What makes us human?

[Randy]

Just looking at your DNA won’t tell you – the human genome is 99% identical to a chimpanzee’s and, for that matter, 50% to a banana’s. We do, however, have bigger brains than most animals – not the biggest, but packed with three times as many neurons as a gorilla (86bn to be exact). A lot of the things we once thought distinguishing about us – language, tool-use, recognising yourself in the mirror – are seen in other animals. Perhaps it’s our culture – and its subsequent effect on our genes (and vice versa) – that makes the difference. Scientists think that cooking and our mastery of fire may have helped us gain big brains. But it’s possible that our capacity for co-operation and skills trade is what really makes this a planet of humans and not apes.

 

[Smiley]

Religion. Blind fate at the unknown, at some magical deity or deities that can destroy us at will if we do not give our money to other humans pretending to be better than us because they never have sex, or at least claim so.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

Religion

I dont subscribe to any religion, does that make me an alien?

 

[Smiley]

Yes.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

Yes.

 

[Smiley]

Now you're just showing off.