Sapiens

1. Humans Evolved from Primates and Share a Common Ancestor

Our closest relatives are the chimpanzees.

Primate Ancestry. Humans are not separate from the animal kingdom but are part of it, specifically belonging to the family of Great Apes. This challenges the long-held belief of human uniqueness and highlights our shared ancestry with other primates.

Shared Grandmother. About six million years ago, a female ape had two daughters, one the ancestor of all chimpanzees and the other the ancestor of all humans. This "grandmother" represents a pivotal point in evolutionary history, marking the divergence of human and chimpanzee lineages.

• Chimpanzees and humans share about 98% of their DNA.
• This close genetic relationship underscores the recent common ancestry.

Implications for Understanding Humanity. Recognizing our primate heritage helps us understand our biological and behavioral roots. It provides a framework for studying human evolution and the development of unique human traits.

2. Multiple Human Species Coexisted Until Recently

In fact, until about 50,000 years ago, our planet was home to at least six different species of humans.

Diversity of Human Species. Contrary to the present-day reality of Homo sapiens being the only surviving human species, the Earth was once home to a diverse array of human species. These included Neanderthals, Homo erectus, Homo floresiensis, and Denisovans.

Interbreeding and Replacement. Two main theories explain the disappearance of other human species: interbreeding and replacement. The interbreeding theory suggests that Homo sapiens mixed with other human populations, while the replacement theory posits that Homo sapiens outcompeted and replaced them.

• Genetic evidence suggests some interbreeding occurred, particularly between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals.
• However, the dominant narrative is one of replacement, with Homo sapiens ultimately prevailing.

The Mystery of Extinction. The reasons for the extinction of other human species remain a subject of debate. Factors such as competition for resources, violence, and environmental changes likely played a role. The disappearance of these species raises profound questions about human history and our place in the world.

3. Large Brains and Bipedalism Shaped Human Evolution

Another unique human trait is that we walk upright, on two legs!

Energetic Costs of Large Brains. Human brains are exceptionally large compared to other animals, consuming a significant portion of our energy. This energetic cost raises questions about the evolutionary advantages that outweighed the drawbacks.

• A human brain uses 25% of the body's energy at rest.
• This high energy demand necessitates a constant and reliable food supply.

Bipedalism and its Trade-offs. Walking upright on two legs freed our hands for tool use and carrying objects but also led to narrower hips and increased risks during childbirth. This trade-off highlights the complex interplay of evolutionary pressures.

• Bipedalism made it easier to scan the savanna for predators and prey.
• Narrower hips made childbirth more dangerous for human females.

Premature Births and Social Skills. Human babies are born relatively underdeveloped compared to other animals, requiring extensive parental care and socialization. This helplessness fostered the development of strong social bonds and complex communication skills.

• Human babies are dependent on their elders for many years.
• Raising children required constant help from other family members and neighbors.

4. Fire Domestication Marked a Turning Point

When humans domesticated fire, they gained control of a manageable and potentially limitless force.

Control Over a Powerful Force. The domestication of fire was a pivotal moment in human history, granting humans control over a powerful and versatile force. Fire provided warmth, light, protection from predators, and a means of cooking food.

• Fire allowed humans to expand into colder climates.
• It also provided protection from nocturnal predators.

Cooking and Brain Development. Cooking food made it easier to digest and extract nutrients, leading to smaller teeth and intestines and allowing for the development of larger brains. This dietary shift played a crucial role in human evolution.

• Cooking food reduces the energy required for digestion.
• It also kills germs and parasites, improving overall health.

Separation from Other Animals. Fire opened a significant gulf between humans and other animals, as it was a force not limited by the constraints of the human body. This control over an external force marked a crucial step towards technological advancement.

5. The Cognitive Revolution Enabled Unprecedented Cooperation

Sapiens rule the world because they’re the only animals capable of creating and believing fictional stories.

New Communication Skills. The Cognitive Revolution, which occurred approximately 70,000 years ago, marked a significant shift in human cognitive abilities. This revolution enabled Homo sapiens to develop new communication skills and cooperate in large numbers.

• The Cognitive Revolution led to the emergence of storytelling and abstract thought.
• It also facilitated the development of complex social structures.

Gossip and Social Bonds. The ability to gossip, or share information about other people, played a crucial role in strengthening social bonds and fostering cooperation. Gossip allowed humans to track the relationships and reputations of individuals within their communities.

• Gossip helps enforce social norms and maintain group cohesion.
• It also allows individuals to assess trustworthiness and build alliances.

The 150 Threshold. Psychologist Robin Dunbar proposed that humans can only maintain close relationships with approximately 150 individuals. This "Dunbar's number" represents a cognitive limit on the size of social groups that can be sustained through personal connections.

6. Fiction and Shared Myths Underpin Large-Scale Cooperation

Large numbers of total strangers can cooperate successfully if they believe in the same myths!

Transcending Dunbar's Number. To cooperate in larger groups, humans rely on shared myths and beliefs that transcend personal relationships. These myths can include religious beliefs, national identities, and legal systems.

• Churches are based on common religious myths.
• States are rooted in common national myths.

Limited Liability Companies as Legal Fictions. Modern institutions, such as limited liability companies, are also based on shared fictions. These companies exist as legal entities, separate from the individuals who own or manage them.

• Limited liability companies allow for risk-taking and economic growth.
• They are created through legal procedures and maintained through collective belief.

The Power of Collective Imagination. The ability to create and believe in fictional stories is a unique human trait that enables large-scale cooperation. This capacity for collective imagination has been instrumental in shaping human societies and institutions.

7. Foragers Possessed Extensive Knowledge and Skills

Survival in the Stone Age required every individual to have superb physical and mental abilities.

Deep Understanding of the Environment. Ancient foragers possessed a deep and intimate knowledge of their environment, including plants, animals, geography, and weather patterns. This knowledge was essential for survival and required years of apprenticeship and practice.

• Foragers needed to know which plants were edible and which were poisonous.
• They also needed to be able to track animals and predict their behavior.

Physical and Mental Prowess. Foragers were highly skilled and physically fit, capable of performing a wide range of tasks, from making tools to hunting and gathering food. Their constant use of their bodies made them as fit as marathon runners.

• Ancient foragers enjoyed physical dexterity that people today cannot achieve.
• They also possessed a keen awareness of their bodies and senses.

The Original Affluent Society. Some experts describe pre-agricultural forager societies as the "original affluent societies" due to their relatively short working hours, varied diet, and low incidence of infectious diseases. This challenges the common perception of foragers as living a harsh and impoverished existence.

8. Sapiens Restructured Ecosystems Through Extinctions

Sapiens is more like some upstart dictator who’s always afraid of losing power.

Ecological Impact of Sapiens. As Homo sapiens spread across the globe, they had a profound impact on the ecosystems they encountered. This impact often involved the extinction of large animal species, known as megafauna.

• The extinction of Australian megafauna occurred shortly after the arrival of humans.
• Similar extinction events occurred in the Americas and other regions.

Hunting and Fire as Tools of Transformation. Humans used hunting and fire to transform landscapes and ecosystems. Hunting drove large animal populations to extinction, while fire altered vegetation patterns and created new habitats.

• Hunting could drive slow-breeding species to extinction even with low kill rates.
• Fire could create open grasslands, attracting game and altering plant communities.

The Role of Climate Change. While climate change may have played a role in some extinction events, the arrival of humans often served as the tipping point, pushing already vulnerable ecosystems over the edge. The combination of climate change and human activity had a devastating impact on biodiversity.

Last updated: February 21, 2025