The Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge
by Jeremy Narby
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Book Reviews of The Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge
Book Review: the first sparks dawn in the vast darkness of reason
Summary: 5 Stars
Ayahuasca is not a "drug" in the traditional sense, it is an orally activated dose of naturally occuring dimethyltryptamine. Your brain produces this same substance naturally and uses it to transmit information, although the way this works is still largely unexplored. The ayahuasqueros's of the Amazon use this same substance to gain a deeper perception of the world around them. There presently exists in humankind a chasm between those who "know" and those who understand that they do not know. Those who know are limited by the structures of reason they have erected in order to feel safer in the vastly paradoxical wonder that is life. The same structures that provide illusory safety, sadly, often blind them to the Truth.
What is a human being? Do you know?
If a thing has a name, does that mean we understand what it is?
Perhaps J. Narby has begun to bridge the gap for those who seek only within rigid constraints. Perhaps these houses will begin to crumble and those in them will begin to see that they were always safe, they were always home, there is only boundless wonder waiting in all directions.
I recommend this book, but beyond the first steps of investigation and research; I recommend imbibing, immersing, and including yourself in the place that has always been your home.
Book Review: An interesting story, but not a compelling argument
Summary: 3 Stars
This is a very interesting story by an author with great credentials who seems very sincere. However, his argument that indigenous people truly understood the structure of DNA and gained this knowledge from what the plants told them was not convincing. There were some interesting connections, but I found that Mr. Narby tended to read a lot into his findings. At certain points, I was even annoyed by the leaps in logic and hasty conclusions.
On a more positive note, the story itself is interesting and underlying concept for the book intriguing and thought provoking. When I shifted gears to thinking of this as very speculative and following it like ficition I found it more interesting. While I believe the author was sincere in his attempt to rely the facts, I think he got very caught up in his theory and tended to see proof for it where in fact the evidence was less than certain.
This book is certainly not a scientific treatise. It is a good story that raises some interesting issues about shamanism and the validity of information gained from altered states of consciousness. It raises interesting epistemological questions and certainly entertains, but I found it to be light in terms of making a good arguments for the central premise of the book.
Book Review: Total Crap
Summary: 1 Stars
This book is garbage. While I will be the first to agree that there are certain truths that have been reached by cultures without the help of the scientific method this is a pathetic attempt to link these truths with hard science. It is sadly reminiscent of the same arguments being used today to stuff "intelligent design" down the throats of the American public.
We are expected to take Narbys' tremendous leaps of faith as "science" because he got spun in the jungle and realized that DNA sort of looks like two snakes?? Gimme a break. Both science and spirituality are valid attempts to pursue the underlying connections that bind life as we know it. Maybe someday someone will come up with some hard evidence to link the two approaches this is most certainly not it. If it is read as one mans speculative and occasionaly insightfull ramblings that is one thing, but the fact that this guy has a Phd. and attempts to pass it off as science is pretty sad. This guy clearly has no grasp of the scientific method, but if you find science to be like totally way boring, then by all means, buy the book. However if you want something that is acutally thought provoking and not unsubstantiated story telling, read "The Archaic Revival" by Terrance Mckenna.
Book Review: Chills & Thrills
Summary: 5 Stars
First of all, a disclaimer. I'm not an academic (my only brush with science came with biology, chemistry and physics classes in high school and then with a couple semesters of physical and cultural anthropology in college) so I cannot speak to the science in this book. However, I am compelled to write this because as Narby was making his connections between DNA and serpents, I had to stop reading as a chill overtook me. For those of you who have read the book, you'll understand the next set of references. I put the book down and I looked at my right arm. On my right bicep is a black graphic tattoo that I designed, incorporating the Christian cross, the sun and Ouroboros. On the inside of the same arm is a tattoo of entwined twin snakes doubling as the handle of a dagger. To this day, I have never been able to sufficiently answer what compelled me to draw these tattoos and get them done. They are the only tattoos I have. I should also say that I got these tattoos about a year or two of heavy LSD, psilocybin mushroom and MDMA (which affects levels of seratonin in human biochemistry) use. Coincidence? Probably but this book opens that question up for a very personal debate. Hence, the 5 star rating.Book Review: A Very Interesting Read
Summary: 5 Stars
I sincerely enjoyed reading this book as I could not put it down. This book is roughly 240 pages with eleven chapters. And, it is very easy to read. Narby's "Notes" section at the end of the book is lengthy and informative.
"The Cosmic Serpent" reads more like a novel or a personal journey rather than a scholarly work that one would normally read on the subject. Personally, I was fascinated with the sincere expression of the author's stories and his mix-in with the science of DNA. There were much confusion among the scientific community about connection between the use of hallucinogenic plants and genetic, and yet Narby was able to clear that up, even as briefly, in this book. I also find it interesting about Narby's discovery of the connection between the symbolism of snakes and that of DNA (double helix), and he backed this up with historical evidence from Americas as well from other cultures.
I found this book to be quite informative and most interesting to read. Most certainly a new look on DNA. I also enjoyed his other book, such as Intelligence in Nature.