Jonathan Kennedy

As recent history has shown us, human societies can prove surprisingly frail in the face of a tiny, yet powerful force: the microbes that cause infectious disease. Speaking with Matt Elton, Jonathan Kennedy explores the myriad ways in which pandemics have shaped the course of human history.(Ad) Jonathan Kennedy is the author of Pathogenesis: How Germs Made History (Torva, 2023). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pathogenesis-infectious-diseases-shaped-history/dp/1911709062/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jonathan Kennedy, author of "Pathogenesis: A History of the World in Eight Plagues," delves into how pathogens have intricately molded humanity. He reveals that bacteria far outnumber humans and even contribute to our DNA. Kennedy discusses the role of gut microbiota in our moods and behavior and highlights how Neanderthal interactions have fortified our immunity. The transition to agriculture, he notes, sparked progress while unleashing lethal pandemics. Explore the profound legacies of diseases from the past and their enduring implications for our society.