What lies at the core of human progress?
This episode sets the scene for all human innovation. For 3.5 million years, humans and our ancestors were stuck in the Stone Age.
We cover:
- What were we busy with for 97% of our existence?
- Why were we so slow at innovating?
- How did we eventually overcome these fundamental forces?
From personal pressures to global forces, we trace the blocks on human development. The answers hold many insights for today when we think about innovation and how to make progress..
This episode is ground zero as we begin our expedition through history and the creation of our modern world.
ABOUT
This show is an independent podcast on a mission.
It is written, recorded, re-recorded, rewritten and re-re-recorded entirely by Sam Webster Harris.
He also makes the music.
Designs were crafted by Francisca Correia.
Chapters:
00:00 The Hand Axe Conundrum
01:53 Episode Goals
03:45 #1 - SURVIVAL
04:21 Energy requirements
06:30 Time Scarcity
08:59 Risk and Psychological Safety
11:17 #2 - Culture
12:41 Why people hate new ideas
15:25 The Grandmother Hypothesis
16:21 Widowhood statistics
17:46 Kaulong Tribe Widow killing
19:27 Catalhayuk - 1000 years of stasis
20:36 #3 - Knowledge
22:42 Losing knowledge
24:04 Maths
24:52 Communication and Language
25:53 Ice Age Picasso Paradox
27:06 #4 - Mobility Constraints
28:05 Nomadism
30:22 Racism, war, and travel complications
32:07 Trade Issues
34:02 Feasting examples
35:39 Eurasia vs America Development
37:45 #5 - Population Density
39:20 Evolution of Multicellular Life
41:48 Dunbars Number
43:43 Mortality Rates
46:37 Historical demographics
48:18 Lessons - How we beat the 5 locks
51:47 Conclusion - Innovation isn't about Geniuses
54:36 REFLECTIONS - Innovation cycles
57:43 Modern Innovation Blockers
01:06:01 What can you do
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