Spite cover art

Spite

And the Upside of Your Dark Side

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Spite

By: Simon McCarthy-Jones
Narrated by: Chris Clarkson
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About this listen

Spite covers psychology, economics, genetics, literature and current affairs to examine why humans inflict self-harm just to get one over on someone else. Why do we secretly want our friends to fail? Lots of irresistible stories about toxic behaviour in supermarkets and over the privet hedge, ramping up to incendiary divorces, vicious business practices, backbiting politics, scorched earth terrorism, Trump and Brexit. Was Trump elected because people voted out of spite for Hillary Clinton? There’s a hopeful message too – the upside of our dark side. Spite can drive us forward, and Simon provides a fresh perspective on the word by showing the evolutionary benefits of spite as a social leveller, an enabler of defiance, a wellspring of freedom and a vital weapon in our everyday armoury.

©2020 Simon McCarthy-Jones (P)2020 W F Howes Biological Sciences Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science Social Sciences Sociology Social justice Iran

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Critic reviews

“With rigorous science, penetrating analyses, colourful and enjoyable prose, and an astonishing breadth of knowledge – Simon McCarthy-Jones has delivered a book that will undeniably be appreciated by many.” (Frank Larøi, University of Bergen)
All stars
Most relevant
This is an engaging and thought-provoking book that explores the complexity of one of the darkest aspects of the human mind. The author manages to present the subject with a commendably balanced perspective.

highly recommended

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