The Michael Shermer Show Neanderthals and Us: A Complex Story of Coexistence and Hybridization
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May 17, 2025 
Join evolutionist Telmo Pievani, a leading thinker in the philosophy of biological sciences, as he delves into the intriguing coexistence of Neanderthals and Homo sapiens. The conversation reveals how hybridization has shaped modern human diversity and health. Discover the complexities of human evolution, the roles of serendipity in science, and the tension between established theories and new anomalies. Pievani also discusses how a deeper understanding of our ancestors reshapes views on race and biology.
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Human-Neanderthal Hybridization
- Neanderthals and Homo sapiens were distinct species but freely interbred upon cohabitation.
- Hybrid offspring were healthy and have left 2-4% of Neanderthal DNA in Eurasian humans today.
Race is Biologically Meaningless
- Human races lack biological basis due to extensive genetic overlap and recent origin.
- Racism persists despite the scientific consensus that race is biologically meaningless.
Origins of Bipedalism Explained
- Bipedalism likely originated for thermoregulation and mobility in Africa's unstable environments.
- Free hands and tool use were secondary adaptations, not primary reasons for bipedalism.
