On Humans

Dean Falk, a paleo-neurologist, dives into the intriguing complexities of human brain evolution. She challenges conventional wisdom about brain size and cognitive function, highlighting how bipedalism influenced anatomical changes. Falk also discusses the unique aspects of Einstein's brain and the significance of areas like Broca's area in language development. Through fascinating case studies, she unravels the intricate relationship between brain morphology and our evolutionary journey, shedding light on the mysteries that make us human.

I'm excited to announce that On Humans is launching a new series this fall! This one will explore the wonders of the human brain. The new episodes will drop throughout September and early October. To set the stage, we will revisit a conversation with neuroscientist Suzana Herculano-Houzel, newly re-edited and remastered. It’s the simplest and most elegant story I’ve heard about how our brains came to be — and it sets the stage for the debates to follow. Enjoy! DIG DEEPERHerculano-Houzel's book is called The Human Advantage.You can read a free episode breakdown at OnHumans.Substack.comFor more on human evolution, see the full series on the Origins of Humankind.SUPPORT THE SHOWYou can pledge your support at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/OnHumans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠KEYWORDS Human evolution | Brain evolution | Neuroscience | Biology | Anthropology | Cerebral Cortex | Neuron counting | Comparative neurology | Comparative biology | Comparative anatomy | Harry Jerrison | Paleoanthropology | Human origins |

Why did the great powers of Asia stagnate whilst Europe was rising? This question—often called the Great Divergence—is one of the most defining questions of modern history.Few case studies illuminate this question as well as the contrast between Britain and India. Did colonialism make Britain rich and India poor? Or was Britain’s rise already underway before conquest? And what does all this tell us about the everyday experiences of the people of on two sides of the divide?This episode is a live recording from the British Academy, where I was invited to speak at the launch of Bishnupriya Gupta’s An Economic History of India. I was honoured to give this talk on this exceptionally rich topic, speaking after some of the leading experts of India's history. How did I do? Share your thoughts in the comments at OnHumans.Substack.com.Enjoy!DIG DEEPERRead: See my article on the ⁠"Origins of Modern India⁠⁠". Complement with "Origins of Modern China" from last fall.Listen: Check out the two-part "⁠What About India?⁠" series from this February. Complement with the episode with Professor Tirthankar Roy this July.SUPPORT THE SHOWYou can pledge your support at ⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/OnHumans⁠⁠⁠⁠KEYWORDS Big history | Economic History | Why the West | Gunpowder empires | Mughals | Colonialism | Imperialism | British East India Company | European colonialism | History of Colonialism | Geographical Determinism | Environmental Determinism | Political History | Fiscal History | Great Divergence | Western Dominance | Early Modern History | Kenneth Pomerantz | Steven Broadberry

Andrea Matranga, an economic historian at the University of Torino, explores the intriguing connections between agriculture, climate change, and human history. He discusses the paradox of the Neolithic Revolution, where early farming led to harder lives for many. Delving into the crucial role of climate shifts, he explains why certain regions, like Sudan, didn’t adopt farming despite favorable conditions. Unexpectedly, this journey even ties back to the movements of Jupiter—a blend of history, environment, and celestial influences that reshapes our understanding of farming's origins.

Tirthankar Roy, a Professor at the London School of Economics and author of 'The Origins of Colonialism', delves into the intricate relationship between climate and colonialism. He argues that European powers initially focused on trade over governance, with local environmental factors playing crucial roles. Discussing British dominance in India, Roy highlights the strategic importance of coastal regions and how access to water shaped agriculture and state stability. He connects these insights to broader colonial dynamics, revealing the complexities of imperialism across Asia and Africa.

Jessica Thompson, a Yale professor and researcher at the Peabody Museum, unravels the intricate link between climate and human evolution. She discusses how ancient climate changes may have driven our ancestors from jungles to savannas, contributing to the development of tool use and meat-eating. The episode dives into the importance of fire, the nutritional benefits of bone marrow for brain development, and the impact of cultural adaptations in shaping modern humanity. It’s a thrilling exploration of resilience and the unpredictable nature of climate in our evolutionary journey.

Augustín Fuentes, a Princeton Professor of biological anthropology and author of 'Sex Is a Spectrum', discusses the complexities of human sex and gender. He challenges the binary view of male and female, emphasizing that biological categories are not so clear-cut. Their conversation touches on fascinating animal examples, from hermaphroditic worms to sex-changing fish, and critiques traditional gender roles in caregiving. Fuentes advocates for understanding sex and gender as a spectrum, prompting a deeper look at human nature and relationships.

Johannes Krause, Director of the Max Planck Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology, dives into humanity's journey from early Homo sapiens to modern civilization. He discusses the transformative Neolithic Revolution, the genetic interactions with Neanderthals, and the complexities of ancient heritages. Krause highlights the influence of horse-riding cultures from the Eurasian steppe on empires and the dichotomy of human expansion versus sustainability. His reflections on our evolutionary path challenge us to consider our future on this planet.

Johannes Krause, a leading expert from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, dives into the transformative science of ancient DNA. He explores the wild Ice Age world where Homo sapiens coexisted with Neanderthals and Denisovans. Topics include how climate changes shaped our ancestors' success, the intriguing genetic legacies we share, and the mysterious fate of Neanderthals. With a sprinkle of fantastical island tales and the complexities of human migration, Krause challenges conventional wisdom about our origins and evolution.

Join Chris Stringer, a leading paleoanthropologist at London's Natural History Museum, as he digs into the origins of our species. He unpacks the evolution of the genus Homo, including the surprising interbreeding with Neanderthals. Stringer also explores how diet shaped our expanding brains and the unique prolonged childhoods of Homo sapiens. Intriguingly, he discusses the significance of brow ridges in social signaling and how climate changes have shaped human development over millennia, drawing connections to modern environmental issues.