Ishmael
Test your knowledge with 45 questions across 3 challenge tiers
Master These Concepts
Review these key terms before taking the quiz
Ishmael
The telepathic gorilla who teaches the narrator about human civilization and its destructive path
Ishmael represents wisdom outside human culture able to see what humans cannot see about themselves
The Narrator
The unnamed student who answers Ishmael ad seeking someone to save the world
The narrator represents the earnest seeker who discovers his culture assumptions are not universal truths
Takers
Ishmael term for the dominant civilization that takes what it wants and destroys competitors
Takers believe the world was made for humans and they have the right to rule it
Leavers
Indigenous and tribal peoples who live within the ecological order rather than dominating it
Leavers have lived sustainably for millions of years following a different story
Mother Culture
The invisible voice that constantly whispers civilized assumptions as if they were universal truths
Mother Culture tells Takers their way is the only right way to live
The Story
The mythology a culture enacts that shapes how its members understand the world
Takers and Leavers live according to different stories about humanity place in the world
Select a Quiz Tier
Complete each tier to unlock the next and earn your badges.
Fundamentals
TIER 1 • READER BADGE
Deep Dive
TIER 2 • SCHOLAR BADGE
Expert
TIER 3 • MASTER BADGE
