What Makes You Uniquely Human & How Words Affect Your Thoughts
Oct 14, 2024
auto_awesome
In this engaging discussion, Adam Rutherford, a science writer and author of "The Book of Humans," uncovers the surprising traits that distinguish humans from other species. He challenges common perceptions of human uniqueness, touching upon our emotional complexities. Meanwhile, Steven Mithen, an archaeologist, explores the origins of language, revealing how our ancestors evolved from grunting to using words. He delves into how language shapes thought and perception, emphasizing its pivotal role in human communication and culture.
The practice of naming storms enhances public safety and awareness, with a system that has evolved since its inception in 1953.
Language not only shapes human thought and perception, but its evolution reflects significant societal and cognitive changes throughout history.
Deep dives
The Significance of Storm Naming
Naming storms serves a practical purpose in enhancing public awareness and safety. This practice dates back to the 19th century, where storms were originally named after the Saints' days they occurred on. The National Hurricane Center adopted the practice of naming storms in 1953, initially using female names and introducing male names later in 1979. Understanding storm names also means recognizing that particularly destructive storms, like hurricanes, have their names retired to avoid confusion in future communications.
Rethinking Human Uniqueness
Many traits previously thought to be exclusively human are shared with other species, redefining what we consider unique to humanity. For instance, while sex has long been viewed primarily as a reproductive act, research shows that the vast majority of sexual encounters do not lead to reproduction, paralleling similar behavior in many animal species. This prompts a reevaluation of our assumptions and illustrates that behaviors such as non-reproductive sex are not solely human traits. Additionally, the complexity of human communication, while sophisticated, can be found in varied forms across the animal kingdom.
The Role of Language and Thought
Language plays a crucial role in shaping our thoughts and perceptions of the world around us. Studies have shown that the words and concepts available in a person's language influence how they think about colors, emotions, and experiences. For instance, some languages lack terms for particular colors or emotions, which raises the question of whether speakers of those languages perceive them differently. This investigation into the relationship between language and cognition highlights the depth and complexity of human communication beyond mere vocabulary.
The Evolution and Impact of Language
The evolution of language reflects significant changes in human society and cognition over millennia. Early communication likely involved iconic words derived from sounds representing objects or actions, which later evolved into arbitrary terminology as societies grew and required more complex interaction. The emergence of agriculture and written language marked pivotal moments in language development, leading to greater community interaction and the preservation of knowledge. Today, language continues to adapt, influenced by technological advancements and cultural exchanges, showing its dynamic nature throughout human history.
What is it that makes us human and separates us from all the other animals on the planet? The answer will surprise you because a lot of characteristics you may think are uniquely human are not. Yet there are other things that do make us unique that you may have never considered. Here to sort it all out and make you think differently about what it means to be a human is Adam Rutherford. He is a science writer, broadcaster, and author of the book The Book of Humans: A Brief History of Culture, Sex, War, and the Evolution of Us (https://amzn.to/3YsxLyF)
At some point our ancestors stopped grunting and started using words to communicate. And those words started to affect how we think. So, how did that all happen? Where did our words come from? Why do some words seem so arbitrary while other words sound like the word they are describing? All this is what Steven Mithen is here to discuss. He is an archaeologist and professor of early prehistory at the University of Reading. He has written more than 200 hundred articles and books, his latest book is called The Language Puzzle: Piecing Together the Six-Million-Year Story of How Words Evolved (https://amzn.to/4dDd8E1).
INDEED: Get a $75 SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to get your jobs more visibility at https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING Support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Indeed.com/SOMETHING. Terms and conditions apply.
SHOPIFY: Sign up for a $1 per-month trial period at https://Shopify.com/sysk . Go to SHOPIFY.com/sysk to grow your business – no matter what stage you’re in!
MINT MOBILE: Cut your wireless bill to $15 a month at https://MintMobile.com/something! $45 upfront payment required (equivalent to $15/mo.). New customers on first 3 month plan only. Additional taxes, fees, & restrictions apply.