Being Human: Human Being Manifesto for a New Psychology

In this review of Being Human: Human Being, the reviewer finds a thoughtful, probing exploration of what it means to be human and how early events shape our capacities. Written by M Erik Wright, this book is for readers interested in developmental psychology, clinical insight, and the interplay of perception and learning. The single biggest reason to read it is its persistent focus on the first moments after experience and how those milliseconds can influence lifelong outcomes, making the book valuable for clinicians, educators, and curious lay readers who want a rigorous, reflective perspective.

Key Features

• Central thesis: The book argues that much of being human evolves from what happens in the first thousand milliseconds after an event, offering a focused framework for understanding immediate processing and its long-term effects.
• Comparative questions: It raises compelling contrasts, such as why deafness and blindness lead to different educational outcomes, which prompts readers to reconsider assumptions about sensory loss and learning.
• Practical curiosity: The author uses everyday puzzles-how a caregiver teaches a baby to talk versus formal reading instruction-to connect theory to observable human development.
• Clinical voice: Authored by a distinguished professor in clinical psychology and psychiatry, the book provides an informed perspective grounded in clinical training and academic experience.
• Attention and perception: The text examines selective attention, illustrating how a soft, continuous voice can be followed amid noise, which offers accessible examples for students and practitioners.

Who It's For

This book is best for clinicians, graduate students, and informed readers intrigued by developmental psychology and the microseconds that shape response patterns. It suits professionals who appreciate a clinical-academic voice and readers looking for conceptual tools to explain why early moments often carry disproportionate weight in development.

Those seeking a step-by-step teaching manual or a book of activities for parents should look elsewhere; the text is reflective and conceptual rather than a how-to guide. Readers wanting broad pop-psychology summaries without clinical depth may also find this work denser than expected.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Thought-provoking focus on the first one thousand milliseconds offers a clear, original lens for thinking about human response and development.
• Concrete contrasts and examples, such as differences in teaching speech and reading, make abstract ideas easier to grasp.
• The clinical and academic background of the author adds credibility and depth to the discussions on perception and attention.

Cons

• The book is more conceptual and investigative than a practical instructional manual, which may limit appeal for readers seeking hands-on strategies.

Specifications

Title	Being Human: Human Being: Manifesto for a New Psychology
Author	M Erik Wright, Distinguished Professor of Clinical Psychology
Coaffiliation	Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry Rue L Cromwell
Main focus	Early milliseconds of perception and human development
Topics covered	Perception, attention, developmental differences, learning
Category hints	Books; Psychology & Counseling; Social Psychology & Interactions

Our Verdict

Being Human: Human Being is a valuable, intellectually rigorous read for clinicians, graduate students, and thoughtful readers who want a deeper conceptual account of how immediate experience shapes development. It is good value for those seeking clinical insight and theoretical clarity, though readers expecting practical teaching drills should be prepared for a reflective, rather than instructional, approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book focus on clinical cases?
The book draws on clinical and academic experience to illustrate its points, emphasizing conceptual analysis rather than detailed case manuals.

Is this suitable for parents wanting teaching strategies?
Not primarily; the book explains underlying processes and contrasts in learning but does not provide step-by-step teaching programs.

What disciplines will find this most useful?
Clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, developmental researchers, and advanced students in psychology will gain the most from its theoretical focus.