What lies at the core of human progress? This episode sets the scene for all human innovation.
For 3.5 million years, humans and our ancestors were stuck in the Stone Age until 10,000 years ago we finally broke out of it and all manner of invention was let loose.
We study tribal life across the world from anthropological records and archeology to reconstruct the lifestyle of our ancestors and the forces against them. From personal pressures to global currents, we trace the blocks on human development. The answers hold many insights for today when we think about innovation and how to make progress..
We cover:
- What were we busy with for 97% of our existence?
- Why were we so slow at innovating?
- How did we eventually overcome these fundamental forces?
This episode is ground zero as we begin our expedition through history and the creation of our modern world.
ABOUT
This show is an independent podcast on a mission to document the most important inventions in history in chronological order. We hope you join us for the ride to learn how the world changes.
It is written, recorded, re-recorded, rewritten and re-re-recorded entirely by Sam Webster Harris.
(He also makes the music.)
Find out more or contact the show - ChangeTheWorldPod.com
Designs were crafted by Francisca Correia (Available to hire)
Podcast strategy from Jeremy Enns (Available to hire)
BOOKS
The World Until Yesterday: What we can learn from traditional societies - Jared Diamond
An overview of the world last uncontacted tribes and their ways of live compared to today.
Don't Sleep, There Are Snakes: Life and language in the Amazonia jungle - Daniel L. Everett
Astonishing experiences and discoveries by missionary Daniel Everett in the Amazon jungle in 1977
CHAPTERS:
00:00 The Hand Axe Conundrum
01:53 Episode Goals
03:45 #1 - SURVIVAL
04:21 Energy requirements
06:30 Time Scarcity
08:59 Risk and Psychological Safety
11:17 #2 - CULTURE
12:41 Why people hate new ideas
15:25 The Grandmother Hypothesis
16:21 Widowhood statistics
17:46 Kaulong Tribe Widow killing
19:27 Catalhayuk - 1000 years of stasis
20:36 #3 - KNOWLEDGE
22:42 Losing knowledge
24:04 Maths
24:52 Communication and Language
25:53 Ice Age Picasso Paradox
27:06 #4 - MOBILITY CONSTRAINTS
28:05 Nomadism
30:22 Racism, war, and travel complications
32:07 Trade Issues
34:02 Feasting examples
35:51 #5 - POPULATION DENSITY
37:27 Evolution of Multicellular Life
39:54 Dunbars Number
41:25 Mortality Rates
42:46 Systems Feedback effects
44:31 LESSONS - How we beat the locks
48:00 Conclusion - Innovation isn't about Geniuses
50:50 What can you do
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