The Rest Is History

146. Disease vs. the rise of civilisation

Feb 3, 2022

In this discussion, guest Kyle Harper, a Professor of Classics and disease historian, explores how humanity’s relationship with infectious diseases has evolved. He reveals that for most generations, death from disease was expected, but technological advancements and globalization shifted this norm. Harper delves into the demographic dynamics of pre-modern cities, the historical impact of the Black Death, and the transition from infectious to chronic illnesses. He also highlights how these changes have shaped societal structures and urban health over time.

41:40

Episode guests

Kyle Harper

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

The Death Transition

02:20

The Evolution of Microbes

02:08

Human Settlements in the Early Neolithic

04:16

Intro

3min

From Infection to Chronic Illness: A Historical Perspective

25min

Demographic Dynamics in Pre-Modern Cities

2min

Mental Health and Urban Health Evolution

4min

The Black Death: A Global Perspective

7min

Exploring Disease and Historical Narratives in China and India

2min

The way we die has been utterly transformed.

There have been around 10,000 generations of human beings, but only in the last 3 or 4 have infectious diseases not been an expected and accepted cause of death.

What drove the most deadly infectious diseases? Was technological progress and globalisation one of the key causes for its spread over the course of history?

Tom and Dominic are joined by Professor Kyle Harper from the University of Oklahoma to discuss the fascinating history of disease and how shifts in the way we die have changed our world completely.

Producer: Dom Johnson

Exec Producer: Tony Pastor

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