Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas

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47 | Adam Rutherford on Humans, Animals, and Life in General

May 20, 2019

Guest

Adam Rutherford

In a captivating conversation, geneticist Adam Rutherford, author of 'Humanimal,' investigates what truly makes us human. He discusses the surprising similarities between humans and other animals, such as tool use and complex behaviors. The dialogue also highlights how genetic insights, like those from the Human Genome Project, reshape our understanding of human evolution. From our chromosomal journey to the richness of cultural dynamics, Rutherford reveals that the lines separating humans and animals are blurrier than we think. Prepare to rethink everything!

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INSIGHT

Intermingling Hominins

DNA analysis revolutionized our understanding of human history by revealing genetic intermingling between Homo sapiens and other hominins like Neanderthals.
This challenges traditional species definitions and highlights the limitations of rigid taxonomic classifications.

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INSIGHT

Defining Life

Defining life by its actions (extracting and using energy) is more helpful than abstract definitions.
This approach helps understand life's origins and processes, like metabolism, better than focusing on static characteristics.

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ANECDOTE

Homo Sapiens' Journey

Homo sapiens originated in Africa roughly 300,000 years ago, later migrating out in waves.
This migration, taking thousands of years, led to interactions and genetic exchange with other hominin groups like Neanderthals and Denisovans.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Genetics and Human Evolution

02:58 • 14min

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Redefining Life: From Planets to Physics

16:44 • 11min

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Unraveling Human Origins

27:44 • 7min

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Chromosomal Evolution and Human Uniqueness

34:29 • 24min

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Population Dynamics and Cultural Complexity

58:36 • 6min

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The Interconnected Nature of Innovation and Genius

01:04:31 • 3min

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Redefining Human Uniqueness

01:07:36 • 8min

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The Fire Within: Insights from Nature and Evolution

01:15:34 • 23min

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Symbiosis in cell evolution

Lynn Margulis

In 'Symbiosis in Cell Evolution', Lynn Margulis presents a groundbreaking perspective on the role of symbiosis in the evolution of eukaryotic cells. She argues that symbiogenesis, the process by which different organisms integrate to form new species, is a major source of evolutionary innovation. The book delves into the genetic and metabolic interactions of bacterial communities that became protists, eventually evolving into animals, plants, and fungi. Margulis's work challenges traditional views of evolution by emphasizing cooperation over competition.

Humanimal

Adam Rutherford

Humanimal explores the evolutionary journey of Homo sapiens, highlighting how an 'otherwise average ape' developed capabilities for complex tools, art, music, science, and engineering. The book synthesizes the latest research in genetics, anthropology, and ecology to understand what makes humans both ordinary animals and extraordinary beings. It reveals that many behaviors once thought unique to humans are also found in other species, yet human culture remains uniquely complex.

#933

• Mentioned in 23 episodes

scale

This sound

Jeffrey West

The novel centers on two Chinese American siblings on the lam after their sometimes abusive father dies, leaving them to survive in a dreamscape that blends historical and mythological elements. The story is narrated by a sister whose gender is more fluid and includes elements of ghost narratives, gold, and tigers. Zhang's work challenges the traditional white-centered narratives of the American West, incorporating elements of her own cultural background and childhood experiences.

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• Mentioned in 2 episodes

How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming

Mike Brown

Mike Brown's "How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming" is a witty and insightful account of the author's role in the reclassification of Pluto as a dwarf planet. Brown, a leading astronomer, recounts the scientific discoveries that led to the debate surrounding Pluto's planetary status. He explains the complexities of planetary definitions and the process of scientific consensus-building. The book is written in a conversational style, making it accessible to both scientific experts and the general public. Brown's personal experiences and reflections add a human element to the story, making it engaging and thought-provoking. The book has been praised for its humor, clarity, and its contribution to the public understanding of science.

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The descent of man and selection in relation to sex

Charles Darwin

In this book, Darwin argues that humans, like other species, evolved from pre-existing forms and discusses the role of sexual selection in the evolution of species. The book is divided into two main parts: the first part addresses the evolution of man, including anatomical and mental similarities between humans and other animals, while the second part focuses on sexual selection, explaining how it influences the development of secondary sexual characteristics in various species, including humans. Darwin also explores topics such as evolutionary psychology, ethics, and the differences between human races and sexes, although some of his views on these subjects have been criticized for their racist and sexist overtones.

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• Mentioned in 59 episodes

Guns, germs, and steel

The Fates of Human Societies

Fabián Chueca

Jared DIAMOND

(MEI )DAI MENG DE (Diamond J. ) XIE YAN GUANG YI

In this book, Jared Diamond explains why Eurasian and North African civilizations have survived and conquered others. He argues that differences in societal development arise primarily from geographical causes. The book details how agricultural societies developed immunities to deadly diseases, advanced in technology, and formed centralized political structures, ultimately leading to the conquest of other societies. Diamond also discusses the impact of germs, domesticated animals, and environmental factors on human history.

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• Mentioned in 87 episodes

The selfish gene

Lalla Ward Richard Dawkins

Richard Dawkins

In 'The Selfish Gene', Richard Dawkins presents a gene-centred view of evolution, arguing that genes are the primary units of selection and that they behave selfishly to ensure their own replication. The book explains concepts such as kin selection, inclusive fitness, and the evolutionarily stable strategy, highlighting how these mechanisms can lead to altruistic behaviors in organisms. Dawkins emphasizes that the 'selfishness' of genes is a metaphorical concept, describing their evolutionary consequences rather than any intentional behavior. The book has been influential in shaping modern evolutionary thought and remains relevant today.

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Self Comes to Mind

Antonio Damasio

In 'Self Comes to Mind: Constructing the Conscious Brain', Antonio Damasio presents a pathbreaking investigation into the creation of consciousness. He argues that consciousness is not separate from the body but is a biological process rooted in the integration of body and brain networks. The book explores the evolution of consciousness, from the proto-self to the autobiographical self, and discusses the roles of emotions, feelings, and memory in this process.

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• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Mortal Republic

How Rome Fell into Tyranny

Edward Watts

In 'Mortal Republic,' Edward J. Watts provides a detailed history of the Roman Republic's collapse. He argues that the Republic's demise was not inevitable but rather the result of thousands of small wounds inflicted by Romans who assumed the system would last forever. Watts chronicles how Rome's leaders increasingly pursued individual gain and obstructed their opponents, leading to political violence, civil wars, and ultimately the rise of the imperial reign of Augustus. The book highlights the parallels between ancient Rome's political struggles and contemporary issues, such as wealth inequality, partisan gridlock, and the threat of centralized power.

#615

• Mentioned in 31 episodes

What Is Life?

Erwin Schrödinger

Written for the lay reader, 'What Is Life? ' is based on a series of public lectures delivered by Erwin Schrödinger in 1943 at Trinity College, Dublin. The book addresses the fundamental question of how living organisms can be understood in terms of their molecular and atomic structure. Schrödinger discusses the stability of genes, the concept of 'negative entropy,' and how life maintains order despite the second law of thermodynamics. He also speculates on the role of mutations, the nature of consciousness, and the philosophical implications of his findings. The book had a significant impact on the development of modern biology, influencing scientists such as James D. Watson and Francis Crick in their discovery of the DNA structure.

#8618

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

Creation

A Catholic’s Guide to God and the Universe

McGrath Institute for Church Life

John C. Cavadini

Christopher T. Baglow

#56178

A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived

Adam Rutherford

Elizabeth Garay

Siddhartha Mukherjee

This book delves into the genetic story of humans, exploring how genomics rewrites our understanding of history, from the Out of Africa hypothesis to modern genetic discoveries. It discusses topics like Neanderthal interbreeding, the myth of race, and the complexities of genetic inheritance. Rutherford presents complex scientific concepts in an accessible and engaging manner.

Most people in the modern world — and the vast majority of Mindscape listeners, I would imagine — agree that humans are part of the animal kingdom, and that all living animals evolved from a common ancestor. Nevertheless, there are ways in which we are unique; humans are the only animals that stress out over Game of Thrones (as far as I know). I talk with geneticist and science writer Adam Rutherford about what makes us human, and how we got that way, both biologically and culturally. One big takeaway lesson is that it’s harder to find firm distinctions than you might think; animals use language and tools and fire, and have way more inventive sex lives than we do. Adam Rutherford received his Ph.D. in genetics from University College London. He has written numerous books on genetics, evolution, synthetic biology, human history, and the origin of life. His most recent book is Humanimal: How Homo Sapiens Became Nature’s Most Paradoxical Creature — A New Evolutionary History. (Published in the UK with the more manageable title The Book of Humans: The Story of How We Became Us.) He frequently appears on and hosts science programs for the BBC on both radio and television, including Inside Science for BBC Radio 4. BBC Bio Page Articles at The Guardian Wikipedia Amazon.co.uk author page Talk on “What Makes Us Human” Twitter See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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