to help them hunt and gather food.

Our small guts are the reason we’re able to survive on a wide variety of foods, while other animals can only live off grass. We have active lifestyles that allow us to hunt for food and use our athleticism to do so.

Therefore, our ancestors hunted and fished to keep themselves well fed. To do this efficiently, they developed a keen intelligence that allowed them to observe their surroundings and make the best use of their energy.

If you spend a lot of time sitting in front of your computer, it can lead to depression. You’re built to do much more than that.

Big Idea #3: Exercise can lead to higher intelligence, and “wild” conditions can help you sleep.