UBC discuss Humankind by Rutger Bregman

We are starting the year with Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman. In this book, Bregman takes a look through history to build his argument that in a Lord of the Flies-type situation we are more likely to co-operate than turn on each other. Hopefully it will give us a positive outlook as we go into 2026.

You can watch Bregman discuss Humankind at the London School of Economics here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TrqA10DHng&t=78s (and you can still come to book group if you only watch the video and don't read the book)

Bregman is this year's Reith lecturer. His Reith lectures relate more to his most recent book Moral Ambition, which is a call to action to stop doing bullshit jobs under the rule of corrupt leaders and apply our talents and energies to good purpose instead.

You will find the Reith lectures here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00729d9

Feel free to listen to the lectures and/or read Moral Ambition in addition to or instead of Humankind, whatever most takes your fancy. He also has an earlier book, Utopia for Realists, that might be of interest.

We will discuss the book, and doubtless go off on fascinating tangents, over a drink at the Watershed.