Recently, my eyes fell on a rather intriguing title : "A manual for being human", by Dr. Sophie Mort .
A Sunday Times bestseller, the manual is defined as a self-help book based on various principles of personality and psychology.
The main message of the book, (according to reviews and comments), is that we, humans, are not raised to understand ourselves, and that makes it difficult for us to understand life and the world around us.
True. We come into this world with no... manual attached. Parents and schools are supposed to educate, guide , teach us about the facts and meaning of life, They don't always manage to do a good job. Well, nobody's perfect. Life is not perfect.
On the other hand, whenever we buy a specific product we insist on getting its manual. It comes under various names : User's manual, Instructions manual, Repair manual. Manual for beginners/advanced/experts, etc...
A manual is meant to give details about the product, and teach us how to use it and maintain it . We are more successful when dealing with specific products than with Life in general. Life is too vast and complex for us, both, as individuals and as society.
I haven't read the book yet (published in mid 2021). I think it's perhaps, an eye opener ; some readers may find answers and solutions for their problems in its content. Still, a manual for being human sounds rather far fetched and confusing to me.
I haven't heard of this one. I wonder what advice she gives, probably some good and some not so good.
ReplyDeleteI think the Bible is a good manual for humans!
The Bible is probably The Manual!
DeleteYes, it might be a bit farfetched, indeed. I feel we are always studying ourselves in some way. Perhaps. From food diaries to making a list of where we have been and what we want to happen. I feel some of the best teachers (of course, I didn't know that many) have been those to inspire us to keep our goals.
ReplyDeleteOf course, things change. And in the end keeping calm and carry on might be all we can do.
Thanks for the post. You are always inspiring.
Indeed, we are always studying ourselves, so we might as well get some advice and tips from Dr. Mort.
DeleteI guess we write our own manuals as we go. A manual like that would be more meaningful.
ReplyDeleteRight, Marie. I'm with you in this.
DeleteSounds like an interesting book...hope there's a Kindle version.
ReplyDeleteUsually, books in the category of self-help are quite interesting.
DeleteI suspect the book's name is catchy enough that people will pick it up.
ReplyDeleteThe name is indeed catchy. It made me read all the comments that came with it.
DeleteIt does sound like a far-fetched idea, but one that sells because people are always interested in themselves and in others - how we think and so on. Let us know how the book is, whether or not you found it useful or informative.
ReplyDeletePeople get attracted by the promise of self-help, and even by the notion of 'manual' -and that sells.
DeleteCurrently, there is a popular country song entitled "I'm Still Learning to be Human." Now, that's a lifelong quest!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Duta!
Being human is a status in progress, requiring constant learning. No wonder the song is popular. Blessings to you too, Martha!
DeleteNot surprising that parents did a clumsy job given that they didn't get the owner's manual either! I'd be interested to see what's in this one.
ReplyDeleteNo generation came with a manual of its own, neither at birth, nor later .
DeleteI agree it is hard to understand ourselves, good concept.
ReplyDeleteA book like that could help the individual with all kinds of suggestions and useful tips.
DeleteThe problem is that parents also don't come with a manual attached. Most of them walk and negotiate as problems appear, others read about the subject, but no one knows if the chosen path will work.
ReplyDeleteMarie Smith (above) put it well: " I guess we write our own manuals as we go".
ReplyDeleteI will be quite interested to hear what you think of the book once you read it...and then I might be giving it a go.
ReplyDeleteDianna dear, it's the sort of book that you have to see for yourself if and how it can help you understand personal issues, and finding the right way to deal with them.
DeleteI have mixed feelings about this. Do we really want to know or should we trust life?
ReplyDeleteIt's all right to have mixed feelings. Life is not all white or black. It's a mixture of things and colors.
DeleteWe are free to decide which way to go. A self help book can't be bad. We can give it a try, or not.
Is it even possible to have a manual for humans? They are just too different and one size certainly doesn't fit all. I do have mixed feelings about this as well. Still, it does sound interesting.
ReplyDeleteThe word 'manual' is somehow out of place here, but the book, a self-help book, might be interesting and even useful to some of us.
DeleteInteresting about the manual for humans, kind of made me laugh to myself a little. We have a good guide given to us in the Bible.
ReplyDeleteFor our new vehcile there is only a manual online but you can put it on your desktop of your phone!
I wouldn't laugh, but I admit the 'manual' word is kind of exaggerated in the human context. It suits more your new vehicle.
DeleteAnd somehow, we (at least me) only seem to read the manuals when we either get in trouble or are flummoxed!
ReplyDeleteIt's human nature, isn't it?
DeleteThat is an interesting topic!
ReplyDeleteI would say, that anything regarding us, humans, is interesting.
DeleteSometimes I think we all need a manual. Janice
ReplyDeleteI had an excellent child care manual - my mother. Backed up by her two sisters, my aunts. They all lived in the one street.
ReplyDeleteI believe you. My mother was quite a "manual" too.
DeleteSo many manuals these days are pretty useless...they're almost impossible to decipher. The one that came with my new television is totally useless. :)
ReplyDeleteMy apologies for not being around much lately, DUTA....life steps in the way some times. I hope all is well with you. Take very good care...stay safe. :)
There's deterioration of quality in almost everything, inclusive product manuals such as your new TV.
DeleteThanks for caring and wishing me well.
Hugs and blessings!
Tendríamos que ser como los animales. Nadie los enseña. Los humanos tendríamos que nacer con ese manual incluido, no tan indefensos y vamos aprendiendo por los padres, que también aprendieron de los suyos. Interesante libro.
ReplyDeleteBuena semana.
Un abrazo.
Indeed , we should be born each with our own inner 'manual', which will become further the basis on which parents and scools will exercit their influence.
DeleteWishing you a good week too!
I smiled when I read this post, Duta, because it seems that manuals for so many things these days come in electronic form.
ReplyDeleteSmiling is good for us. Usually. when we buy a product it comes with a guide attached. The more detailed manual comes in electronic form, but we can download it to have it at hand, if we so wish.
DeleteLove this I find human beings fascinating so I would love to read that book. It is quite strange how we don't see some shortcomings ourselves. We often protect our ego by projecting our faults onto others and deny any problems. We are quite a funny bunch
ReplyDeleteYes, we humans, are full of shortcomings and strong in denials of any sort.
DeleteGreat book
ReplyDeleteYes, it does sound like a great, useful book.
Deletehaha sounds cool :D
ReplyDeleteCool?! Why not? Everything goes well with humans.
DeleteI've not come across this book but I do wonder if it is possible to have a manual for humans, as we are all so different.
ReplyDeleteI think we tend to learn things as we go along but obviously the guidance our parents and teachers give/gave us has a lot of bearing.
All the best Jan
The word 'manual' makes us wonder, indeed. Its sub-title of self-help book ,however, makes it clear that it's not one for all. Any human will take from it what suits his/her problem.
ReplyDelete