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The Artificial Ape: How Technology Changed the Course of Human Evolution

by Timothy Taylor

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602435,266 (3.45)None
"While Darwin's theory explains our common descent, scientists have grappled with the reasons why human evolution defies the principles of natural selection and why, although we dominate the planet, we have become the weakest ape. In this fascinating narrative, leading archaeologist Timothy Taylor proposes that it was our early adoption of tools, objects, and, now, technology that changed us, demonstrating how: - baby slings made out of animal fur freed up our arms up to use tools; - clothes kept us warm, reducing our need for body hair; - shelter protected us from the elements and led our bodies to become slighter and physically weaker. Drawing on the latest fossil evidence, Taylor shows how humans made choices that assumed greater control over their own evolution"--… (more)
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This is one of those great examples of an expert in their field distilling their life's work down into bite-sized chunks for the rest of us. It would definitely help if you're a closet anthropologist, but whatever. For some reason I was convinced this book would be about technology of the last 500 years, which seems really stupid in retrospect, especially considering the millions of years of evolution we have behind us.

ANYHOW, it's well worth a read anyways, even if it's not about computers and smartphones, because it's relevant to understanding our intimate relationship with technology, which applies to chipped bits of rock just AND your calculator watch. So there. ( )
1 vote liso | Sep 18, 2015 |
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"While Darwin's theory explains our common descent, scientists have grappled with the reasons why human evolution defies the principles of natural selection and why, although we dominate the planet, we have become the weakest ape. In this fascinating narrative, leading archaeologist Timothy Taylor proposes that it was our early adoption of tools, objects, and, now, technology that changed us, demonstrating how: - baby slings made out of animal fur freed up our arms up to use tools; - clothes kept us warm, reducing our need for body hair; - shelter protected us from the elements and led our bodies to become slighter and physically weaker. Drawing on the latest fossil evidence, Taylor shows how humans made choices that assumed greater control over their own evolution"--

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