형태의 문화사: 사물의 생김새로 읽는 인간과 문명 이야기

This book poses fundamental questions about the appearance of the human body, objects, and the culture of using them. Why do we have five fingers, and why are soap bubbles round? Why do we find our past selves in old photos unfashionable, yet rave about vintage furniture with a worn feel? Every form holds a hidden story, and only by understanding its meaning can we truly see its beauty and reason for being. The book also posits that all expressions of civilisation we create – in housing, fashion, sports, art, daily commodities, transportation, roads, and cities – are ultimately reflections of the human body's form and proportions. Hence, they can be defined as extended artificial bodies. Developing intriguing discussions that span evolutionary psychology, cultural anthropology, architecture, thermodynamics, neuroscience, and biology, this book prompts us to reflect on our reason for existence in an age of artificial intelligence where human values are wavering.