Name: Transcendence
Rating: 4.2 (250 reviews)
Author: Gaia Vince

What’s in it for me? A thorough look at human history.

A few short millennia ago, humans were marginal mammals, barely eking out an existence on the African savanna. Fast-forward to today, though, and we’ve become the dominant species on Earth. It’s an amazing ascent – but we didn’t do it alone.

These blinks tell the story of humanity’s rise by looking at our relationship with four crucial forces: fire, language, beauty, and time. This in-depth account of human history draws on fields like anthropology, environmental science, genetics, and psychology to understand how homo sapiens came to master the world around them.

In these blinks, you’ll learn

what to eat in the Australian outback;
how sundials set the tone for civilization; and
why you can’t banter with apes.

Our species is shaped by our environment, genetics, and culture.

When the British artist Neil Harbisson was born, he could only see shades of gray. Neil was diagnosed with achromatopsia, a genetic syndrome that limits the eye’s natural ability to perceive colors. But then things changed. At the time of writing, Harbisson can detect more colors than any human in the world.

In 2004, Harbisson had a special antenna implanted in his skull. This amazing piece of technology detects colors and transmits them directly to Harbisson’s brain as musical notes. With this device, he can “hear” a broader range of colors than any normal eye can see.

Harbisson’s ability sounds like science fiction. But the truth is, humans have always been enhanced by tools. Through our culture, we have created ways to complement our biology, and so we have thrived.

The key message here is: Our species is shaped by our environment, genetics, and culture.

Humans are undoubtedly among the most successful species on Earth. Today, there are billions of us spread out across every continent on the planet. Many of us live long, healthy lives, and our diverse, interconnected civilization produces everything from moving art to massive infrastructural systems.

So, how did we get here, while other animals remained in their natural niches? Well, our remarkable ascendance as a species is due to something called the evolutionary triad. This triad consists of three parts: our environment, our genetics, and our culture. The complex relationship between these elements is what allowed our species to transform itself – and the world at large.

Like all species, we emerged from the natural world. The geological and ecological systems on Earth provided the basic backdrop for our lives. Then, through natural selection, our species evolved unusual traits to navigate its environment. These are traits like bipedalism – walking on two feet – and complex vocal chords for speaking. Finally, we enhanced these traits with culture – the accumulated knowledge we pass down through generations.

Human culture has spawned countless innovations over the millennia. But four stand out as truly exceptional. First, there’s fire, which allows us to access more energy than our bodies can create on their own. Second is language, which helps us store and transmit information. Third is beauty, which provides our lives with meaning and structure. And last is time, which aids us in objectively and rationally studying the world around us.

In the next blinks, we’ll dive deeper into each of these four defining innovations.

Fire helped humans become smarter, more social, and more powerful.

On their own, ngardu seeds aren’t very appetizing. In fact, if improperly prepared, this Australian plant can be downright poisonous. Yet the Yandruwandha people, who are native to the outback, eat them all the time.

This aboriginal group knows the exact right process for grinding, straining, and, most importantly, cooking these seeds into nutritious bread. Their complex method was honed over generations and allowed them to thrive in an environment that would otherwise be too harsh for humans.

Language allowed humans to coordinate action and build lasting cultures.

Chimpanzees are astounding climbers, wonderful at grooming each other, and great at catching termites with sticks. But if you try talking with one, you’ll find they’re not the best conversationalists. So, why are we so much chattier than our closest primate relatives?

It’s partially due to the FOXP2 gene. This short bit of genetic code controls hundreds of different physical and cognitive traits associated with speech. Our version of FOXP2 is almost identical to that of chimps, but the small differences between ours and theirs give us a momentous edge when it comes to learning and using language.

Beauty and aesthetics provide humans with meaning and motivation.

Picture a person wearing a piece of jewelry. What do you see? Perhaps it’s a queen decked out with an elaborate crown and scepter. Maybe it’s a young woman flashing a shiny diamond engagement ring. Or it could be a pastor with a simple gold cross.

In all these cases, the accessories do more than just decorate. They tell a story about who each person is, what their values are, and where they belong in society. And the materials in each ornament have a deep connection to humanity’s history of travel, trade, and conquest.

Our understanding of time helps us engage with the world in a rational way.

Let’s travel 1.5 million years into the past. Somewhere in Africa, one of our ancient ancestors butchers an antelope carcass using a crude stone axe. She hews meat from bone and eats her fill. Then, she does something remarkable: as she walks away from the meal, she brings her axe with her to use again later.

In this scenario, the most amazing invention isn’t the stone in her hand. It’s something more intangible, located in her mind. It’s the very concept of “later.” While other primates would discard the tool after one use, this early human can conceive a future where the tool will be useful again. She understands time.

Key ideas in Transcendence