TED Talks Daily What separates us from chimpanzees? | Jane Goodall
63 snips
Oct 2, 2025 
In this thought-provoking discussion, Jane Goodall, a renowned primatologist and humanitarian, explores the thin line between humans and chimpanzees. She reveals that our advanced language is what truly sets us apart. Goodall highlights the complex social lives of chimps, their tool use, and cultural transmission, challenging human exceptionalism. She also discusses the threats facing chimpanzee populations, the importance of young activism through her Roots & Shoots program, and the urgent need for environmental responsibility and global awareness.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Discovery Of Chimp Tool Use
- Jane Goodall recounts finding David Greybeard using grass to fish termites and modifying twigs as tools.
- That discovery challenged the notion that only humans made and used tools.
Culture Extends Beyond Humans
- Chimpanzee tool traditions vary by region and transmit across generations.
- This cultural transmission blurs the line between humans and other primates.
Emotional Complexity In Chimps
- Chimpanzees display long childhoods, social bonds, emotions, and self-recognition.
- These capacities undermine a sharp human/animal divide and demand new respect.