'Inconspicuously Human': The Science Behind Human Instincts

`Inconspicuously Human` Written by Uday Singh

When the seats finally became available, after a tiring standing-room-only ride in the crowded subway train, why did the woman in high heels choose not to sit down while her 10-year-old did? When made to compete in the kids' activity of arranging wood blocks one on top of another, why did one manager falter at just five blocks while another managed to stack up an impressive 20? Are we able to learn things, like swimming or riding a bicycle, without any memory of having undergone such learning? ‘Inconspicuously Human' tries to answer these and a slew of other intriguing questions, and sheds light on what constrains people, motivates them, and in the end, what makes them happy.

This book has been one of the best non-fiction reads of the year. Written by an engineer, economist, and philosopher, Uday Singh, Inconspicuously Human focuses on the human psyche and answers questions regarding the involuntary choices we are conditioned to make.

This book discusses incredible experiments and answers several behavioral questions. Each chapter starts off with a thought-provoking, and at times provocative, question (e.g., Is white always right? Do we always know our limits?) to the readers and then goes about providing a scientific/ logical basis for answering that question, leveraging different psychology and sociology experiments. The beginning of every chapter is written in a way that piques the reader's curiosity. Still, as they move towards the end, the explanations and unambiguous answers provided by the author leave them with a sound sense of satisfaction.

What makes ‘Inconspicuously Human' an exciting read is that it has been written in a clear, comprehensible manner without unnecessary scientific and research jargon. The book can be picked up by anyone interested in the human psyche and not just by the intellectuals in the field of sociology and psychology.

The book provides fascinating insights into the experiments and shows the readers that there is more to human nature than what may be obvious on the surface. The reader is left with an understanding of basic human motives. As one goes through the book, one can't help but commend the author for his in-depth research, laying out detailed experiments and additionally explaining the context behind these. The book provides the readers with answers that are likely to allow enable them to understand how their instincts work and to control them a little better.

The book does justice to the topics it has covered and also satisfies all critical thinkers with the scientific basis behind the author's conclusions while also keeping the flow lightweight, making it approachable to all. The author has carefully but smartly chosen the right set of anecdotes and small stories, making ‘Inconspicuously Human' an enriching read and one filled with proper scientific depth.

Sure, some may question the validity of experiments involving animals and how behavioral experiments focusing on animals can explain the human mind. The author explains that the approach adopted in this book is centered around the notion that when we observe a particular behavior in animals, we can tie it down to an instinct, that has been genetically incorporated in us as an inherent/ subconscious animal tendency.

The findings captured in the book (which can go head-to-head with other books in this genre, like Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell) will help one to refocus their life and direct their efforts into things that truly matter, and to make subtle changes in their lives which are likely to stay with them long after the book itself is a distant memory.

The book is an ideal read for anyone looking to understand individual human behavior or how we function as part of society. Aside from that, the book can be an excellent investment if you are looking for personal success as it helps one learn more about themselves.

Inconspicuously Human is available on Amazon at https://amzn.to/3zaVsLV