On Humans Walking Towards the Human Condition ~ Jeremy DeSilva
Jul 17, 2023
Jeremy DeSilva, a fossil expert and professor of paleoanthropology at Dartmouth, delves into the quirks of human evolution, particularly our unique bipedalism. He discusses how upright walking shaped not just our body but our social structures and even complex language. DeSilva challenges Darwin's views, exploring the painful realities of childbirth and the health benefits of walking, like reducing Alzheimer’s risk. He uncovers how ancient bones reveal tales of resilience and community, reminding us of the intricate dance between evolution and our current vulnerabilities.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Bipedalism Came First
- Bipedalism was one of the earliest human innovations and preceded big brains and tool use.
- Jeremy DeSilva argues upright walking laid the foundation for later human traits rather than evolving alongside them.
Discard The March-Of-Progress Myth
- The common image of a chimpanzee slowly turning into a human is misleading and overly linear.
- DeSilva suggests the last common ancestor may have been more upright and knuckle-walking could be a later innovation in apes.
Walking Made Us Vulnerable—and Social
- Bipedalism made humans slow and vulnerable compared to other large mammals.
- That vulnerability created selection pressures favoring sociality, cooperation, and mutual care.
