A Myth of Human Superiority

Most of us grow up believing that humans were always destined to rule the Earth. We imagine our ancestors as the undisputed kings of the prehistoric wild. But if you look at the actual history as Yuval Noah Harari does in Sapiens, you find a much more humbling reality. For the vast majority of our history, we were ordinary. Here is the link to my Book Review. Below are some specific pieces of the book I wanted to explore more for thoughts on who we really are and what makes us special or just lucky.

1. Middle of the Pack

In sub-Saharan Africa, early Homo sapiens were not apex predators. We lived at the middle of the food chain, spending our days gathering plants, snacking on insects, and living in constant fear of creatures that were faster, stronger, and deadlier than we were.

We weren’t the hunters; we were the scavengers. There is archaeological evidence suggesting our primary niche was waiting for a lion to finish its kill and a hyena to pick the bones clean. Only then would we rush in to crack open the bones for the marrow. We weren’t special; we were just trying to survive the afternoon.

2. Just One Branch of the Tree

We often forget that Homo sapiens wasn’t the only “human” in the game. We were just one branch of a diverse family tree. Our cousins, the Neanderthals, were arguably better equipped for the physical world—they were stronger and had larger brains.

However, a larger brain is an “energy hog.” While Neanderthals focused on physical dominance, Homo sapiens possessed a biological makeup that prioritized a different kind of survival: social coordination. 

3. The Cognitive Edge

Our rise wasn’t due to a change in our biology; our bodies were more or less the same as those of other human species. The “revolution” was in our cognition. Because we could communicate more complex ideas and reason more effectively, we developed the ability to create and share myths. Whether it was a shared belief in a spirit, a tribe, or a specific set of rules, these “fictions” allowed us to form tighter, larger communities than any other animal.

The Bottom Line

We weren’t “designed” to be masters of the planet. We started as an insignificant ape with a slightly different set of survival skills. Our dominance isn’t a result of physical superiority, but of our unique ability to imagine things that don’t exist and work together to make them real.

Author: kwholley63

I spent 40 years in FinTech before retiring to Rio de Janeiro to trade software releases for a front-row seat to the beautiful absurdity of life in Brazil. This blog is my digital porch, a place for unpolished commentary on book reviews, daily gripes, and the random thoughts of a guy who finally has the time to pay attention. I’m an observant realist with a deep appreciation for history, a good quote, and the perspective that only comes after the career ends. I write to stay sharp, to stay honest, and to keep the conversation going. I love my Patriots and Bruins, a life long fan in bad times and good. They have been quite good for a long time now! I love spending time with my wife the best times are just doing nothing; watching tv, talking or just sitting at the beach together for a few hours. Our spot is pier 60 in Clearwater. I love the time I have with my kids when I can, they are all pretty busy. Seinfeld is about the best comedy ever. You will see me frequently comment on the show and why my blog is about nothing.