
The Language of Life
How Communication Drives Human Evolution
Prometheus Books (Publisher)
Published on 22. May 2012
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-1-61614-579-8 (ISBN)
Description
Communication in its most basic form-the sending of signals and exchange of messages within and between organisms-is the heart of evolution. From the earliest life-forms to Homo sapiens, the great chain of communication drives the evolutionary process and is the indispensable component of human culture.
That is the central message of this unique perspective on both the biological evolution of life and the human development of culture. The book explores the totality of communication processes that create and sustain biological equilibrium and social stability. The authors argue that this ubiquitous connectivity is the elemental unity of life.
Introducing a new subdiscipline-evolutionary communication-the authors analyze the core domains of life-sheer survival, sex, culture, morality, religion, and technological change-as communications phenomena. What emerges from their analysis is a brilliant interpretation of life interconnected through communication from the basic molecular level to the most sophisticated manifestations of culture.
Challenging the boundaries of conventional approaches to cultural analysis, this is an original and engaging view of evolution and an encouraging prognosis for our collective future.
That is the central message of this unique perspective on both the biological evolution of life and the human development of culture. The book explores the totality of communication processes that create and sustain biological equilibrium and social stability. The authors argue that this ubiquitous connectivity is the elemental unity of life.
Introducing a new subdiscipline-evolutionary communication-the authors analyze the core domains of life-sheer survival, sex, culture, morality, religion, and technological change-as communications phenomena. What emerges from their analysis is a brilliant interpretation of life interconnected through communication from the basic molecular level to the most sophisticated manifestations of culture.
Challenging the boundaries of conventional approaches to cultural analysis, this is an original and engaging view of evolution and an encouraging prognosis for our collective future.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
493 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-61614-579-8 (9781616145798)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
05/2012
1st Edition
Prometheus Books
€15.81
Available for download
Persons
James Lull is an international authority on the impact of mass media, communications technology, and pop culture. Eduardo Neiva is an authority on how visual images influence culture. He is professor of Communication Studies at the University of Alabama.