Cosmologies and the Modern World: Reader Reviews & Ratings

Erik882026-11-01 16:37

The way Macfarlane explains how linear progress became our default view is really eye-opening.

Ellis2026-10-27 10:43

This book makes me question why we assume progress is always good and linear.

Fritz2026-10-01 03:15

The part about Petrarch breaking the cycle of time really made me question my own view on history.

Griffin952026-09-23 10:57

This book made me question why I assumed progress is inevitable. It feels like a relief to know my worldview has historical roots.

Rodney82026-09-23 02:02

This book made me question the idea that progress is always good, showing how our view of history changed over time.

Jodie2026-09-22 04:45

The idea that progress isn't always linear really changed how I see history and my own culture.

John2026-09-18 17:33

This book helped me realize my belief in inevitable progress is just a Western bias.

Jorge2026-09-16 15:15

This book challenges my deep belief that history always moves forward, showing how cyclic time was once normal.

Ken2026-09-07 14:42

Linear progress is not a natural law but a specific cultural story that shaped how we view the world for centuries.

Chris2026-09-05 21:27

Macfarlane explains how the 19th-century idea of linear progress was twisted to justify colonial violence against Indigenous peoples, a disturbing but necessary truth that forces us to confront the hidden racism embedded in our academic traditions and modern political narratives, reminding us that what we call progress is often just a story told by those who held the power to define it for everyone else.

Shawn952026-09-01 11:11

Finished with a good mood—already shared with a friend.

Vera662026-08-30 14:14

The idea that progress isn't inevitable feels like a breath of fresh air after years of hearing it as a fixed rule.

Amy232026-08-27 07:47

This book made me question my own belief that history always moves forward to a better place, which feels very liberating.

Skye2026-08-19 09:59

This book challenges my belief that progress is inevitable and shows how our view of time changed from cyclic to linear over centuries.

Thalia72026-07-29 09:47

This book made me question my own assumption that history always moves forward to a better future.

Martina2026-07-28 07:34

This book made me question the idea that history always moves forward in a straight line toward better things.

Tabitha2026-07-25 14:49

The part about linear time feeling like a resource really made me question my own daily habits.

Lynn882026-07-19 12:30

I found the section on how linear time replaced cyclic views very interesting and thought-provoking.

Bruno2026-07-13 10:08

This book challenges my deep belief that progress is always good and inevitable.

Clint2026-07-07 13:08

This book made me question my own assumption that history always moves forward, which feels very refreshing.