The Social Quotient is a way to measure how valuable each of us is to Western civilization. It is calculated from the real value (defined as broadly as possible) that we cause to be created and real value we cause to be consumed. The Social Quotient of individuals who produce and consume the average amount is one. Individuals who produce nothing have Social Quotients of zero. The Social Quotient of highly productive individuals are hugely positive (maybe in the millions), and highly destruction people have hugely negative ones. As a research biologist, Donald Macfarlane describes this original concept in a light-hearted style and he uses it uses it to examine Western civilization as a biological phenomenon. He shows how the Social Quotient can be used to reach remarkable new insights to explain why, with best of intentions, we have often gone disastrously wrong in finance, government, education, healthcare, elitism, voting-even sex. He introduces us to new explanations for the modern evolution of man, and to new concepts including the Gross Domestic Impediment, stebs, loopy government, and misaligned incentives. More important, he shows us how to correct these errors. As a reader, you will quickly find that the Social Quotient becomes a natural part of your thinking about our society, to the benefit of all of us.