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Homo Sapiens: From Whence We Came
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The scientific name for humans is Homo sapiens, derived from the Latin homo meaning "man," and sapiens, meaning "wise." Human evolution is still in its infancy. Until about 12,000 years ago, we lived as hunter-gatherers, leading nomadic lives and experiencing ourselves as just another species. We were both predators and prey, contributing to the symbiosis of the natural world. With the evolution of the cerebral cortex, we developed speech, written language, and self-awareness. Intelligence gave rise to civilization, separating us from the natural world. Our advanced hunting skills and weaponry made us the planet's dominant predator. However, we also inherited an overwhelming aggression toward our species.
"For most of human history, our brains dealt with pretty much straightforward problems. We looked for food, and we tried not to get eaten in the process. We hunted and gathered, and that was it for the last 50,000 years. That brain is the exact one we now use to post pictures of our pets on social media, fill out Excel spreadsheets, and worry about the next payments on our credit cards. It is not surprising that our brains sometimes get overloaded in this hugely complex modern world, anxiety, stress, and depression." (Curiosity Stream: The Imperfect Brain).
Evolutionary science has linked us to our closest DNA relative, the great apes, particularly the chimpanzee. Chimpanzees' behavior eerily resembles that of humans. We share much of our DNA with them, which explains the aggressive territorial behavior that humans possess. In this manuscript, I will expose the darker side of human history, highlighting the extraordinary aggression we have displayed toward one another. Despite calling ourselves a "civilized" species, defined as having a well-developed system of government, culture, and fairness, our history tells a different story. A "civilized society" is supposed to treat its people fairly, with justice at its core. We also describe ourselves as "humane," which implies compassion and care for both humans and animals. Yet, when we look at the scope of human behavior over the past 12,000 years, it becomes difficult to use either "humane" or "civilized" to describe us accurately.
We don't like to think of ourselves as just another animal, often using the word "animal" to describe cruel or undesirable behavior. However, we are animals. History demonstrates humanity's potential for extreme cruelty and aggression, toward each other and the natural world. |
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